Rebeccah Lanni, Deputy Director at Illinois Prison Project | illinoisprisonproject.org
Rebeccah Lanni, Deputy Director at Illinois Prison Project | illinoisprisonproject.org
This appropriation represents state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 2019 by Jennifer Soble, Illinois Prison Project states that its mission is: “Through advocacy, public education, and direct representation of thousands of needlessly incarcerated people, we bring hope to and fight in community with incarcerated people and their loved ones for a brighter, more humane, more just system for us all.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $1,509,070 in total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $1,509,070 in contributions overall. It also reported $1,509,070 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Illinois Prison Project had $964,447 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $918,907, indicating a 4.7% decline in overall holdings.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Illinois Prison Project is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Jamelia Natasha Morgan | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jeanne Bishop | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jennifer R Soble | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Leonard Goodman | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Maria Elvira Hawilo | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Melissa Kate Mitchell | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Preeya Pavamani Hughes | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Reena Sikdar | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sara Zoya Weiss | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sarah C Grady | President |
| 2024-2024 | Sheila Bedi | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Veena Raji | Director |
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