Your Dec. 20 editorial about township services incorrectly assumes that Illinois taxpayers would save money by consolidating township services into county governments.
It also fails to recognize the importance of local control over services provided by townships throughout Illinois.
A 1994 fiscal impact study by McHenry County showed that consolidation of township services into McHenry County government would cost $6 million in transition costs alone. Moreover, the annual increase in the cost of providing the same government services countywide that are now provided by townships would be $8 million in McHenry County alone.
In 1994, a move to abolish township government in McHenry County was soundly defeated, 76 percent to 24 percent.
In fact, in a Nov. 24, 1994, editorial, the Tribune wrote: ” . . . the argument can be made that [townships] provide a higher quality of service–more immediate bang for the tax buck–most noticeably in things such as supplying information, road maintenance and snow plowing.”
Why have voters consistently turned back efforts to abolish township government in Illinois?
First, as government entities, townships provide citizens with more input per capita than any other. Second, and perhaps more importantly, townships provide the services their local citizenry wants.
When the snow flies, the expectant mothers in Rock Island County’s Hampton Township get their roads plowed so they can have access to the hospitals. In Christian County, Pana Township directs a Coats for Kids program that provides help for the children of families who can’t afford the basics of survival in winter.
Summer Lunch Programs for Kids throughout Illinois provide essential nourishment to growing children whose parents are economically disadvantaged. In Cook County, Stickney Township operates a health clinic to attend to the needs of people who can’t afford health care in today’s skyrocketing health-care world.
As The Tribune said so eloquently in 1994: “Township officials live nearby, and when you have a problem that needs fixing, you can get to them directly.”
And that’s just one good reason that voters support township government when it comes under scrutiny.
