In declaring that government should derive its just powers from the consent of the governed, the nation's founding fathers reflected their faith in the model of Township Government that still exists today. Every year, Townships hold their Annual Town Meeting to give each and every citizen direct say in the operation of the township. In Illinois, the Annual Town Meeting is held on the second Tuesday of each April.

The Illinois constitution of 1848 gave voters in each county the opportunity to adopt Township Government. By 1850, the first Township Governments began operation. Today 85 of Illinois' 102 counties operate under the township form of government and the 1,433 townships serve more than 8 million citizens

Township Responsibility
By law, Illinois townships are charged with three basic functions: 1) general assistance for the indigent; 2) theassessment of real property for the basis of local taxation; 3) maintenence of all roads and bridges outside federal, state and other jurisdiction.

General Assisstance - Townships provide food, shelter and emergency relief for needy people until they are able to support themselves. Many townships in Illinois operate food banks that guarantee the necessities of life for children.

Property Assessment - Townships establish the value of all real property in the Township. The township assessor, in fact, is the only elected government official who must pass approved courses of instruction before standing for election to the office.

Road and Bridge Maintenence - Township Government maintains over 71,000 miles of roads in Illinois - a full 53 percent of all thoroughfares in the state.

Other Services - Beyond those services established by state law, Township Government provides vital service to the people next door. This may include senior citizens programs, youth programs, assisstance to the disabled, parks and recreational facilities, health services and cemetery maintenence. In this regard, Township Government serves its neighbors from the cradle to the grave.