Township’s land agenda is duplication

Township government in Illinois has three primary functions, which are to administer general assistance to qualifying residents, to maintain township roads and to assess real property. I do not oppose open space initiatives. In fact, I supported the Kane County Forest Preserve District ballot measure that will add $5.7 million to its levy annually because it is the County Forest Preserve District that is responsible for acquiring and maintaining property for preservation — not the township.

I do oppose duplication in governmental units. Townships are among the oldest and least essential units of government in the state, and anyone who is sincerely interested in reducing the homeowner tax burden in Illinois could look to townships for numerous examples of redundancy and ask why do we need them? Consider this — general assistance — what is it? It is short- or long-term help for the most vulnerable members of the community and largely provided at the county level. There are no general assistance services listed on the Campton Township website. Campton Township maintains 31 miles of road according to its website. Do we really need a township administration to maintain 31 miles of road?

We do need the assessor because as Campton Township expands its holding of public land, the assessor will redistribute the lost tax revenues as increased assessments to all remaining property owners.

The township is overreaching its authority by undertaking an aggressive land preservation agenda at property owner expense. Open space and land preservation is the responsibility of the Forest Preserve District, which handles it well. Vote no on April 1.

Kate Monteleone

Campton Hills