Illinois DOGE Profile: South Suburban Special Recreation Association

South Suburban Special Recreation Association, a tax-exempt nonprofit that receives significant public funding to perform services also offered by the state, was approved to receive a $50,000 grant in FY2024, according to passed legislation data extracted from the Illinois General Assembly’s FY2024 budget (Public Act 102-6 0698).

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 1973, South Suburban Special Recreation Association states that its mission is: “To promote the power of choice and to enhance the quality of life of individuals of all abilities, by providing accessible recreation in an environment that promotes dignity, success, and fun.”

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 $1,390,620 in total revenue.

The nonprofit listed $1,291,410 in contributions overall. It also reported $48,656 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.

At the beginning of 2024, South Suburban Special Recreation Association had $2,126,830 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $2,254,190, indicating a 6% growth 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.

South Suburban Special Recreation Association 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.