Q: What is SB2504?
A: SB2504 is a bill introduced in Springfield which seeks to consolidate or eliminate townships. It calls to immediately close all Township Assessors offices with a county population of under 50,000. Additionally, it calls for reducing the petition threshold currently in place to force a township wide referendum to eliminate townships from 10% of REGISTERED voters to 5% of ACTUAL voters in the last township election. SB2504 also allows for county boards to simply pass a resolution that would put a county wide ballot referendum on the ballot for all county voters to eliminate all townships within the county. Finally, township boards could also pass a resolution to force a ballot referendum.
Q: What happens if SB2504 passes?
A: Since Ela Township is in a county with more than 50,000 residents nothing would happen immediately. However, it would reduce the petition threshold currently in place required to force a ballot referendum. Currently, 3,354 signatures are required to put a referendum on the ballot to eliminate Ela Township. The new petition threshold would be roughly 500.
Q: What would Township consolidation look like? What would be required?
A: SB2504 also allows for adjoining townships to consolidate and form one new governmental body. For this to happen, residents of each township or both township boards would need to initiate a ballot referendum and both would have to pass. This would result in the formation of one new township government.
Q: What happens to township property if the township is eliminated?
A: Township property, assets, etc., will be turned over and left for the county to decide how to manage in the future. An example of this would be all property assessment work would fall under the Lake County Assessor. Unincorporated Ela Township roads would be managed by the county. Municipalities within the Township who rely on the Highway Department to serve as their Public Works Department would have to find more expensive alternatives.
Q: What services do townships provide?
A: The services provided by townships can vary greatly. To view services provided by Ela Township click here.
Q: What can I do to support my township?
A: The township is currently accepting “What my Township Means to Me” letters of support which will be handed to State Representative Syed and State Senator Hills during Township Officials of Illinois (TOI) Lobby Day event on April 29th in Springfield. Letters are due to the township no later than 8:00 a.m., on Monday, April 28th. Letters should indicate the importance Ela Township has in your life whether it be the senior program, youth program, transportation program, parks, Health & Wellness, etc. Please email your letters to info@elatownship.org.
Please contact the Ela Township Manager, Ted Marciniak with any additional questions at tedm@elatownship.org or call (847)438-7823.
Q: Other than writing a letter, what else can I do to share my opinion about SB2504?
A: All residents are encouraged to reach out to our state representatives directly via the links below.