Senator Chris Balkema held a press conference to voice concerns over Governor Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate Illinois townships, warning it would lead to higher property taxes and fewer local services.

“While I support government consolidation when it makes sense, this one-size-fits-all approach is not the answer,” Balkema said. “It shifts the financial burden to counties, leading to higher taxes for families who are already paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation.”

Balkema, former Grundy County board chairman, emphasized in many areas townships provide essential services efficiently and locally and may be the best system in those communities. In other areas it may make sense to consolidate units of government. Senator Balkema stresses that it needs to be a local decision because the voters of the community need to be the ones deciding what is best for them.

Balkema introduced SB 1347, a smarter, more localized approach to consolidation. “SB 1347 puts decision-making in local hands, allowing communities to decide what’s best for them, rather than forcing a blanket mandate from Springfield,” he said. 

94.1 WGFA