Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has quietly worked behind the scenes to eliminate what he called duplicate taxing bodies in the state. One of the proposed legislation is the elimination of all county townships with a population less than 5,000.
In Lee County, this would mean the elimination of all 22 townships, except for Dixon. According to Illinois Township Official Arnold Vegter, Lee County would take over each townships assets, debts, equipment and road responsibility.
County Chair Bob Olson said this would add 950 miles of roads to the county. It is figured the county could not handle the addition.
Not only would the county be responsible for all township roads, they would also be responsible for township maintenance. This would include the maintenance of all township cemeteries.
Vegter told the Lee County Board that most of the counties he has spoken to does not want this legislation to pass. He said he would not feel safe until after May 31, the end of the current legislative session.
