2026-07-02T23:02:38-05:00 2025-12-31 363321958 Desmond & Ahern Ltd 10827 S Western Avenue Chicago IL 60643 990 2025-01-01 363134577 Law Center for Better Housing LAWC 3123477600 100 N LaSalle 2500 Chicago IL 60602 Mark Swartz Executive Director 3123477600 2026-07-02 1 Mel Padillo P03172019 7737794720 2026-07-02 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Mark Swartz 100 N LaSalle 2500 Chicago IL 60602 5486712 0 X www.lcbh.org X 1981 IL Legal representation, legal advocacy, education & outreach for low & moderate-income renters. 14 14 53 47 0 0 5413774 5420885 39325 17500 32427 18004 3370 7537 5488896 5463926 0 0 0 0 3429739 3796089 0 0 305462 1731960 1780457 5161699 5576546 327197 -112620 4695818 4564855 1327523 1239343 3368295 3325512 X To promote the rights of renters to safe, accessible, and affordable housing on a non-discriminatory basis through education, outreach, supportive services, advocacy, and legal representation. 0 0 4618903 33186 Tenants Advocacy Program provides a trusted advocate for renters in and out of court, and incorporates all of the services LCBH provides directly for tenants as a continuum of services and care.*Legal representation for eviction defense*Legal representation for renters living in foreclosed buildings *Representation without litigation-legal counsel and negotiations outside of court*Pro Bono support-LCBH volunteer and intern program to increase direct service capacity*Foreclosure Counseling-assistance to renters who are living or believe they are living in a foreclosed building*Supportive Services to help LCBH clients most vulnerable to homelessness achieve housing stability*Brief services and Pro Se help-assistance with renter self-representation*Resource information provided by chatbot at rentervention.com 75692 Affordable Housing Preservation (AHPP) helps preserve vitality and affordability in Chicago's neighborhoods through legal services that assist renters and community-based organizations in their efforts to improve poor living conditions and keep buildings occupied when they are at risk of being vacated due to unsafe conditions, changes in ownership, or court action such as foreclosure. *Legal representation and advocacy that saves affordable housing units*Tenant organizing to improve building conditions*Coordinated collaboration with community-based partners 75692 Education, Outreach and Public Policy Program provides outreach and education to empower various stakeholders with the knowledge they need to advocate for themselves or on behalf of renters. Public policy efforts are collaborations with a variety of stakeholders on issues ranging from equal justice in the courtroom, efforts to reduce homelessness, and efforts that preserve or increase affordable housing in Chicago. *Tenant education and outreach efforts to assist renters living in large buildings*Legal advocates training*Community advocates training*Fair Housing Education*Collaborations on policy efforts to affect systemic change 4770287 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 1 53 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 14 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 IL X X Cynthia Fox 3127843514 100 N LaSalle 2500 Chicago IL 60602 Geoff Cockrell President 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Jessica Panza Vice President 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Colin Cordes Treasurer 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Collette Allison Woghiren Secretary 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Andrew Harrison Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Anthony Hopp Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Brett Barnett Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Christopher Thompkins Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Crystal Ding Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Felicia Shakespeare Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Louis DiSanto Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Richard Astle Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Ryan A Lee Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Shiva Kooragayala Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Mark Swartz Executive Director 40.00 X 133971 0 10670 Michelle Gilbert Legal & Policy Director 40.00 X 120481 0 15496 Don Hailey Development & Comms Director 40.00 X 106100 0 8189 Aileen Flanagan Supervising Attorney 40.00 X 103031 0 7847 Jonathon Raffensperger Supervising Attorney 40.00 X 101818 0 7930 565401 0 50132 5 0 0 0 0 60255 4664650 695980 5420885 Attorney and court fee 541100 17500 17500 17500 16563 16563 2272 831 1441 1441 1441 13806 60255 21955 -8149 -8149 Other 900099 15686 15686 15686 5463926 33186 0 9855 X 143880 128064 4810 11006 3151075 2792131 107462 251482 42582 38946 1248 2388 210399 192680 6123 11596 248153 226967 7271 13915 5436 2385 3031 20 1366796 1203989 161747 1060 940 940 22613 13397 4280 4936 8815 2607 6208 168945 75353 93592 22954 6671 14573 1710 27893 27893 44352 22439 21913 Repairs & Maintenance 103422 64497 33116 5809 Miscellaneous 4721 100 4104 517 Bad Debt 3221 3221 Dues & Subscriptions 349 61 205 83 5576546 4770287 500797 305462 420056 1128221 193867 634356 2451130 1189447 13348 9453 192932 122344 86199 70588 531061 660994 1000157 871796 4695818 4564855 345152 409070 9540 5040 972831 825233 1327523 1239343 X 1837186 2487502 1531109 838010 3368295 3325512 4695818 4564855 -112620 69837 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 2943773 3667796 5617827 5432240 5420885 23082521 2943773 3667796 5617827 5432240 5420885 23082521 2247143 20835378 39752 45574 45647 32427 18004 181404 5366 32255 5805 7614 15686 66726 23330651 305175 0.89300 0.85400 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 1000 1000 4769287 4770287 388514 97129 0 0 388514 388514 582771 1000 1000 97129 97129 145694 0 1 X 547107 50000 86971 23084 660994 461342 113475 21282 547107 389468 87463 461342 468211 -78746 389465 384904 83307 468211 0.48860 0.51140 0 0 187932 117344 70588 5000 5000 0 70588 Security deposits 38337 Operating lease right-of-use asset 833459 871796 Operating lease liability 825233 825233 X 6346431 69837 812668 882505 5463926 0 5463926 6389214 812668 812668 5576546 0 5576546 Part IV, Line 2b: The Organization receives damage and settlement awards and distributes proceeds to the injured parties. Part V, Line 4: Supports legal internships or fellowships for law students or recent law graduates in services to low-income tenants. Part X, Line 2: FIN 48 Note from Audited Financial Statements The Law Center for Better Housing was granted an exemption from federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Organization qualifies for the charitable contribution deduction and has been classified as an organization that is not a private foundation. The tax-exempt purpose of the Organization and the nature in which it operates is described above. Management's assertion is that there are no uncertain tax positions and the Organization continues to operate in compliance with its tax-exempt purpose. The Organization's annual information and income tax returns filed with the federal and state governments are subject to examination generally three years after they are filed. Fall Benefit & Town Hall 74061 60255 13806 11897 10058 74061 60255 13806 11897 10058 21955 -8149 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The document is initially reviewed by members of our finance and executive committees of the board, before being sent to the full board, for any final edits or comments. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c When situations arise involving potential conflicts of interest, the Executive Director consults with the President and the Executive Committee as necessary to resolve or avoid the conflict of interest. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 All salaries are approved by the Executive Director and then by the Board of Directors based on job performance and comparable data provided within the legal aid community. The Executive Director's salary is solely approved by the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The Organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available upon request. Form 990, Part IX, line 11g Contract / Professional Fees: Program service expenses 127,285. Management and general expenses 161,747. Fundraising expenses 1,060. Total expenses 290,092. Subcontracts: Program service expenses 1,076,704. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 1,076,704. Form 990, Part XII, line 2c: The process has not changed from the prior year.