Save the Date: Ela Township Day is September 21!
Please join us for the first annual Ela Township Day on Wednesday, September 21.
We will be hosting an open house from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at several locations including the Ela Town Hall and Community Center, followed by a township picnic from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Knox Park in Lake Zurich.
This family-friendly event offers fun, free food, music, children's activities, information booths and more. Bring a non-perishable food item to help fill our Highway Department truck for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. For each donation you'll receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a large flatscreen TV!
Meet Ela Township officials and staff, ask questions, tour the facilities and receive important information about our programs, services and resources. If you're not familiar with all our township provides, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more!
The importance of townships
In conjunction with Illinois Township Day, as designated by the Illinois Township Association of Senior Citizen Services Committees (ITASCSC), townships from across the state will be joining Ela Township in recognizing Sept. 21 as a day to acknowledge and celebrate their vital role in the community.
"ITASCSC has always been on the frontline of human services in Illinois," President Susan Dillon stated. "We are the people that see firsthand the impact townships have on the lives of its residents. As ITASCSC members, we are ecstatic to have a day to highlight just how much Illinois townships provide for their communities."
Did you know that township government, established in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1636, is the oldest existing unit of government continuing to serve on the North American continent? Today, 85 of Illinois' 102 counties operate under the township form of government and the 1,431 townships serve more than 8 million citizens.
By law, Illinois townships are charged with three basic functions: general assistance for the indigent; the assessment of real property for the basis of local taxation; and maintenance of all roads and bridges outside federal, state, and other local jurisdiction.
As you may have heard in the news, townships are under state scrutiny as a result of recommendations made by the Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force. The passage of legislation related to township government could result in townships being abolished and/or consolidated.
"Recognition events that highlight the value of township government are a great way to show the community what their local government is doing," stated Jerry Crabtree, Associate Director, Township Officials of Illinois. "Those who favor the consolidation or elimination of township government in Illinois presently do not realize the importance of these services to the community."
What does Ela Township do for you?
Supervisor Lucy Prouty stated, "Ela Township provides its residents with many valuable services that are not duplicated by other taxing bodies, services that will likely cost taxpayers a great deal more if left in the hands of a larger unit of government."
Ela Township provides its residents with top notch youth programs; an award-winning senior center; professional family services at no cost including crisis intervention, case management, brief counseling and referral; property assessment and assistance with appeals and exemptions; a medical equipment lending closet; voter registration; notary; general and emergency financial assistance; senior/handicapped bus service; snow and ice removal; road resurfacing; storm water management; cemetery and park maintenance and more.
Recently, Ela Township purchased land for a fourth park that will include much needed open fields for recreation and sports.
We look forward to seeing you on Ela Township Day!
For more information, or to learn about volunteer and/or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ela 55+ Director Susan Dillon at (847) 438-9160 or email susandillon@ela55plus.com.
Learn more about Ela Township at www.elatownship.org.