A Quick Look At Township Government

By The Associated Press

The Illinois Constitution gives counties the option to create township governments when approved by voters in a referendum.

Townships are geographic subdivisions of counties, typically 36 square miles. Twenty states use townships as local government, but powers vary widely.

In Illinois, 85 of 102 counties have township governments. The state constitution limits their powers to those assigned by state law.

At a minimum, townships must determine the value of property for taxation, take care of roads not maintained by other governments, and distribute welfare to the local poor not eligible for other public aid. State laws were amended to let townships offer expanded services if residents so choose.

Illinois law gives most power over township government to electors, or registered voters, who show up at an annual township meeting the second Tuesday of April.

The meeting must be at a "convenient" place after 6 p.m. At least 10 days before, township officials must post notices of the time and location in three prominent public places as well as the local newspaper.

Electors hold legal power over township spending, property and policy, with the elected supervisor and township board to carry out the people's wishes. However, most of the electors' decisions are not completely binding over the township officials.

For example, the law states that if officials decide to establish a new tax rate or increase an existing rate, they must get authorization by gathering signatures from at least 10 percent of the township's registered voters.

Special meetings can be called by the township board or by at least 15 electors, if they file a written statement with the township clerk citing the reason it's needed. The people also can demand that the township's elected officials place an advisory question of public policy on the ballot as a referendum.

EDITOR'S NOTE _ The complete Illinois law governing townships can be found on the Internet at http://www.legis.state.il.us/ilcs/chapterlist.html under Chapter 60.

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