BJ Jones Artistic Director of Northlight | Official Website
BJ Jones Artistic Director of Northlight | Official Website
The listed appropriations included grants of $872,523 and $300,000 if two, each designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.
These appropriations represent 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 1974 by Gregory Kandel, Northlight Theatre states that its mission is: “Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences. We seek to entertain, enlighten, and electrify our audiences through contemporary dramas, intimate musicals and refreshed classics. We are fearless in our commitment to champion new work, and to provide a nurturing and creative home for our artists. We are relentless in our pursuit of excellence through our productions, our business practices, our outreach, and our education. Northlight Theatre reflects our community to the world and the world to our community.”
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 $9,718,850 in total revenue. Of that, $4,823,740 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 49.6% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $8,300,130 in contributions overall. It also reported $3,376,670 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Northlight Theatre had $9,462,460 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $15,468,200, indicating a significant 63.5% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Northlight Theatre surged in the last year. The group received $1,319,230 in government grants in 2023, compared to $4,823,740 in 2024—an increase of 265.6% 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.
Northlight Theatre 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.
| Fiscal Year | Total Grants/Contracts | Total Taxpayer $$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | $1,172,523 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Blythe Mcgarvie | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Bob Silverman | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Carole Cahill | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Christy Callahan | Trustee - Part Year |
| 2024-2024 | Craig Smith | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Dennis Marino | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Diana Cohen | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Donna Frett | Board Vice President |
| 2024-2024 | E Faye Butler | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Eric Witherspoon | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Freddi Greenberg | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | J Douglas Gray | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | James Joseph Allen | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Jennifer Christensen | Board Vice President |
| 2024-2024 | Julie Chernoff | Board Vice President |
| 2024-2024 | Kelly Ryan | Trustee - Part Year |
| 2024-2024 | Kent Swanson | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Mark Mccarville | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Michelle Rogers | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Michelle Jordan | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Paul Lehner | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Paul Epner | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Percy Berger | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Rahul Roy | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Reetu Gowdar Sanders | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Robert Regan | Board Chairman |
| 2024-2024 | Ron Chada | Trustee - Part Year |
| 2024-2024 | Tim Evans | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Timothy J Evans | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Tobi Laczkowski | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | Tom Stringer | Trustee |
| 2024-2024 | William H Jones Iii | Artistic Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Kelli Kovach | - | |
| 2010 | Christine Sciortino | Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor And Costume Intern | - |
| 2004 | Bruch T Reed | - | |
| 2003 | Susan T Mcelhaney | - | |
| 1987 | Carolyn Blackington | - |
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