County Commissioner Larry Suffredin told Evanston aldermen Wednesday night “I see no reason for township government” in a community like Evanston.
Suffredin, who lives in Evanston, said that in a township like Evanston, where the municipal and township boundaries are the same, the only functions of the township could easily be handled by the muncipalities.
Speaking at a City Council Rules Committee meeting, Suffredin said the main function of township government “is general assistance, which might be better run on the municpal level.”
As for the township assessor, Suffredin said the key function of that office is to relay building permit information to the county assessor’s office.
“But I think the (city’s) building department could easily perform that function,” he added.
Illinois has more levels of government than any other state, Suffredin noted, adding that “it would save some money doing away with one level of government.”
Township Supervisor Patricia Vance and Townshp Assessor Bonnie Wilson “do a very good job,” Suffredin said, “but that form of government was set up for a different era, and today I think we can do something better.”
Suffredin said he hoped the aldermen, who also serve as township trustees, would look into how to hold a referendum to put the issue of abolishing the township to the voters.
Finally !
Far past the time for the Township government to go out of business.
It is just another place to create jobs for politicians and their friends and raise more taxes.
Abolition of Township
I agree entirely. For years the value-added by administration of this unit of government has been questioned. The doors (unlike the City"s) are often closed and the costs always seem high for the return.
Good thoughts
Commissioner Suffredin thoughts about the township and especially the Assessor Office make sense to me. I wish he was equally supportive of one school district for Evanston