The Illinois Mycological Association or IMA is a group of mushroom enthusiasts, citizen scientists, foragers, and professional mycologists based in the Chicago area.

[3] The meetings usually include a lecture from a professional mycologist or author and are free and open to the public.

However, only members can attend the mushroom forays, or hunts, which are the best way to identify local fungi.

These happen a couple times a month from the first foray for morels and other spring mushrooms at Kankakee River State Park in late April or early May,[6] until the September foray to gather displays for the Annual Mushroom Show.

[7] The free public show is every year during Labor Day weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden.