Township Board Meetings
The Township Board meets on the last Tuesday of each month.
There is an annual meeting of the Township which is more in the nature of a New England town meeting. At the annual Township meeting, all electors of the Township have an equal vote and can, though usually don' t, enact far-ranging resolutions which bind the Board and the Supervisor. The annual Township meeting takes place on the second Tuesday of each April according to statute.
Township Supervisor- Mike Campbell
The township supervisor is the chief executive officer of the township. The supervisor serves as supervisor of general assistance and chairman of the township board of trustees.
Unlike a mayor or village board president, the supervisor may vote on all matters before the town board. Generally speaking, other chief executive government officers may vote only to break a tie. In this regard the supervisor serves as a trustee and may make or second motions, participate in all legislative discussion and should exercise voting power on all issues before the board.
The supervisor maintains sole jurisdiction over the general assistance office and may employ necessary workers without prior approval of the township board of trustees. Salaries must be appropriated by ordinance from the general assistance budget.
In administering the township general assistance programs, the supervisor adheres to standards approved by the Illinois Department of Human Services, as well as to local Township General Assistance requirements as adopted by the Township Board.
Township Board of Trustees
Trustees:
Danny Picarella
Kenny Krummeich
Frank Miles
Randy Williamson
Each single township has four trustees elected at large. They, with the supervisor, comprise the town (ship) board of trustees. Each board member, including the supervisor, has one vote.
Generally speaking, the town board is the legislative branch of township government, which establishes policy for the township to follow. Policies established by the town board are generally carried out by the supervisor and clerk in their capacities as administrators. The town board may not establish policies for either the township assessor or the highway commissioner.
The township trustees are responsible for certifying tax levies for the township and road district. In the case of the road district, the amount of the levy is to be determined by highway commissioner. The town board of trustees is also responsible for adopting the annual budget and appropriation ordinance for the town, general assistance, and road and bridge funds. The trustees are also responsible for approving all town expense and auditing bills submitted for payment by the highway commissioner.
The trustees have an obligation to approve all legally incurred bills to the extent that there is an appropriation for the expenditure. Conversely, the trustees have an obligation to reject for payment, all bills, including those for the road district that are not legally incurred debts.
Township Assessor- Judy Klopmeier
Job Description:
The office of the Assessor is the only elected position that has statutory, pre-election requirements. In larger jurisdictions, candidates must obtain the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer designation from the Illinois Property Assessment Institute. In smaller jurisdictions, a basic course of instruction approved by the Department of Revenue is required. Incumbent elected assessors must complete continuing education requirements before they can run for reelection.
The township assessor is more appropriately an appraiser. The assessor' s responsibilities include the mass appraisal of all taxable property within the township or a multi-township assessment district.
Mass appraisal requires that assessor to perform three fundamental yet vital duties:
1) Discover, list and value all new construction within the jurisdiction.
2) Ensure that existing property is valued at the appropriate statutory level of market value.
3) Assure that similar property is valued in a uniform manner.
In order to fulfill these duties, assessor must annually determine what properties are being altered and visit each to collect data for use in determining market value for new construction. The assessor also must analyze recent sales and perform sales ratio studies to determine which areas require reassessment and must also analyze the fairness of assessments. The assessor reports changes to county officials and also establishes homestead exemptions and responds to complaints about assessments.
Assessors must determine the market value of all taxable property, which is then assessed at 33 1/3 percent of that value. Township assessors must use the same principles, techniques and methods as those applied by fee appraisers.
The purpose of the assessment is to apportion the tax burden as created by taxing district: schools, municipalities, park districts, counties and townships. Assessors do not levy, collect or distribute tax revenues.
The assessor funds the office by submitting a detailed budget for approval by the township board. Once the board approves the budget, the assessor may use the money for day-to-day operation of the office. The Assessor is elected to a four-year term and responsible for property assessments.
REAL ESTATE EXEMPTIONS
HOMESTEAD LIMITED EXEMPTION is given to a Homeowner who lives in his home as of January 1 of the taxing year. The amount of this exemption could be as much as $5,500 off the assessed value. This can be done by contacting the Assessor' s Office. You may check your tax bill under exemptions to see if it was applied.
SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION is given to Seniors 65 years and older who live in their home as of January 1 of the taxing year. This benefit amount is $4,000 off the assessment. The senior must bring in the necessary documentation ie, a deed, title, etc.
HOMESTEAD IMPROVEMENT EXEMPTION is given to any homeowner who lives in his home and adds value by an improvement or addition he has made on his residence. The amount of this exemption given over a four year period is based on the type of improvement which is made and how much value was added to the original construction.
SENIOR CITIZENS TAX FREEZE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION is given to seniors 65 years of age and older with a maximum household income of $55,000. This exemption freezes the assessment on the property. Applications are available in the Assessor' s Office.
Township Clerk- Fred Schulte
The township clerk is keeper of all township records except for active general assistance cases. The clerk is required to keep accurate records of all township board meetings and maintain records of the board' s executive sessions. (Statute requires these minutes be reviewed every six months.)
During town board meetings the clerk records roll call votes. (Certain questions require roll call votes, such as appointments to fill vacancies, establishing salaries, etc. Other votes can be taken by voice. Secret ballots are never permitted on any issue facing the township board.)
The clerk also serves as the local election authority and is responsible for accepting petitions concerning township elections and/or referendums. In this capacity, the clerk is responsible for publishing or posting certain specific notices, including notices for the highway commissioner
Highway Commissioner- Jeff Hessel
The Township Highway Commissioner or Road District Commissioner has all the road district roads under his jurisdiction except those inside incorporated cities and villages. He is responsible for their construction and maintenance to the extent that the electors provide him with the funds for such. The Highway commissioner oversees construction, maintenance and repair and is responsible for the construction, maintenance and repair of roads within the district, let contracts, employ labor and purchase material and machinery.
General Assistance
General Assistance is a monthly grant program, mandated by State Law and administered exclusively by Illinois Townships, for individuals in need, who meet certain eligibility requirements. The term came out of the Social Security Act of 1935, stating that if a person does not fit into categories administrated by Social Security or Department of Human Services, they fell into a " general" category hence the term General Assistance.
Eligibility Guidelines are as follows:
• Must be a Township resident
• 18 years of age and out of High School
• No potential means of income
• Have applied and been found ineligible for other State or Federal benefits
• Must be able to work, job search and do work fare
OR
• Pending Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income
Emergency Assistance
Emergency Assistance is a needs based program for Township residents. Eligibility is income qualified based on family size. Those who qualify may receive assistance with rent/mortgage, utilities, gas vouchers and food. Individuals can receive Emergency Assistance once in a twelve (12) month period.
Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Madison County administers the LIHEAP program. However for the convenience of our clients the Township assists in filling out and accepting applications. It is designed to help eligible people, with grants paid directly to the utilities, for residential Gas and Electric bills. This program is income qualified based on family size and runs from September 1 st to May 31 st of every year.
If you wish to determine your eligibility for these programs you may do so by calling 618-656-0292 to make an appointment with a General Assistance case worker.
