North Cook News

Marilyn Glazer is convinced the impact of a proposed property-tax freeze on Niles Township government would be life altering.

“We have two levies, one for general assistance, which is grossly under-levied currently because of caps,” Glazer, Niles Township's supervisor, told the North Cook News. “We also supply emergency assistance to those in dire need, with a one-time life emergency, and those funds are underwritten through our other levy – the town fund.”

Senate Bill 851, discussed during the fall veto session, would establish a two-year property tax freeze for Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will counties. The measure would allow those counties to increase property taxes only with voter approval.

All other counties would be subject to referendums asking whether a property tax freeze should be imposed for 2018 and 2019 or that all governments within a county jurisdiction be subject to a property tax freeze over that period and to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for levy year 2020 and the foreseeable future.

Bryan Smith, executive director of the Township Officials of Illinois, had sent a legislative alert to township officials about SB851, asking them to urge their state lawmakers to oppose the measure.

The legislation was not brought up for a vote in the Senate before the veto session ended.

“The mandate to help those in need, this is the reason for townships, and this need has increased due to the state and federal policies,” Glazer said.

Glazer said the township also runs a food pantry through the town fund that serves roughly 1,800 families, speaking volumes about its ongoing need.

“A number of years ago, we established a 501(c)3 charitable corporation in order to raise the funds necessary to supply the food needed to feed this growing population of those facing food insecurity,” Glazer said. "Are townships needed – I think you can see that there is a need for the services that we perform.