Opinion

Cut duplication of services

Posted February 17, 2011 10:00 pm

Currently, unincorporated areas fall under several governmental jurisdictions. Townships repair and maintain the roads, Cook County provides police protection and building and zoning services, special districts supply fire protection, etc. Occasionally services overlap; consolidation is needed.

Having local municipalities annex the unincorporated areas has been one of my priorities since 2001 when I was elected supervisor. Change in government does not happen easily or quickly — it is interlaced with geographical and political boundaries and requires skilled negotiation and compromise. I'm proud that we successfully worked with the villages of Arlington Heights and Wheeling to annex a number of unincorporated roads in Wheeling Township. Still, there is work to be done.

All governments face increasing budget constraints. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, as reported in the Feb. 10 Daily Herald article titled “Annex, or pay the price,” has proposed this same annexation process for the remaining unincorporated areas in Cook County. I agree with her. It's time that suburban governments and Cook County work cooperatively to clarify their missions and eliminate duplication of services. Budgets can be streamlined, inefficient and outdated service delivery systems can be abolished. Quality government services can be maintained and improved. I encourage elected officials to work together toward this common goal.

Michael B. Schroeder

Supervisor

Wheeling Township

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