About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to preserve, research, document, and present the history and legacy of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party.
Our Work
The Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party is creating tangible, place-based educational and cultural learning experiences based on the Black Panther Party's historical record in Illinois.
Why it Matters
The neglected and accurate history of the Party is part of the racial, social, and economic justice marginalized and underrepresented people are seeking today. Many now appreciate the Black Panther Party’s lifesaving efforts for the poor because freedom of information has proven the Party has been misrepresented for decades.
The Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois and Landmarking
In December 2023, we successfully obtained a thematic listing on the National Register of Historic Places for the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party. Our organization is now developing the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois. We are building an integrative collaboration with partners who recognize the importance of demolished cultural sites in disinvested communities.
Phase I of our Black Panther Party Heritage Trail was the successful achievement of the National Register Listing, which took three years to complete. We are now in Phase II, which includes the first wave of landmarking significant sites in Chicago with historical markers.
Brief History of the Black Panther Party
A brief history of the Party will explain why it was a beloved part of Chicago’s west, south, and near north side communities:
Survival Programs–Poverty was geographically concentrated on Chicago's west and south sides and created “no-man’s lands” where no outsider dared to venture. For the residents, poverty was the causative factor of the other social ills that came with it: crime, violence, broken families, substance abuse, educational failure, disease, and hunger. In response, the Party created numerous Survival Programs to aid communities across Chicagoland and the state.
Free Breakfast for Children–The Illinois Chapter opened its first Free Breakfast for Children Program in 1969 in North Lawndale. This community continues to suffer from disinvestment, crime, and poverty. Though the USDA had piloted free breakfast efforts since the mid-1960s, the program only took off in the early 1970s—right around when the Black Panthers’ programs were dismantled. In 1975, the School Breakfast Program was permanently authorized. The BPP is also often credited for the amendments to the Child Nutrition Act that included free breakfast at school and expansion of the WIC, Women, Infants, and Children Program.
Healthcare for the Poor–Another major initiative of the BPP was healthcare for the poor. Like the Free Breakfast for Children Program, the Party’s Free Medical Program would also influence significant changes in the federal government’s healthcare policies. North Lawndale was in the first quartile (the highest) ranking for all the five morbidity-mortality factors at the time. The five morbidity-mortality factors included deaths due to influenza and pneumonia for infants and noninfants, deaths from cervical carcinoma, deaths due to unknown and ill-defined causes, and new tuberculosis cases discovered.
Sickle Cell Anemia Testing–In April 1971, the Party began an all-out public outreach campaign on Sickle Cell Anemia. The Party criticized the US Government for its lack of response to the disease and set out to test community members. Then, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act, which provided funds for education, research, and treatment for those with the disease.
Board of Directors
Lonnie Hall, Chairwoman, Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party
Paul Pratt, son of Black Panther Party parents, nephew of Geronimo Pratt
Flynn Rush, son of Illinois Chapter, co-founder of the Honorable Bobby L. Rush
Gina Wright, daughter of Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party parents
Leila Wills, daughter of Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party parents
Chairman Emeritus Billy “Ché Brooks, former Deputy Minister of Education of the Illinois Chapter
Company Leadership
Leila Wills, Executive Director
Financial and Governance Details
The Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party (HPS, IL-BPP) is a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the state of Illinois. Our Tax ID Number is 87-3905421 and our IRS ruling year is 2022. All donations are tax-deductible. We have a non-compensated board and volunteer staff.
Our mission is to preserve, research, document, and present the history and legacy of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party.
Category: Arts, Culture, Humanities
Cause: Libraries, Historical Societies, Landmark Preservation
Location: Chicago, IL
National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities Classification Code: A80
NAICS Code: 712110
SIC Code: 84129901, Historical Society
Mailing Address: 1507 E. 53rd Street, Suite 485, Chicago, IL 60615
Email: We cannot publish our email address online or our inbox would be overrun by bots and spam. Click the button below to easily contact us.
Important Documents & Policies
IRS Tax Exemption Approval Letter
Illinois Certificate of Good Standing
Tax Forms: We filed 990 postcards for our first two years. Our first full tax return, for 2024, will be provided.
Audited Financials: Our first audited financial statements will be provided.
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It is the policy and commitment of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party (Organization) that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, or religion.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Organization is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on account of race, age, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, or otherwise as may be prohibited by federal and state law.
Any employee, board member, volunteer, or client who believes that s/he or any other affiliate of Organization has been discriminated against is strongly encouraged to report this concern promptly to the Executive Director.
Discriminatory Harassment
Harassment or intimidation of a client, staff person, or guest because of that person’s race, age, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, or religion is specifically prohibited and may be grounds for termination. Harassment and intimidation include abusive, foul or threatening language or behavior. Organization is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free of any such harassment and will not tolerate discrimination against staff members, volunteers or agency clients.
Issues of discriminatory treatment, harassment, or intimidation on any of these bases should immediately be reported to the Executive Director or immediate supervisor and, if substantiated, prompt action will be taken.
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Our Commitment to Our Donors
We will not sell, share or trade our donors' names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations.
This policy applies to all information received by the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, both online and offline, on any Platform ("Platform", includes the HPS, IL-BPP website and mobile applications), as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications.
To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.
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Tax letters will be sent by January 31 every year.
Members whose financial contributions total $250 or more, or members who do not have an email address, receive their tax letter via US Postal Service. Members whose contributions total $249 or less and have an email address on file with the HPS, IL-BPP receive their tax letter via email.
Member Program
The rewards that come with preserving the history of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party are indescribable.
Be a part of this society so that generations after us will know the truth about this amazing group of young people. We are a community passionate about the Illinois Chapter.
Membership is now open, and you will love every minute of this history.