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JKC to Provide 'Invest in Cook' and CDBG Grants Assistance

connecting to cook county 16x9Calumet City/Mokena, IL - John Kasperek Co., Inc. (JKC) is available to assist clients with the open application period for the Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) Invest in Cook grant program. Invest in Cook grants are designed to assist local governments and agency partners with furthering their transportation projects by covering a portion of the cost of planning and feasibility studies, engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction associated with transportation infrastructure improvements. This includes bridge improvements, freight projects, bicycle and pedestrian facility projects, traffic flow improvement projects, and improving transit accessibility.

Aside from local governments, eligible applicants include regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies as well as any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for transportation or recreational trails within Cook County. Private for-profit or nonprofit organizations can submit project proposals as a lead applicant, but they are required to partner with a public sponsor that meets the above criteria. Lead applicants are limited to one single project application.

Another grant JKC is assisting the Chicago Southland community with is the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). This grant program supports critical community development needs in income-eligible areas of suburban Cook. Some allowable projects include:

  • Infrastructure - Improvements including but not limited to construction or installation of streets, curbs, and water/sewer lines.
  • Public Facilities - Improvements including but not limited to recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, and facilities for persons with special needs. Examples of eligible costs include energy efficiency improvements, and disabled accessibility improvements.
  • Demolition - Activities limited to demolition of vacant buildings including necessary removal of demolition debris.

Applicants are limited to one single project application. Funding request cap for Capital Improvement projects is $400,000. Non-profit agencies applying for capital improvement projects are capped at $200,000. 

The deadline for both grants is Wednesday, March 16th, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Contact Elizabeth Scott, JKC Grant Research Specialist, for more information or with any questions at (708) 862-2262 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

John Kasperek Co., Inc. Welcomes Katie Marr, CPA, to the Firm

Katie Marr 2013CALUMET CITY, IL – John Kasperek Co., Inc. (JKC), a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm in Calumet City, Illinois, announces the addition of Katie Marr, CPA, to the team. Marr, a resident of Griffith, IN, will join JKC as a Senior Associate on April 5th, primarily performing audit and consulting engagements for local governmental clients.

Marr earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. She brings 14 years of experience in the field, most recently serving as an Internal Auditor for Kemper Corporation in Chicago where she lead audits encompassing operational, financial, IT, and other risks.

“I am excited to further my work in public accounting with a talented firm that is so invested in the local community,” said Marr. “John Kasperek Company has a proven record of excellence with a client-focused approach.”

Among her extensive previous experience, she conducted all elements of audits for governmental entities including counties, cities and school districts with Baker Tilly, US LLP.

“We look forward to utilizing Katie’s expertise to help our clients and the company advance and grow in the future,” said Managing Partner John Kasperek, Jr.  “She is a great addition to our senior staff, and we are all excited for her to join the team.”

Kasperek said the addition of Marr is a part of the firm’s strategic plans for growth. Another key position to be filled is that of Associate, a job JKC recently posted online: kasperekcpa.com/associate. For more information, visit kasperekcpa.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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John Kasperek Co., Inc. was founded in 1989 to serve the financial needs of the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana area. Led by accomplished governmental consulting expert - founder and managing partner John Kasperek, Jr., CPA – the firm is dedicated to providing customized services to local units of government, nonprofit organizations, corporations and individuals at an affordable rate. The staff’s unique expertise is rooted in extensive experience through its municipal and educational auditing and consulting engagements. 

John Kasperek Co., Inc. receives highest level of State audit approval

agCalumet City, IL – The Illinois Office of the Auditor General recently announced John Kasperek Co., Inc., (JKC) as a Level 3 auditor of governmental audits, the highest certification. A local Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm from Calumet City, Illinois, JKC is now approved to perform audits of all state-based organizations.

“We are so pleased to receive the vote of confidence and credentialing from the Auditor General,” said John Kasperek, Jr., Managing Partner. “We have proudly invested more than 31 years of experience, expertise and collaboration with Chicago Southland schools, municipalities, townships and other forms of government to achieve financial success, high quality oversight and reporting. This approval will allow our firm to engage state-operated functions and is a critical component for our future goals within the community.”

Kasperek recently stepped down from his 30-year role serving as the Finance Director of the City of Calumet City to focus on client needs, staff mentoring and firm growth, which will now include all forms of governmental auditing.

In other firm news, two JKC employees recently earned degrees from regional institutions. Arie Conn earned her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting & Financial Information Systems from Indiana University Northwest and is preparing to sit for the CPA Exam. Conn was promoted to full-time staff Associate and will continue her work on school audits and municipal consulting. Additionally, Alison Dolbeer, Accounting Assistant, received her Associate Degree in Accounting from South Suburban College. She previously earned her Bookkeeping Certificate at SSC in 2019, where she was also on the Dean’s list and received the college's John Kasperek Co., Inc. Scholarship.

More information is available at kasperekcpa.com or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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John Kasperek Co., Inc. was founded in 1989 to serve the financial needs of the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana area. Led by accomplished governmental consulting expert - founder and managing partner John Kasperek, Jr., CPA – the firm is dedicated to providing customized services to local units of government, nonprofit organizations, corporations and individuals at an affordable rate. The staff’s unique expertise is rooted in extensive experience through its municipal and educational auditing and consulting engagements. 

John Kasperek Co., Inc. announces hiring of Lisa Kimbrough-Carr of Lansing

LC.jpgCalumet City, IL – John Kasperek Co., Inc., a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm in Calumet City, Illinois, announces the addition of Lisa Kimbrough-Carr, of Lansing, to the firm’s audit team. As a staff associate, Kimbrough-Carr will primarily be responsible for providing support to the firm’s audit and single audit work, as well as accounting and consulting services.

Kimbrough-Carr graduated DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business in 2018 with her Master of Science in Audit and Assurance Services. She previously earned a Postbaccalaureate Degree in Accounting from Indiana University—Gary, as well as a Bachelor's in Public Administration from Drake University. Kimbrough-Carr most recently worked for a large public accounting firm in Chicago, IL.

“We are so pleased to welcome Lisa to the firm and look forward to adding her education and experience to support our clients,” said managing partner John Kasperek, Jr.  “Lisa complements our staff well and it’s always especially rewarding to add local talent to the team.”

John Kasperek Co., Inc. is currently celebrating its 30th Anniversary year. For more information, visit www.kasperekcpa.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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 John Kasperek Co., Inc. was founded in 1989 to serve the financial needs of the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana area. Led by accomplished governmental consulting expert - founder and managing partner John Kasperek, Jr., CPA – the firm is dedicated to providing customized services to local units of government, nonprofit organizations, corporations and individuals at an affordable rate. The staff’s unique expertise is rooted in extensive experience through its municipal and educational auditing and consulting engagements.