Trustee calls for disbanding his township, consolidation

CRAIG HOLLISTER, Port Byron Township trustee, had this letter in the September 25 Dispatch/Argus and September 23 Quad-City Times. ..... marks paragraph breaks. "Illinois has close to 7,000 units of government, more than almost every other state. Not surprisingly, Illinois has among the highest taxes in the nation. Illinois also has a poor credit rating and is deep in debt. It should be obvious to all that change is needed in Illinois. ..... Every effort to cut even a penny from the budget is met by howls of anguish. Every attempt to reduce the number of government units is met by claims of how essential that government unit is to the people. Latest example is from the Township Officials of Illinois pushing back against the calls to eliminate and consolidate some townships, "township government plays a critical role in improving the lives of residents across Illinois". ..... I am a Port Byron Township trustee, and we are an almost total waste of taxpayer's money. Though we are the most frugal township in Rock Island County, we still wasted $13,067 in FY2015 to administer $2,695 in general assistance. We serve no purpose and should be eliminated. ..... Iowa has limited township government in unincorporated areas. Assessment of real property for the basis for local taxation and maintenance of the roads is done by the county. This makes sense. What does not make sense is to have township government in urban areas. ..... $13,067 is not much money in terms of billion dollar deficits but many millions could be saved by eliminating and consolidating unnecessary layers of government throughout Illinois. Let's start saving money somewhere."