TJ Blakeman, President u0026 Exhibits Committee Chair at Champaign County Historical Museum | LinkedIn
TJ Blakeman, President u0026 Exhibits Committee Chair at Champaign County Historical Museum | LinkedIn
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, Champaign County Historical Museum states that its mission is: “To share and celebrate history and innovations in Champaign County by stewarding and interpreting artifacts and promoting community-centered narratives through exhibits and inclusive educational programming.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Champaign County Historical Museum 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.
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Adele Mazurek Suslick | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Alan H Arnold | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Andi Grote | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Brian E Jurczyk | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Connor Michael Monson | Former Manager |
| 2024-2024 | Delora Siebrecht | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Erick Lamar Williams | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Harold E Balbach | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ian Wang | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Joe Muskin | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lindsay Nicole Andrews | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Perry Gene Morris | Vice President |
| 2024-2024 | Renee C Potter | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sara Johnson Bennett | Director |
| 2024-2024 | T J Blakeman | President |
| 2024-2024 | William Best | Manager |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Jon William Sweitzer-Lamme | Chair Of Collections Committee, Archivist | - |
| 1997 | Chantelle M Hougland | Museum Director | - |
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