McSweeney’s Bill Is Not About Township Consolidation

Yesterday, the Northwest Herald article‘s headline and first sentence of a story by report Ed Komenda characterized State Rep. David McSweeny’s House Bill 4637 as having to do with consolidating townships. The bill, instead, is about allowing voters to abolish … Continue reading

McHenry County Townships’ Taxes and Spending

The Illinois State Comptroller has a data base contacting information about tax districts throughout Illinois. Today we look at expenditures and revenues for McHenry County’s seventeen townships. From looking at the above figures, one can see that some townships seem … Continue reading

Reick Criticizes “Short Debate” on McSweeney’s Township Abolition by Referendum Bill

The Illinois House has a rule which limits debate to two people on certain bills. It’s called “Short Debate.” Usually bills put on that agenda are non-controversial. The person speaking in favor of the measure is its sponsor. Then, the … Continue reading

Comparing the Number of Employees of McHenry County Townships

The Illinois State Comptroller has a data base contacting information about tax districts throughout Illinois. Looking at 2017 data from those for the seventeen townships in McHenry County, one finds the number of employees running from a low of 2 … Continue reading

Fire Protection Districts Are McHenry County’s Tax Increase Leaders

McHenry County Levy Increases Outpace Municipalities In a previous McHenry County Blog articles Comparing McHenry County Property Tax 2002 Versus 2016 it was discovered that while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased 33.8% from 2002 to 2016, most McHenry … Continue reading

Comparing Township Property Taxes 2002 Versus 2016-Part 5

Townships Average 37.20% Increase in Tax Levy Today McHenry County Blog is revealing numbers for Townships. In summary from 2002 to 2016: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 33.8%. County Population increased by 10.55%. County Assessments have increased … Continue reading

All Legislators, Governor Make Tax Protesters’ Chances Tougher

The Edgar County Watchdogs’ Illinois Leaks web site reports on a bill passed unanimously and signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner which makes it more difficult to challenge township governments’ having too much money in the bank. The Edgar … Continue reading

Bob Anderson Testifies on Governmental Consolidation in Springfield

Wonder Lake’s Bob Anderson testified in Springfield before the entire House of Representatives on government consolidation. His message is summarized below: The restructuring (streamlining) of Illinois’ 7,000 unit of local government system, starting with township consolidation or elimination, will put … Continue reading

A Strategy for Eliminating Township Government in Municipalities

There is little doubt that township government provides little service to folks in cities and villages. Assessment of property is the only function that touches every home and business owner. True, municipalities receives a portion of road taxes, but obviously, … Continue reading

Referendum Effort to Merge Two DuPage County Township Road Districts

Consolidation of township road functions is taking a new twist in DuPage County. According to the Naperville Sun, a judge is being asked to putA  the following question on the spring ballot: Shall the Naperville Road District and the Lisle … Continue reading

Which Types of Tax Districts Taking More, Which Less

Ups and downs. That describes what McHenry County taxpayers will see in this year’s real estate tax bills. As reported Saturday, county government provided significant savings by zeroing out last year’s $3 million Valley Hi Nursing Home tax levy.  (If … Continue reading

Ten Townships’ Welfare Costs

Found this comparison of Township General Assistant handed out and accompanying administrative costs. You don’t have to guess that it came from Bob Anderson … Continue reading

Walkup Outlines Needed Law Changes for Township Abolition, Modification

Below is the statement that McHenry County Board member Mike Walkup, a candidate for McHenry County Board Chairman in the Republican Primary Election next spring, is making to the Board’s Legislative Committee. State Senator Pam Althoff is attending the meeting. … Continue reading