What is the Northern Illinois NCGR Chapter and what does it do?
About the Northern Illinois Chapter
NCGR is a national organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and practice of astrology through education, research, and community.
The Northern Illinois Chapter gives that mission a local home. We connect people in the Chicago suburbs who share a love of astrology and a genuine curiosity about how the cosmos intersects with our lives. Our members include students, professional astrologers, and people who simply want to understand more.
Everyone is welcome.
Scroll down for more information.
The Northern Illinois Chapter of NCGR was incorporated on June 24, 1983 @ 4:20 pm EDT, New York, NY (Placidus Houses)
Our Board
Judy Johnson - President
I was first introduced to astrology through the horoscope column in the daily newspaper at age twelve. My family had just moved to Lisle from the northwest side of Chicago, and the new local library had a surprisingly rich occult studies section. That discovery started everything.
I studied under Barbara Krofel for many years, found my way to local conferences, and eventually connected with Janet Berres, who invited me to join the Northern Illinois Chapter board. I've served as either President and Vice President since 2012, and also served as Director of Volunteers on the national NCGR board. This chapter has been my astrological home, and I'm honored to be part of it.
Stacy Sparlin - Vice President
They say destiny is written in the stars, but for me, it was practically encrypted in my name. My childhood friends nicknamed me "Stars" and voted me "Most Likely to Space-Off," which turned out to be less about distraction than a lifelong cosmic calling.
My path led me through Tarot into the rigorous world of professional astrology, where I've completed Level II of the NCGR certification track and am now deep into Level III. By day, I'm a high school teacher with a Master's in School Counseling; by night, I help our community decode the celestial blueprint, because apparently we're all made of the same stardust anyway.
Tim Tucker - Treasurer
I'm a retired IT professional from United Airlines. Math and science were my foundation, so astrology wasn't exactly on my radar until 1995, when a new manager at work cast my chart and told me things about myself that I couldn't easily explain away. That piqued my curiosity enough to start reading seriously.
I studied under Doris Hebel, Barbara Schermer, and Robert Corre, and more recently dove into Uranian astrology after a presentation at UAC 2018 caught my attention. With six planets in my 8th house, I've ended up treasurer of more organizations than I can count. I love astrology because it helps me make sense of the people and events in my life, and there's genuinely always more to learn.
Lisa Hagenbuch - Secretary
I have been a professional astrologer since 1998, working with individuals and families at metaphysical stores throughout the Chicagoland area, and now in Saugatuck, Michigan.
My practice draws on several complementary disciplines. I hold certifications in six Conscious Parenting courses taught by Dr. Shefali, and I work as a Family Constellation facilitator, incorporating that ancestral and systemic framework into my consultations. I also incorporate tarot into my readings. Astrology has always pointed me toward the deeper patterns at work in people's lives, and that curiosity is what drew me to the Northern Illinois Chapter.
You can reach Lisa at FutureEcho.org.
Ryan Barrett - Marketing Lead
A friend gifted me an old copy of Linda Goodman's Sun Signs in 1991, and I've been hooked ever since. I'm a professional evolutionary astrologer based in Chicago, focused on helping people understand the deeper intention behind their birth chart.
My most formative training came through six years of study with the late Barbara J. Junceau, whose mentorship shaped the way I approach synthesis and counseling. In August 2024, I earned an Apprentice Certificate in Evolutionary Astrology from the Forrest Center for Evolutionary Astrology (FCEA). I teach an introductory workshop for students who want a grounded foundation in chart interpretation.
You can reach Ryan at TheConsciousAstrologer.com.
Janet Berres - President Emeritus
Janet has spent most of her life active in the tarot, astrology, pagan, and Goddess communities.
She founded the International Tarot Society in 1996 and served as its President through 2003, creating and organizing the three World Tarot Congresses along the way, in 1997, 1999, and 2002. Janet has been a professional tarot reader for over fifty years, and she wrote "Your Guide to the Tarot," now included in Llewellyn's Tarot Kit for Beginners.
She's been just as active in the astrological community and had the honor of serving as President of the Northern Illinois Chapter of NCGR for many years. The chapter is grateful to still call her a member as President Emeritus.
Our Connection to National NCGR
The Northern Illinois Chapter operates as a subsidiary of the National Council for Geocosmic Research. Chapter membership and national membership are separate; you can participate in our local community without a national membership, but joining nationally opens up an additional set of resources and benefits.