About the Foundation

Founded in 2006, the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy Foundation is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation that is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The Foundation enjoys tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

The Foundation solicits and receives public and private donations, gifts, grants, memorials, and bequests of money, property, and services that support training of fire, police, public works, and private business professionals at the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA).  

The Foundation supports

  • Development of public safety curricula;
  • Design and implementation of training props;
  • Expansion of NIPSTA facilities, programs, and services;
  • Enhancement of regional emergency preparedness and response, and;
  • Improvements in community safety that result from well-trained first responders.

All contributions to the NIPSTA Foundation are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. 

The NIPSTA Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors:

Title
Member
President:
Ron Eilken, Des Plaines Fire Department, Ret.
Vice President:John Escalante, Northeastern Illinois University
Treasurer:
Dan Ryan, Illinois Public Pension Fund Association 
Secretary:
Jill Ramaker, NIPSTA
Director:
Joe Ahern, 100 Club of Chicago
Director:
Daniel Dahlberg, Henry Crown and Company
Director:
Andrea Biwer, Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce
Director:
Joe DeLopez, Village of Winnetka, Ret. 
Director:
George Moser, Chicago Crime Commission
Director:
Al Rigoni, Village of Skokie, Ret