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Township Government Overview / History

What you may not know about Township Government

• Township government, established in 1646, is the oldest form of government continuing to serve in North America.
• There are 1433 townships in Illinois, serving more than 8 million residents
• Townships, which are required to hold open town meetings annually, provide a great way for citizens to have a direct voice and vote in their local government.
• In many areas, townships are the only unit of government available to provide road maintenance and social services.
• Studies show that townships can provide services at lower cost than some other larger units of government.
• Many township services are provided at little or no cost to tax-payers through grants and volunteer efforts.

Townships are the “grassroots” government.  Local responsibilities are undertaken by locally elected residents; locally paid tax monies are spent for local benefit.  A Township office is where an ordinary citizen can walk in off the street, with an appointment, and meet face-to-face with an elected official.

So What Do We Do

• Township Supervisor
  Lockport Township Supervisor is the township’s chief executive officer.  The Super;visor is chairperson of the board of Trustees.  The Supervisor is responsible for the township’s funds and serves as township treasurer.  The Supervisor also oversees General Assistance, and is treasurer of the Road and Bridge Fund.
• Township Clerk
  The Lockport Township Clerk is custodian of all records, books, papers, certificates, oaths and official documents of the township.  The Clerk must give official notice of the Annual Town Meeting (held each April in accordance with state law), special meetings, and certain elections; serves as clerk for the Highway Commissioner, and annually certifies to the county clerk the amount of taxes that must be raised to support Township operations.
• Township Assessor
  Townships set property values for all local properties.  The Lockport Township Assessor might more accurately be called a property appraiser.  The Assessor has no control over the levies of taxing bodies nor the tax rate.  The primary function of this office is to place fair market values on property for taxing purposes.
• Township Highway Commissioner
  Lockport Township has approximately 52 miles of roads.  The Lockport Township Highway Commissioner oversees the construction, maintenance, and repair of roads and rights-of-way within the township’s unincorporated areas.  The Commissioner also lets contracts, employes labor, and purchases necessary materials and machinery.
• Township Trustees
  The four Township Trustees together with the Township Supervisor, and Township Clerk make up the Lockport Township Board of Trustees.  Trustees examine and audit township and road and bridge accounts before any bills are paid; examine the accounts of the Supervisor and those of the Highway Commissioner for all monies which have been received or paid.
• Other services provided by Lockport Township
  Mosquito control, annual township clean-up, animal control, obtain Community Block Grants.

Beautification Project

The Lockport Township Offices have been located at 222 East 9th Street since 1981 when the Central School was renovated into offices.  The now “Central Square Building” houses the Township offices as well as the offices of The City of Lockport and The Lockport Township Park District.  Until recently no major renovations have been made to the building or grounds since it’s original transformation more than 20 years ago.

In a joint effort between the three entities that share the building, a long overdue beautification project was launched and several months of research and planning began.  In the fall of 2003 the grounds of the Central Square Building were transformed into a park like setting that we can all be proud of.

The response to the water fountain, pathways, performance platform, flowers, and new landscaping has been tremendously positive.  It is our hope that community organizations will use the grounds for social events and entertainment.

We invite residents to visit the grounds this spring.  Park benches have been added for you to sit and enjoy the water fountain and foliage.

Additional Photos