Skip to main content

Nonprofit · EIN 36-2167016

CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Also known as THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY

Tax-exempt · BROOKFIELD, IL 60513

Financials

$94.3M$75.5M2023$108M$78.4M2024$90.5M$85.5M2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
March 31, 2026990$90,541,500$85,502,432$5,039,068$329,655,000$96,426,000$233,229,000
March 31, 2025990$107,989,615$78,379,597$29,610,018$317,202,000$94,014,000$223,188,000
March 31, 2024990$94,260,071$75,495,346$18,764,725$265,240,000$70,637,000$194,603,000
Financial details: 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$45,300,998
of which government grants
$28,389,305
Program service revenue
$40,107,334
Investment income
$5,663,009
Net rental income
$104,059
Net gain from sales of assets
$2,003,722
Net income from fundraising events
-$649,600
Net income from gaming
$15,700
Other revenue
-$529,841

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$251,674
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$3,289,382
Other salaries and wages
$31,762,306
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$44,787,098
Professional fundraising fees
$20,648
Legal fees
$432,863
Accounting fees
$109,678
Occupancy
$2,994,706
Travel
$324,941
Depreciation
$10,137,412
Program services (functional)
$69,181,178
Management and general (functional)
$12,496,123
Fundraising (functional)
$3,825,131

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$317,202,000
Total assets, end of year
$329,655,000
Total liabilities, end of year
$96,426,000
Net assets, end of year
$233,229,000
Land, buildings and equipment
$181,167,681
Publicly traded securities
$63,409,000
Net assets without donor restrictions
$174,100,000
Net assets with donor restrictions
$59,129,000
Gross unrelated business income
$163,869
Gross receipts
$109,413,067
Employees
821
Volunteers
340
Year formed
1921
State of legal domicile
IL

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Dr Michael AdkessonPresident and CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$799,468$104,555
David E BurnsChief Financial and Admin. Officer
Key employee
40$398,912$33,544
Cathleen BrueggemannSr. VP Development
Key employee
40$331,482$19,063
Andrea S RodgersSr. VP Guest Experience Operations
Key employee
40$314,886$20,375
Heather BilcerVP Finance
Highest-paid employee
40$266,816$6,505
Dr Sathya K ChinnaduraiSr. VP Animal Health Welfare
Key employee
40$223,099$44,728
Jennifer L BaaderSr. VP Govt Affairs
Key employee
40$226,836$31,006
Rita VondraSr. VP Programs Impact
Key employee
40$246,641$10,226
Shannon HestonVP Information Tech thru 9/2025
Highest-paid employee
40$196,859$33,928
Randall WellsVP Marine Mammal Conservation
Highest-paid employee
40$199,050$29,086
Melissa LewkowichVP Risk Facilities Mgmt
Highest-paid employee
40$180,859$30,888
Anthony RayVP People Culture thru 9/2025
Highest-paid employee
40$179,901$13,029
Cherryl T ThomasChair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
William C Kunkler IIIDeputy Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Molly KellerFirst Vice Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
41 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Stan PepperSecond Vice Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
Elizabeth Hamill BramsenHonorary Vice Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
Bert A Getz JrHonorary Vice Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
John P GrubePast Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
Michael P EmmertTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
Randall G VickerySecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
Stuart B AbelsonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Walter W Becky IITrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Jennifer L BelliniTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Jay D BergmanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Edward McCormick Blair JrTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Barbara J BradfordTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
James A BryanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Melissa L Canning as of 62025Trustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Michael G CanningTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Dr Bonny ChenTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Rita Sola CookTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
JR Davis IIITrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Gregory J DiDomenicoTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Michael DraiTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Sunny ElebuaTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Merrick M ElfmanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Dr Lisa C FreemanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Matthew GambsTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Sasha L GerritsonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Darius A GillTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Barbara GraysonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Heidi HuizengaTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Kevin M KeeleyTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Kevin M KillipsTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Barbara Levy KipperTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Jerry ManneTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Tim OzingaTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Toni PreckwinkleTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Elizabeth S QuinnTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Benita S RomanoTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Kelley C SchuelerTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Patrick E WhitesideTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0
Mark G SanderTrustee thru 5/25
Trustee or director
2$0
John A CarpenterTrustee thru 10/25
Trustee or director
2$0
Michael F DeSantiagoTrustee thru 3/26
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended March 31, 2025: 57 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Dr Michael AdkessonPresident and CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$692,858$104,553
David E BurnsChief Financial and Admin. Officer
Key employee
40$388,865$83,409
Cathleen BrueggemannSr. VP Development
Key employee
40$317,613$47,262
Andrea S RodgersSr. VP Guest Experience Operations
Key employee
40$244,810$32,933
Jennifer L BaaderSr. VP Govt Affairs
Key employee
40$236,116$30,995
Dr Sathya K ChinnaduraiSr. VP Animal Health Welfare
Key employee
40$214,505$44,515
Sandra L DornheckerSr. VP Human Resources
Key employee
40$225,740$28,611
Randall WellsVP Marine Mammal Conservation
Highest-paid employee
40$194,171$29,015
Shannon HestonVP Information Technology
Highest-paid employee
40$181,871$39,066
Melissa LewkowichVP Risk Facilities Mgmt
Highest-paid employee
40$186,448$31,090
Heather BilcerVP Finance
Highest-paid employee
40$195,060$6,240
Jerome E JohnstonVP Guest Services Operations
Highest-paid employee
40$177,475$10,968
Cherryl T ThomasChair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
William C Kunkler IIIDeputy Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Elizabeth Hamill BramsenVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Merrick M ElfmanVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Bert A Getz JrVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
John P GrubeVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Molly KellerVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Michael P EmmertTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Randall G VickerySecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Stuart B AbelsonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Walter W Becky IITrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Jennifer L BelliniTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Jay D BergmanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Edward McCormick Blair JrTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Barbara J BradfordTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
James A BryanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Michael G CanningTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
John A CarpenterTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Dr Bonny ChenTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Rita Sola CookTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JR Davis IIITrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Michael F DeSantiagoTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Gregory J DiDomenicoTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Michael DraiTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Sunny ElebuaTrustee as of 10/24
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Dr Lisa C FreemanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Matthew GambsTrustee as of 10/24
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Sasha L GerritsonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Darius A GillTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Barbara GraysonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Heidi HuizengaTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Kevin M KeeleyTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Kevin M KillipsTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Barbara Levy KipperTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Jerry ManneTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Tim OzingaTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Stan PepperTrustee as of 11/24
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Toni PreckwinkleTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Elizabeth S QuinnTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Benita S RomanoTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Mark G SanderTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Kelley C SchuelerTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Patrick E WhitesideTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Joseph A GregoireTrustee thru of 12/24
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Stuart D Strahl PhDTrustee thru of 3/25
Trustee or director
2$0$0
990 for the year ended March 31, 2024: 57 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Dr Michael AdkessonPresident and CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$682,151$157,288
David E BurnsChief Financial and Admin. Officer
Key employee
40$378,747$35,140
Mary A CroninMaster Planning Coordinator
Highest-paid employee
24$352,773$7,654
Cathleen BrueggemannSr. VP Development
Key employee
40$313,637$14,732
Dr Sathya K ChinnaduraiSr. VP Animal Health Welfare
Key employee
40$207,122$47,934
Jennifer L BaaderSr. VP Govt AffairsCommunity Pgms
Key employee
40$205,424$33,029
Sandra L DornheckerSr. VP Human Resources
Key employee
40$188,377$30,650
Leah RippeVP Marketing Communications
Highest-paid employee
40$193,805$24,517
Melissa LewkowichVP Risk Facilities Mgmt
Highest-paid employee
40$177,504$33,200
Jerome E JohnstonVP Guest Services Operations
Highest-paid employee
40$183,505$13,273
Heather BilcerVP Finance
Highest-paid employee
40$180,324$5,943
Cherryl T ThomasChair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
William C Kunkler IIIDeputy Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
John P GrubeVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Elizabeth Hamill BramsenVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Merrick M ElfmanVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Bert A Getz JrVice-Chair of the Board
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Michael P EmmertTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Randall G VickerySecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Stuart B AbelsonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Walter W Becky IITrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Jennifer L BelliniTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Jay D BergmanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Edward McCormick Blair JrTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Barbara J BradfordTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
James A BryanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Michael G CanningTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
John A CarpenterTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Dr Bonny ChenTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Rita Sola CookTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JR Davis IIITrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Michael F DeSantiagoTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Gregory J DiDomenicoTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Michael DraiTrustee as of 9/23
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Dr Lisa C FreemanTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Sasha L GerritsonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Darius A GillTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Barbara GraysonTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Joseph A GregoireTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Heidi HuizengaTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Kevin M KeeleyTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Molly KellerTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Kevin M KillipsTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Barbara Levy KipperTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Jerry ManneTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Tim OzingaTrustee as of 11/23
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Toni PreckwinkleTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Elizabeth S QuinnTrustee as of 4/23
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Benita S RomanoTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Mark G SanderTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Kelley C SchuelerTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Stuart D Strahl PhDTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Patrick E WhitesideTrustee
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Amy BestTrustee 11/23-3/24
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Veronica GomezTrustee thru 11/23
Trustee or director
2$0$0
Kathryn Babcock ShafferVice Chair thru 12/23
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
Kristi WeaverTrustee thru 12/23
Trustee or director
2$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
3300 GOLF RD, BROOKFIELD, IL 60513-1060
In care of
% H BARNUM
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
Michael J Adkesson, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513
Signed the 990
Michael J Adkesson, President and CEO
Phone
(708) 688-8300
Return prepared by
Plante Moran PLLC

Mission

To inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.

990 for the year ended March 31, 2026

Program accomplishments

  • Park Operations The CZS maintains 76 buildings on 235 acres of land to exhibit over 2,500 animals. In a typical year, two million visitors annually enjoy the experience of seeing and learning about the animals of the world. Each individual that enters through Brookfield Zoos gates represents an opportunity to introduce representatives of the wild world, to convey our intertwined connections to the animal kingdom, and to encourage positive change in the world. The Zoo is open almost every day of the year. Admission is free to the general public 52 days/year and at all times to Illinois school groups and military personnel. The membership team services our 100,000 member households, providing them with the opportunity to participate in the conservation and educational efforts of CZS. The events team provides seasonal and animal themed events such as Earth Day, Spring Fest, Lantern Festival, Holiday Magic and Boo at the Zoo. Visitor services provides narrated tram tours and accessible transportation options in the park.
    Expenses $30,984,178 · revenue $28,140,916
  • Animal Health, Welfare, Care and Programs More than 2500 ambassadors of the animal kingdom provide our visitors with a rare opportunity to see species from around the globe and experience up close, personal encounters. CZS staff provide expert care of these ambassadors, where innovations in husbandry techniques and pioneering breeding programs are part of the cuttting edge culture of excellence and integrating disciplines such as population biology, behavioral science, nutrition and veterinary science help determine the best ways to provide and continuously care for the animals. CZS also incorporates models and practices from an array of animal care professionals around the world, to develop the best possible zoo-based animal care and management practices. Through Keeper Chats and Ambassador Animal Encounters, staff share their knowledge of the animals in their care with zoo guests, helping them gain an appreciation for all citizens of the natural world. Through field programs,CZS support efforts to protect and restore populations of threatened species in other parts of the world.
    Expenses $34,094,000 · grants $197,674 · revenue $3,194,219
  • Education and Community Engagement Through its education programs, CZS communicates with others to engender in them a sense of ownership about living harmoniously with nature and helping save endangered species. Education specialists, volunteers, curators, graphic and exhibit designers, photographers and many others contribute to sharing this information both in person and virtually. As well as reaching the daily visitors to the Zoo, CZSs education and outreach programming reaches out to would be conservationists outside of the Zoo including classrooms of school children and teachers, local libraries and community organizations to engage them in nature based programs, strengthening the bridge between education and conservation and working together to create healthy spaces for people and wildlife.
    Expenses $4,103,000 · grants $54,000 · revenue $298,892

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in March, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025March 31, 2026August 17, 2026990 on file
2024March 31, 2025August 15, 2025990 on file
2023March 31, 2024August 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
36-2167016
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1941
Accounting year ends
March
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Animal-related (D500)
Assets (IRS master file)
$329,655,000
Income (IRS master file)
$109,413,067

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990March 2026$90,541,500$85,502,432$329,655,000XML
990-TMarch 2026–––IRS
990March 2025$107,989,615$78,379,597$317,202,000XML
990-TMarch 2025–––IRS
990March 2024$94,260,071$75,495,346$265,240,000XML
990-TMarch 2024–––IRS
990March 2023$64,594,406$66,115,083$226,030,000IRS
990-TMarch 2023–––IRS
990March 2022–––IRS
990-TMarch 2022–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990-TDecember 2020–––IRS
990December 2019–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 36-2167016).

Questions about CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

What is the EIN of CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
The employer identification number (EIN) of CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY is 36-2167016.
Is CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1941.
Are donations to CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending March 31, 2027) is due August 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended March 2026.
Who is the principal officer of CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
The 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 names Michael J Adkesson.
Who are the officers and directors of CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY?
The 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 lists 56 people; 12 received compensation from the organization, the highest $799,468 (Dr Michael Adkesson, President and CEO).
How much revenue does CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY have?
On its 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 it reported revenue of $90,541,500, expenses of $85,502,432 and total assets of $329,655,000 at year end.

Other nonprofits in BROOKFIELD

All nonprofits in BROOKFIELD · Illinois · Animal-related