Center For Economic Progress

History

The Center for Economic Progress was founded in 1990 by Michael O'Connor, a veteran public benefits lawyer. Formerly the Center for Law and Human Services, the agency first focused on helping homeless families and individuals access services.

Specialties

The Center for Economic Progress (CEP) helps low-income, working families as a trusted provider of tax and financial services. Everything we do, from direct service to informing public policy, improves the financial stability of those we serve. Tax Help CEP provides low-wage workers with free, high quality tax preparation and an alternative to paid tax preparers. We serve families who make less than $50,000 and individuals who make less than $25,000. Based on these income guidelines, we can help one in three Illinois residents. Tax Clinic Through our tax clinic, we provide free, professional representation to low-wage taxpayers facing an IRS controversy. We also offer tax training for small businesses, such as childcare providers, to establish sound business practices, build their knowledge of record keeping and self-employment tax laws. Financial Services We help promote financial education and sound money practices -- helping cut ties to predatory financial services. We provide year-round workshops and one-on-one financial coaching to help clients set financial goals; create a spending plan' access safe and affordable bank products like bank accounts and small dollar loans; and review and correct credit reports and improve credit scores.