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Saturday, September 13, 2025

State-funded Nonprofit Spotlight: Peer Services

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Peer Services Logo | peerservices.org

Peer Services Logo | peerservices.org

Peer Services, a tax-exempt nonprofit that receives significant public funding to perform services also offered by the state, was approved to receive two grants totaling $350,000 in FY2024, according to passed legislation data extracted from the Illinois General Assembly’s FY2024 budget (Public Act 102-6 0698).

The listed appropriations included grants of $250,000 and $100,000 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 1975, Peer Services states that its mission is: “PEER Services reduces the harms of substance use, addiction and stigma by engaging youth and adults with innovative prevention programming and by supporting people on their path to recovery through holistic, evidence-based treatment. We provide affirming services to all in need, regardless of their ability to pay.”

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 $2,121,660 in total revenue. Of that, $1,042,190 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 49.1% of total revenue.

The nonprofit listed $1,265,810 in contributions overall. It also reported $149,113 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.

At the beginning of 2024, Peer Services had $1,258,600 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $1,182,140, indicating a 6.1% decline in overall holdings.

According to its filing, public funding remained fairly steady year-over-year, changing from $1,083,750 in 2023 to $1,042,190 in 2024 (a difference of 3.8%).

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

Peer Services 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.

State of Illinois Approved Grants to Peer Services
Fiscal YearTotal Grants/ContractsTotal Taxpayer $$
20242$350,000
Peer Services 990 Filing – Key Officers
TermNameTitle
2024-2024Aaron WhetstoneTreasurer
2024-2024Joseph AlgerVice-Chair
2024-2024Judy Beth AshworthDirector
2024-2024Melissa G SaclutiDirector
2024-2024Michael BaskinDirector
2024-2024Monica M WeedChair
2024-2024Norwil FrialExecutive Director
2024-2024T Conrad SelnickDirector
2024-2024Thomas S SchneiderSecretary
Peer Services Employee Roster (Most Recent Year Available)
YearNameTitleCompensation
2024Abigail Franklin McgohonIntern-
2024Christine E NelsonClinical Director-
2024Douglas Spencer ClarkeBoard Member-
2024Gina Marie MigliorePrevention Specialist-
2024Greg NelsonPrevention Specialist-
2024Julie A RomettyMat Counselor-
2024Margaret M MorrisCounselor-
2024Sergio HernandezBilingual Adolescent Counselor-
2024Sheri L Payne-SmithReceptiontist-
2019Caroline CrickPrevention Intern-
2018Katarina GrapsasPrevention Specialist-
2017Rebecca Miriam BrombergSocial Work Intern-
2017Stefanie Rose DominikAdolescent Program Clinical Intern-
2016Claire Kendra TobinStaff Therapist-
2016Dana S CohenLicensed Clinical Social Worker-
2016Olivia M MansourStaff Therapist-
2016Rachel Leigh BeckerIntern-
2015Anna ZarovskyGraduate Clinical Intern-
2015Barbara Herman BayneStaff Therapist - Healing Connections Program-
2015Justin MorganIpc Navigator-
2015Katherine A SlosburgPrevention Intern-
2015Meg GeorgeMat Counselor-
2015Sarah Virginia AnkerYoung Adult And Family Services Program Coordinator-
2014Chelsea S MccarthyAdolescent Counseling Intern-
2014Emily Elizabeth KatzAdolescent Counselor-
2014Hector HernandezBi-Lingual Therapist-
2014Katrina L HumphreysAdolescent Program Coordinator-
2014Megan R WilliamsAdolescent Program Coordinator-
2013Alexis Danielle Lessard-TemplinSocial Worker-
2012Mikki Jean GuerraClinical Social Work Intern-
2012Sara HaysClinical Social Work Intern-
2012Terri BukofzerAdolescent Counselor-
2011Aaron L SteinbrecherIntern-
2011Ashley Anna HuertaAdolscent Counselor-
2011Christina Louise FountainCounseling Intern-
2011Joyce L LoganPsychotherapist-
2010Amanda Catherine H FrankeCounselor-
2010Elizabeth J MadonnaIntern-
2010John Matthew MilnerAdolescent Substance Abuse Counselor Intern-
2008Claire Elizabeth BechardPrevention Program Coordinator-
2007Emmy WilsonPracticum Student-
2007Kyle William ThompsonOmt Coordinator-
2007Ronald Lee-
2006Anne Marie PurdySubstance Abuse Treatment Intern-
2006Sally Craig ChristensenPrevention Coordinator-
2005Lee E CurryStaff Therapist-
2004Stephen McmanusQa Specialist-
2003Monica WeitzelDrug And Alcohol Counselor Intern-
1990Yvon Lauren-
1988Gloria Ann TolerFinancial Analyst-
1987Thomas E HughesMultiple Positions-
1984Ken HeadSenior Programmer-

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