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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Inside Oak Park Regional Housing Center—an Illinois DOGE Profile

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Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Building | https://www.chicagotribune.com/

Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Building | https://www.chicagotribune.com/

Oak Park Regional Housing Center, a tax-exempt nonprofit that receives significant public funding to perform services also offered by the state, was approved to receive a $300,000 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 1972 by Roberta Raymond, Oak Park Regional Housing Center states that its mission is: “To achieve vibrant communities and promote intentional and stable residential integration throughout Oak Park and the region.”

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 $1,446,080 in total revenue. Of that, $887,868 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 61.4% of total revenue.

The nonprofit listed $1,438,720 in contributions overall. It also reported $550,601 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.

At the beginning of 2024, Oak Park Regional Housing Center had $1,072,140 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $2,314,940, indicating a significant 115.9% growth in overall holdings.

According to its filing, public funding to Oak Park Regional Housing Center declined in the last year, falling from $1,502,350 in 2023 to $887,868 in 2024—a decrease of 40.9% year-over-year.

However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center 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.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center 990 Filing – Key Officers
TermNameTitle
2024-2024Athena WilliamsExecutive Director
2024-2024Kimberly AugustineDirector
2024-2024Mark A WilsonDirector
2024-2024Tracey Lynne WikTreasurer
2024-2024Tracey RoyalPresident
2024-2024Victoria M VannSecretary
Oak Park Regional Housing Center Employee Roster (Most Recent Year Available)
YearNameTitleCompensation
2024Carol L BrownAffirmative Marketing Specialist And Rental Advisor-
2024John & Heather AlgerFinder Of Apartments-
2024John Marie Mudd JrHousing Manager Counseling-
2024Michael StewartMarketing Director And Technical Assistance-
2018Derrick LewisMarketing Communications Specialist-
2016Emma Rigney GrahamOffice Management-
2016James R BreymaierExecutive Director-
2016Julia Ann Epplin-ZapfRental Housing Advisor-
2015Linda J ManeringRental Housing Counselor-
2014Angela CurryIntern-
2014Eric R LindbergFront Desk Associate-
2013Morgan Patrice MansaHousing Policy Director-
2013Rebecca W MckinneyHousing-
2011Martin MoralesHud Certified Housing Counselor-
2009Jennifer Lauren PallasHousing Counselor-
2007Arthur Lee Mitchell IiiMarketing Intern-
-Arthur J MurnanOak Park Apartment Guide-
-Athena S WilliamsAustin Ascending Program Director-
-Catalina AguirreRental Housing Advisor-
-Cheryl Ann WisniewskiDevelopment Director-
-Dale Marie JohannessonRental Housing Advisor-
-Gretchen WorleyOak Park Apartment Guide-
-James M ChampelliAdministrative Support-
-Jerry H EhernbergerSenior Rental Housing Advisor-
-Judith L ComptonAdministrative Support-
-Louise M VarnesRental Housing Advisor-
-Michele Rodriguez TaylorProgram Director-
-Nina A DiehlVolunteer-
-Sharon EckhoffAdministrative Support-
-Stephanie L KrivusVolunteer-
-Stuart B JamiesonCommunity Engagement And Support Specialist-

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