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Bartlett resident: Wayne Township has to go

Bartlett resident Art Pierscionek of the Wayne Township Republican Organization announced at Bartlett's village board meeting Tuesday he's leading a “citizens initiative” to eliminate Wayne Township government. The move, Pierscionek argues, could save taxpayers money.

The announcement comes just one day after a Gov. Bruce Rauner-appointed task force announced 27 recommendations for Illinois government consolidation.

Wayne Township Supervisor Tom Arends says the township provides valuable services to its residents.

“I can't see how any such initiative would succeed,” he said.

Arends argues municipalities and townships are not to blame for high tax bills; the way Illinois funds its schools is the culprit.

“The taxpayers are being misled that consolidation saves money,” Arends said. “The state funds its schools through property taxes, and I don't see anybody talking about that.”

Wayne Township serves portions of Bartlett, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Wayne, West Chicago and St. Charles, as well as some unincorporated areas in DuPage County.

The township provides services for more than 700 seniors and runs a food pantry that serves 200 residents, among other services, Arends says.

“And who would take over the services? I'm sure the county doesn't want to provide services to seniors,” Arends said. “And who would pay for those services?”

Pierscionek said he doesn't want to get rid of any essential services. He said there are likely enough food banks and senior services throughout the villages.

Pierscionek didn't bring the consolidation plans to Arends before bringing it up at the Bartlett meeting.

Bartlett Village President Kevin Wallace said Tuesday's announcement was the first he heard of Pierscionek's plan, too.

Pierscionek said Tuesday that he hopes to get an advisory referendum on the November ballot to see what residents think about consolidating.

“I had several friends who got word of what I wanted to do and said they would support it,” Pierscionek said. “I would like to make this a nonpartisan effort.”

He plans on talking with leaders of Bartlett, Hanover Park, Carol Stream, West Chicago and Wayne to see how the municipalities could absorb additional responsibilities if the township government were dissolved. The township, Pierscionek says, is not a necessary unit of government anymore.

“I imagine the burden's going to fall on the unincorporated areas because they're the major recipients of services of the township,” Pierscionek said.

“But they're kind of not paying for everything they're getting these days.”

Recommendations made that would shrink Illinois governments

Tom Arends
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