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Welcome to your state association for township government! 
If you are not currently active in TOI, I welcome the opportunity to discuss with you the benefits and overall goals and objectives of the association. TOI is a member-based organization among the possible 11,000 elected township officials in Illinois. TOI provides leadership, educational opportunities and interpretative assistance to all elected officials among township government. In 2006, all but four townships are members of this great association (1,429 out of 1,433). A 97.7 percent membership rate is rare among associations of similar size. TOI is a great organization with tenured executive staff that possesses the ability to keep township government as a solid foundation among the different governmental units in Illinois.
As the 2007/2008 President, I am eager to work with all of you on keeping the tradition of township government alive as well as preserving its future. I have been involved in township government since 1980 and truly feel that it is the government “closest to the people” and a government that provides the best personal services to its residents. We are under great scrutiny as we enter 2008. There is the looming discussion, as always, regarding the duplication of government services and the ideological concept that eliminating township government will save money, remove duplication and provide improved services to Illinois residents. Government leaders that preach this concept are wrong. The elimination of township government in Illinois will only add to the already displaced services that residents cannot get. I agree that Illinois is one of the states with the largest number of local governments. However, our residents prefer this decentralized approach to government. I support this concept and my objectives during my two-year presidency of TOI will reflect just that – the importance and validity of township government.
In 1992, I joined the TOI board and have served in many board capacities before being installed as your President. I served as president of the ECIHCA for five years and currently hold a treasurer position. I served as the President of the Illinois Highway Commissioner Association for two years. I embrace the ability to be involved in and among dedicated individuals aimed at a common cause of providing services to local residents.
One of my goals as president is to improve the educational opportunities that TOI provides on a statewide basis. The key to understanding our goals, duties and objectives as elected officials is to explore educational opportunities that will benefit our townships as we move toward the future. I want each township official to work toward becoming more informed among their responsibilities and peers in township government. The easiest way to do this is to attend an event sponsored by TOI and embrace the opportunity of becoming a better person among government. Be ensured that I will work with TOI staff to evaluate what educational opportunities are needed and make them accessible to everyone.
A second goal of my presidency is to improve the recognition of our Political Action Committee (TOIPAC). The challenges put before us by those targeting township government as an area to streamline through elimination are reason enough to evaluate the activities and funding opportunities put forth by our PAC fund. PACs serve many services. TOI has utilized the funding mechanics of a PAC since 1990. Since its beginning, TOIPAC has struggled with maintaining a fund balance able to compete adequately in and among the General Assembly. As we enter 2007, this approach must be changed. In order to combat the ongoing discussion of the possible realignment of township government services, we must embrace our abilities financially. We do not currently have adequate funding to compete successfully in the General Assembly. We do have revenue, but our competitive edge is much different when compared to other organizations of similar size. Therefore, I plan to work with TOI staff regarding the membership, funding and objectives of our PAC fund. I think that we all should examine our ability to contribute to this cause and strive to assist in the years ahead as we are potentially up against anti-township groups.
2007 marks the 100th anniversary of TOI. I am honored t o be your association president during this event. The centennial celebration at our November conference was attended by a record number of delegates.
Thank you for your dedication to public service. I look forward to meeting you all at TOI-sponsored events across the state.
Newman Township is my home. I have been married to Jayne since 1974 and we have two sons and one grandchild.
Olen Kibler
TOI President and
Newman Township Highway Commissioner, Douglas County
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