What Does the upcoming Township Referendum Mean?

By law, Illinois townships are charged with three basic functions: 1) general assistance for the indigent; 2) the assessment of real property for the basis of local taxation; and 3) maintenance of all roads and bridges outside federal, state, and other local jurisdiction.

Recently, there has been a push in Springfield to consolidate smaller local forms of governments or eliminate them all together.  Some of the newer laws enacted provide for the public to vote on a referendum to consolidate the Highway Department into the Township. If this type of referendum were passed, the Township Highway department would operate as a department within the Township exactly as does the Village Highway Departments and the County Highway Departments. The elected office of Road District Commissioner would be eliminated and the Township would be responsible for employing the necessary managerial and supervisory personnel to oversee the highway department. Like in villages and counties, the head of the department will then be accountable to the Township Board.  Also, the current structure requires the Township Board to approve a budget for the Road District, but there is no accountability should the elected Road District Commissioner not stay within the budget.

The Oswego Township board recently passed a resolution to allow the question to be put on the ballot in our upcoming primary election.  It will read, “Shall the Road District of the Township of Oswego be abolished with all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities being assumed by the Township of Oswego?”

What does this mean for the Oswego Township residents?  If approved by the voters, there will be one less layer of government, with more direct fiscal and operational accountability. We must continue to point out that change is not and cannot be a one-size-fits-all move.  Different areas of the state must be looked at differently, with population, finances, needs and the desires of the people taken into account.  We must continue to defend township government, while recognizing that some changes may be necessary and helpful in today’s society.  The change being sought will make sure the Township’s governmental structure is streamlined, professional and fiscally sound.

SNOW IS COMING!!!!!  Remember the parking ordinance when snowfall is over 2″.  ALL UNINCORPORATED TOWNSHIP ROADS ARE SUBJECT TO THE SNOW ORDINANCE.  Read it HERE

2019 Assessments are now available
Use our Property Search to view them here.
If you feel your property has been assessed incorrectly please call the Assessor’s Office at 630-554-3214