Palatine Township: 2018 Year in Review

Palatine Township provides a vast array of emergency, social, and general services for its residents, many of which the greater public may not be aware of. The below '2018 Year in Review' provides a snapshot of these services and programs, in addition to the number of Township residents who were served over the last year through each of them.

Food Pantry: The Township Food Pantry provides groceries every 30 days, free of charge, to residents experiencing temporary financial setbacks resulting from illness, unemployment, and other serious life circumstances. Donations are provided by individuals, community groups, churches, boy and girls scouts, businesses, and churches. The Food Pantry served more than 12,500 individuals throughout 2018, with an average of 345 families served per month.

General Assistance Department: Residents facing financial hardships can qualify to receive General Assistance through the Township, which is meant to provide a 'hand up' for those experiencing situational, financial challenges; this is not a long-term assistance program. Among the programs/services offered are:

• Processing of LIHEAP applications (Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program) to help residents afford home heating and electric bills during the winter months - 1,000 applications processed

• Emergency Disaster Response, including funds to temporarily cover the costs of shelter, food and gas - 100 people assisted

• General Assistance support that provides funds for shelter, food, gas and taxis, also provided temporarily - 100 people assisted

Transportation Department: Three paratransit vehicles, owned by PACE and maintained by the Township, provided transportation to the elderly (60 years of age and up) and the disabled (18 years of age and up), at a cost of $2.50 per one-way trip. Each of the vehicles are lift-equipped to transport wheelchairs and provide curb-to-curb service for trips within the Township. Medical appointments outside of the Township can also be provided to residents through the Township Rider Initiative Program (T.R.I.P.)

• Total of 11,539 rides provided for in-Township appointments

• Total of 1,475 T.R.I.P. program users

• Special shopping trips for 73 elderly or disabled individuals (round trip)

• Nearly 190 new riders were registered in 2018

Outreach Department: Outreach through the Township provides several programs throughout the year to in-need children, seniors, families and even U.S. Navy recruits. These include the Easter Basket program, which provided baskets filled with Eater goodies for low income children ages 1-10, and the Apple Tree program which assisted 905 children in K-9th grade, and supplied backpacks filled with school supplies before the first day of school. The Thanksgiving Basket program assisted in-need families by providing baskets filled with all the fixings for the traditional holiday meal; 661 food baskets were provided to families in 2018. Additionally, the Angel Tree program provided 921 'Angels' who donated gifts to in-need senior citizens and children under the age of 18, as well as the Adopt-a-Family program that served 213 families who otherwise would not have been unable to afford to purchase holiday gifts. The Township hosted its annual Toy Drive which benefitted families that didn't meet Holiday Program deadlines, as well as provided gifts year-round to needy youngsters. Volunteers were provided by the Township for the American Legion Post 690 Adopt A Sailor program. While the American Legion provided Thanksgiving meals to 38 Navy recruits, Township staff and other volunteers took pictures of the them, which were printed and included inside handmade custom cards the recruits then sent home to their loved ones.

General Services: In addition to social services and other assistance for those experiencing financial hardships, the Township also offers a wide range of general services for residents, which include:

• Sale of Cook County vehicle stickers

• Maintenance of historical cemeteries

• Temporary handicap placards

• Notary services (at no cost)

• Voter registration

• RTA senior passes - application processing

• Sale of Highway Department refuse stickers

• Free electronics recycling and paper shredding events, in partnership with the Palatine Lions Club

Assessor's Department: The Palatine Township Assessor provides services to assist taxpayers, such as help in filing property tax appeals and answering questions related to property tax assessments.

• Homeowner's Exemptions - 709 filed

• Senior Exemptions - 3,381 filed

• Veterans' Exemptions - 188 filed

• Disabled Exemptions - 355 filed

• Cook County Assessor Appeals and Cook County Board of Review Appeals - 1,085 appeals filed

In addition to all of the above programs and services, the Township also hosted the Health and Happiness Fair which drew hundreds of residents and featured more than 20 vendors who provided a range of free services, including health screenings, flu shots and educational information about retirement and benefits.

In summary, the Township touches, affects and makes a difference in the lives of thousands of its residents each year, through the wide variety of programs and services offered. To learn more, visit palatinetownship-il.gov or call (847) 358-6700.