Prairie State Wire

A group of Illinois House Republicans called for fiscal reforms during a May 13 press conference that addressed taxpayer-funded abuse by politically connected non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—with the lawmakers citing information reported in the investigative series, Illinois DOGE. 

The group referenced reporting in the Illinois DOGE series—a collaboration between Local Government Information Services (LGIS), Breakthrough Ideas, and others—that appears in LGIS-owned publications, including Chicago City Wire, Prairie State Wire and over 30 other state journals.

“Today we're here to identify programs and projects that have wasted over $1 billion and that's the reason why Illinois DOGE has been created,” State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) said. 

Led by Miller, members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus and like-minded lawmakers detailed how state funds are increasingly being directed to advocacy organizations that are not subject to public accountability requirements. 

“We're 18 days away from adjournment and likely to vote on the largest budget in Illinois history, at over $55 billion,” Miller said. “That’s approximately 40% higher than it was six years ago when Governor Pritzker came into office. Another fun fact: it’s far above even the rate of inflation.” 

“Right now, we have no idea what’s in the budget, and even most of the Democrats don’t know what's in it. If history repeats itself, which we can expect it will, there will be more taxpayer abuse and more 'spendocrats' spending money out of control.”

They highlighted examples of nonprofits receiving tens of millions in grants despite what they described as questionable programming, vague service descriptions and overt political activity.

The group of lawmakers noted that some organizations receiving substantial taxpayer support should be targeted for cuts, including the Indo-American Center, which Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) called to defund.

As part of its Illinois DOGE series, Chicago City Wire reported the Indo-American Center (IAC), based in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, has received over $25 million in state grants in two years. 

The organization promotes civic engagement, including voter registration for immigrants, regardless of legal status.

“This mission statement directly contradicts federal law,” Niemerg said. “This is a disgrace and a prime example of what should be cut in this year's budget.” 

Other groups, such as ONE Northside and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, have also received millions in grants, often for political advocacy, with some NGOs providing services that overlap with those of public agencies. 

Additionally, organizations focused on racial, ethnic, and religious causes are slated to receive $237 million in the 2025 budget. 

Despite the large sums allocated, there is little transparency regarding how these funds are being used, prompting calls for greater fiscal accountability.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) emphasized the structural flaws in funding these types of NGOs. 

“(NGOs) don’t have any accountability,” he said. “They’re not subject to FOIA [Freedom of Information Act], and so these are bad deals for taxpayers, because we don’t know that these functions are actually being done.” 

Amid growing concerns about transparency and accountability in the budget process, Halbrook questioned the lack of clarity in the proposed spending.

“The budget language is vague, and it’s on purpose,” he said. “These grants are buried under broad terms with little or no detail. Lawmakers are being asked to approve funding without knowing how the money will be used or even who’s getting it.”

As concerns grow over the allocation of taxpayer dollars, Halbrook argued that essential programs are being overshadowed by politically driven initiatives.

“The human services budget has been hijacked,” Halbrook said. “It used to mean helping seniors, helping single mothers, and people with disabilities. Now it’s packed with programs from politically aligned groups offering vague services like parent mentoring, immigrant support, LGBTQ advocacy, and many are race or identity-based initiatives that serve political agendas, not real need.”

Halbrook added that legitimate charitable efforts are being undermined as a result.  

“Faith-based groups and private charities are being pushed aside while politically connected NGOs scoop up taxpayer dollars,” he said. “The government is picking winners and losers and rewarding those who keep the majority party in power.” 

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) said the problem isn’t a lack of money but misplaced priorities. 

“JB Pritzker has increased spending by $17 billion, which, like Representative Miller says, is about 40 percent,” he said. “And the question that you guys need to be asked is: has anybody’s quality of life really increased with all that spending, with all these programs, and with all that time? I don’t think so—not unless you’re an illegal immigrant.”

Illinois taxpayers have spent an estimated $2.84 billion on services for illegal immigrants, excluding education costs. A significant portion of this spending includes $820 million for support services, $2 billion for healthcare costs and emergency funding requests, with illegal immigrants receiving healthcare benefits without contributing financially. 

Wilhour also pointed to Illinois’ commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies, citing Illinois' poor performance in education outcomes. 

“No amount of government spending is going to fix the system that’s built on the foundation of fraud and lies,” Wilhour said. “DEI—that’s what a lot of this stuff boils down to. It’s a fraud. Reasonable people know it. It’s being defunded at the federal level, but it’s been put at the forefront of every agency and every appropriation in this state for basically the last generation—and it’s failed.”

Rep. Jed Davis (R-Newark) announced a forthcoming alternative budget that would reduce state spending to $44 billion and return $1,500 to working families. 

“We have a priority problem,” Davis said. “I mean, this money isn’t ours, it’s yours—it is the people’s. So it’s time to put it back into their pockets and live by a simple principle, which is: spend less and live better.”

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), a small business owner, who is not a member of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, underscored the need for audits. 

“The kind of accounting used here would put any CFO in prison,” he said. “The budget hasn’t been balanced in years. What we’re witnessing is ‘demsplaining’ for tax increases — it’s worse than mansplaining.”

McLaughlin and others called for increased legislative oversight and independent audits of grant recipients. 

“These groups aren’t accountable,” McLaughlin said. “Some don’t even have functioning websites or physical offices. But they’re getting millions.” 

The lawmakers indicated they would release further data and documentation, including a detailed budget proposal and interactive heat maps showing where NGO funds are concentrated. 

“That’s the work of about three or four very diligent, independent, private citizens that are putting this stuff together,” Wilhour said. “We need the government to go in. Part of our job in the House of Representatives is supposed to be oversight. We’re supposed to be overseeing stuff. All we’re doing is rubber-stamping things to political friends.”

Miller closed the press conference by framing the issue as a fight over vision. 

“Right now all we do is lie, deflect, massage, manipulate the numbers, manipulate the story,” Miller said. 

“But Illinois has a vision problem because we need to compete to be number one. We need to look at the drivers that are driving people out of our state to Tennessee, Texas and Florida, and we need to adopt some of the same policies that they're adopting to bring people back to our state: to lower the tax rate, to lower the corporate tax rate, to make sure real estate taxes are reasonable, that all of our fees and services are reasonable, in line with these other places that are stealing our citizens away from us.” 

Illinoisans are encouraged to report the abuse of taxpayer funds through the Breakthrough Ideas tipline. Submissions will be considered for future coverage in the Illinois DOGE series. 

Illinois DOGE: Investigated organizations and total known Illinois grant funding uncovered

– Indo-American Center (IAC): $25+ million

Its government funding surged nearly 900% from 2012 to 2022, with over $25 million in state grants committed in just the past two years for infrastructure and housing-related projects. While operating as a nonprofit, IAC integrates political advocacy, including voter registration for immigrants regardless of status and relies heavily on taxpayer funds to deliver services that closely mirror those of public agencies.

– ONE Northside: $1.25 million

The political advocacy group focused on progressive causes received $1.25 million in state grants for 2024–25. The group, which conducts protests and activism in schools, does not provide direct services. 

– Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC): $11.4 million since 2020, $4 million for FY25

With $11.4 million in grants since 2020 and nearly $4 million this year alone, the IHCC helps undocumented business owners avoid deportation and lobbies for expanded DEI policies. Membership dues made up only $157,000 of its 2023 revenue. 

– Centro de Trabajadores Unidos (CTU): $4 million for FY25 + $3 million infrastructure

The East Side Chicago nonprofit has been awarded $4 million in 2025 grants—nearly four times its 2022 revenue. It offers legal support to undocumented immigrants, advises businesses on avoiding ICE enforcement, and received $3 million for office renovations.

– Black Researchers Collective: $700,000 annually

The group receives $700,000 annually to promote policies like slavery reparations and mass inmate release. Leaders of the Black Researchers Collectiv earn six-figure salaries.

– Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC): $1.5 million for 2024

CTC hosts LGBTQIA+ events and lobbies for transgender-inclusive hiring practices. Funding is classified under “violence prevention” and “building renovations.”

– TMH Mancave: $750,000 since 2024

Granted $750,000 through Illinois’ Build Illinois Bond Fund, despite historically reporting less than $50,000 annually. The group shares office space with founder Tytannie Harris’s private therapy practice and hosts monthly wellness meetings. 

– Local chambers of commerce and economic development non-profits: $73 million in 2025 budget

The Illinois FY 2025 Budget allocates over $73 million for local chambers of commerce and development non-profits, as outlined in SB 251 for the 103rd General Assembly. The report provides a closer look at one of the recipients, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and its funding.

– Racial, ethnic and religious NGOs: $237 million in 2025 budget

Many of these organizations receive multiple grants across different budget lines. Despite the significant taxpayer funding, there is limited transparency regarding how the money is being used.