Central Illinois Group provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, pension consulting, and selecting other managers.
Central Illinois Group reports 433 clients. They include 300 individual clients and 133 high-net-worth individuals. Of its assets, 99.2% ($488M across 1,074 accounts) are managed with discretion; $4.03M across 49 accounts are not.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 69% | 21% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 31% | 78% |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | Fewer than 5 | <1% |
Client shares use reported counts. Client types without a reported count are excluded from that total.
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 300 | $102M | 20.7% | $340K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 133 | $386M | 78.4% | $2.9M |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | Fewer than 5 | $4.03M | 0.8% | — |
| Total | 433 | $492M | 100% | — |
- Clients
- 300
- Regulatory AUM
- $102M
- AUM share
- 20.7%
- Avg. per client
- $340K
- Clients
- 133
- Regulatory AUM
- $386M
- AUM share
- 78.4%
- Avg. per client
- $2.9M
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $4.03M
- AUM share
- 0.8%
- Avg. per client
- —
Total
- Clients
- 433
- Regulatory AUM
- $492M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- —
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 0
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 0
Central Illinois Group charges up to 1.25% for its Investment Management Services. The brochure does not state whether the rate is annual. Each asset band is charged at its own rate. The fee is billed in advance and is negotiable. The brochure also prices one other service, listed under fee details.
| Asset band | Rate (period not stated) |
|---|---|
| $0–$250K | 1.25% |
| $250K–$500K | 1.10% |
| $500K–$1M | 0.95% |
| $1M–$2M | 0.80% |
| $2M–$3M | 0.65% |
| $3M and above | 0.50% |
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- Financial Planning
- Financial planning is charged a fixed fee ranging up to $50,000, depending upon the complexity of the services provided.
Caleb Smoes owns 25% to 50% of Central Illinois Group. Caleb Smoes is CEO; the leadership team includes Chief Compliance Officer Lonny Elfenbein. It has 8 employees, 6 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
Caleb SmoesChief Executive Officer & Wealth Advisor- Lonny ElfenbeinChief Compliance Officer
John FoleyFounding Partner & Certified Financial Planner
John KennedyManaging Partner & Certified Financial Planner
Andrew McDowellPartner & Certified Financial Planner
Investment adviser representatives
6 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
Staff
- 8 employees
- 6 in advisory functions
- 6 state-registered reps
- 7 insurance agents
- 1 soliciting firm
- Owns 25% to 50% of Central Illinois Group, LLC
Caleb Smoes
Control person · since January 2023
- Owns 25% to 50% of Central Illinois Group, LLC
John Foley
Control person · since January 2025
- Owns 10% to 25% of Central Illinois Group, LLC
Andrew McDowell
Control person · since January 2025
- Owns 10% to 25% of Central Illinois Group, LLC
John Kennedy
Control person · since January 2025
Besides its headquarters, Central Illinois Group has 1 office, with 2 listed addresses in Illinois.
Illinois · 2 listed addresses
- 2911 Crossing Court, Suite 102, ChampaignHQ
- 59 Cardinal Drive N, Bethany
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Central Illinois Group, LLC
- Headquarters
- 2911 Crossing Court, Suite 102, Champaign, IL 61822
- Website
- lifewisewealth.com
- Phone
- 217-351-8755
- @lifewise-wealth-advisors
- SEC file
- 801-136469
- Structure
- Illinois LLC
- Fiscal year end
- December
Central Illinois Group does not have custody of client assets.
At year end, Central Illinois Group’s separately managed accounts were mostly in funds (71%) and stocks (23%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks23%
- Funds71%
- Bonds4%
- U.S. government and agency bonds2%
- Investment grade corporate bonds2%
- Cash1%
- Other1%
- Variable annuities and other asset types less than 1%1%
How many clients does Central Illinois Group have?
Central Illinois Group has 433 clients and manages $492 million for them, as of September 2026. They include 300 individual clients and 133 high-net-worth individuals.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 11 September 2026
What services does Central Illinois Group offer?
Central Illinois Group provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, pension consulting, and selecting other managers.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How much does Central Illinois Group charge?
Central Illinois Group charges up to 1.25% for its Investment Management Services. The brochure does not state whether the rate is annual. Each asset band is charged at its own rate. The fee is billed in advance and is negotiable.
Source: LIFEWISE WEALTH ADVISORS ADV PART 2A 9-10-26, filed 11 September 2026
How many financial advisors does Central Illinois Group have?
Central Illinois Group has 6 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 8 employees, and 6 perform investment advisory functions. 0 employees are registered representatives of a broker-dealer and 7 employees are licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Central Illinois Group invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Central Illinois Group’s separately managed accounts held 71% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 23% exchange-traded equities, 2% U.S. government and agency bonds, 2% investment grade corporate bonds, 1% cash and equivalents and 1% other. The 1% other category is described as: Variable Annuities and Other Asset Types Less Than 1%.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Who owns Central Illinois Group?
Central Illinois Group’s direct owners are Caleb Smoes, John Foley, Andrew McDowell and John Kennedy, each holding 50% or less.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 11 September 2026
How does Central Illinois Group get paid?
Central Illinois Group is paid through a percentage of assets under management and fixed fees. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How do I contact Central Illinois Group?
Central Illinois Group’s main office is at 2911 Crossing Court, Suite 102, Champaign, IL 61822. Its phone number is 217-351-8755. Its website is lifewisewealth.com.