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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS

EIN 36-1911490 SPRINGFIELD, IL

Revenue 2024
$1,645,803
Expenses 2024
$1,304,769

As filed

Subsection
19
Classification
1000
Street
3300 CONSTITUTION DR

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Group exemption

The central organization of an IRS group exemption (group number 1661), covering 232 subordinate organizations. matched by us

The IRS lists each organization's group exemption number; we match a subordinate to its central organization by that number and the affiliation code the IRS assigns.

All 232 subordinates →

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE FRATERNAL, PATRIOTIC, HISTORICAL, AND EDUCATIONAL; TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN COMRADESHIP AMOUNG ITS MEMBERS; TO ASSIST WORTHY COMRADES; TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY AND HISTORY OF THE DEAD; AND TO ASSIST THEIR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE FRATERNAL, PATRIOTIC, HISTORICAL, AND EDUCATIONAL; TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN COMRADESHIP AMOUNG ITS MEMBERS; TO ASSIST WORTHY COMRADES; TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY AND HISTORY OF THE DEAD; AND TO ASSIST THEIR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS

  • THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT PROVIDES SERVICES TO VETERANS THROUGH A VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE. THE SERVICE OFFICE IS CO-LOCATED WITH THE VA REGIONAL OFFICE IN CHICAGO. THE SERVICE OFFICE WORKS TOGETHER WITH FIELD OFFICES OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, COUNTY VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND VFW POST SERVICE OFFICERS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SERVICE OFFICE ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL VETERANS, THEIR DEPENDENTS AND SURVIVORS WITHOUT REGARD TO ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP STATUS OR ERA OF SERVICE. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST.

  • THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT PROVIDES MEMBERSHIP SERVICES TO VETERANS BY HOLDING AN ANNUAL CONVENTION, INITIATING COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING RECOGNITION AWARDS, OFFERING REMEMBERANCE SERVICES, AND ISSUING A QUARTERLY NEWSPAPER.

  • THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS THE VOICE OF DEMOCRACY YOUTH ACTIVITY PROGRAM. THE VOICE OF DEMOCRACY PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES IN REGARDS TO A DEMOCRATIC AND PATRIOTIC-THEMED ESSAY. ESSAYS ARE THEN CHOSEN FOR SPECIAL RECOGNITION VIA AN AWARDS BANQUET AND SCHOLARSHIPS.

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • EUGENE BLACKWELL

    STATE COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • ROB BAILEY

    STATE SENIOR VICE COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • RYAN HIGGINBOTHAM

    STATE JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • JOSEPH SCOTT SWINFORD

    STATE ADJUTANT-QUARTERMASTER

    Total calculated
    $57,327
    From this org
    $57,327
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • BOBBY WELCH

    STATE CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • JAY HOFFMAN

    STATE JUDGE ADVOCATE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • DOUG JAMESON

    STATE SURGEON

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • GARY HOLMES

    STATE CHAPLAIN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • CATHY STUBBS

    STATE INSPECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • ZHI CHEN

    DISTRICT 3 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • EVAMARIE DUFF

    DISTRICT 4 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • MATHIUS CARTER

    DISTRICT 5 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • ROB BLAND

    DISTRICT 6 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • DAVID LONG

    DISTRICT 7 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • KENNETH MOREY

    DISTRICT 8 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • JOHN FINNEGAN

    DISTRICT 9 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • JOSH SEED

    DISTRICT 10 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • RICK HOBBS

    DISTRICT 11 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • TONY AVERS

    DISTRICT 12 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • BOB SHEHORN

    DISTRICT 13 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • AMIEE LOUER-WAGONER

    DISTRICT 14 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • CLARENCE CARAKER

    DISTRICT 15 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • WILLIAM BROWNE

    DISTRICT 16 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • JAMES THORNE

    DISTRICT 17 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

  • PAUL CRAVENS

    DISTRICT 18 COMMANDER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    20

The first 25 listed. Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $1,645,803
    Expenses
    $1,304,769
    Contributions
    $1,475,702
    Grants paid
    $41,079
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $1,164,947
    Expenses
    $1,358,372
    Contributions
    $1,009,394
    Grants paid
    $32,124
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $1,265,799
    Expenses
    $1,095,157
    Contributions
    $1,043,227
    Grants paid
    $81,343

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,117,711
    Expenses
    $1,055,858
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,617,937

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,287,389
    Expenses
    $976,811
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,629,289

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,002,399
    Expenses
    $1,047,709
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,041,909

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,379,308
    Expenses
    $1,219,955
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,377,412

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,261,176
    Expenses
    $1,567,509
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,125,076

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,625,926
    Expenses
    $1,619,341
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,351,944

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,993,226
    Expenses
    $2,005,564
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,410,984

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,234,358
    Expenses
    $2,136,490
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,415,617

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $2,190,883
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,264,974

  • 2011 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $2,309,219
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,117,159

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Form 990-N e-Postcard, tax year 2022

Tax period
1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023
Principal officer
Patrick Fissette
Mailing address
1094 Lake StHanover Park IL 60033
Website
www.vfw5151.us

As filed, from the IRS e-Postcard file of 26 October 2026. The IRS publishes only each organization's most recent postcard, so earlier years are not shown. A 990-N carries no financial detail. The postcard also gives the principal officer's address, which is not shown here.

Grants made

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Declared on its 2024 return

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility EO, GROUP.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.