Township Consolidation Explored in Western Illinois

Gatehouse Western IL papers graphicWho knew?

Township consolidation is not just being discussed in McHenry County.

Seven Western Illinois Gatehouse Newspapers took a look at the subject on Sunday.

Some information from Knox County:

Before the 2000 Census, Knox County had eight township assessors. In 2001, it whittled that number down to three, one to the north side of the county, one to the south, and Township of the City of Galesburg Assessor Darrell Lovell in Galesburg. [This effort was legal because of the Multi-Township Assessor law I passed in the 1970’s.]

Also, Township of the City of Galesburg Supervisor Chris Winick has taken on the case work for assistance for 16 other townships in Knox County.

This was accomplished through intergovernmental agreements.


Comments

Township Consolidation Explored in Western Illinois — 5 Comments

  1. Let’s budget the same as Knox County.

    $232,902.22 for the Supervisor of Assessments office is the budget for the entire year of 2014 – 2015.

    Based on the actual news article it would appear that these Counties are taking the correct approach to consolidation.

    They are exercising due diligence in studying / researching / documenting etc. instead of what the McHenry County group has done – based everything on one word: HOPE.

    Let us hope the County Board does the right thing and turn down any referendum until proper research is completed.

    Current numbers submitted by the Task Force which worked on the consolidation question clearly indicate a tax increase for at least one township involved in any consolidation.

    With this known fact, what are the odds that people in that township will approve the consolidation?

  2. There should be way more coordination of gov service’s in our county.

    We should be looking at the whole package, form a plan, then act.

    Piece meal often costs more in the long run, and for what a couple of bucks?

  3. The problem with sound intergovernmental cooperation is that each elected official needs to be in the office for the correct reason – SERVE the people.

    Instead it appears only people with huge egos and the need to be liked by the employees who work for the office to which they are elected.

    As a consequence, public sector employees get what they want and the taxpayer is looked upon as an endless source of money.

  4. Multi-township tax assessment districts are common in rural Illinois.

    That’s one assessor for multiple townships.

  5. More centralization of power is NEVER the answer to chaos.

    People are being duped everywhere.

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