Inside Urbana Free Library—an Illinois DOGE Profile

Urbana Free Library, 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 1874, Urbana Free Library states that its mission is: “We encourage learning and enrich lives by providing access to diverse resources and programs.”

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 $112,229 in total revenue.

The nonprofit listed $89,573 in contributions overall. It also reported $89,573 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.

At the beginning of 2024, Urbana Free Library had $753,361 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $777,471, indicating a 3.2% 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.

Urbana Free Library 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.