By: Blake Dietz
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Lawmakers in Illinois’ House of Representatives have proposed a new bill that would dissolve townships in the state that have a population of under 500.
Proponents of the change said it will help cut unnecessary government, saving taxpayers money. Some Ogle County Board members believe that eliminating townships would hurt services and taxpayers.
“It is an unfunded mandate,” said County Board Member Dan Janes.
The Ogle County Board voted against the bill, and Janes said it would increase the taxpayer burden.
“Our biggest issue was that we would have to expand our because we’re such a big geographic local area that we would have to expand our road and bridge division to such an extent that it would become prohibitive to the taxpayer,” said Janes.
Ogle County has 25 townships that would be consolidated due to a lack of residents.
Representative Joe Sosnowski is the bill’s sponsor. He said the bill will streamline government and save money.
“You got to start thinking outside of the box. We just can’t keep saying no to everything,” said Sosnowski. “Again, we got to compare ourselves to other states, people administering this and looking at these programs that, you know, really aren’t affecting a lot of change. And so there’s got to be ways to consolidate. And you just got to think creatively on how to do that.”
Ogle County’s Board President Bruce Larson feels townships are essential.
“Number one, they are the government is closest to the people, but they do a lot of local government services with the road maintenance township assessments,” said Larson. “They also have township aid, though they have to be assumed by the county.”
Larson continued by saying, “You have to anticipate and have visionary enough thought process to think, What if we run into an emergency?”
The bill is currently in review by the House Rules Committee.
