Township Supervisor Denies Donation, Newly Appointed Trustees & Officers Sworn In

At the Township monthly meeting, Liberty Fire Co. the fundraising arm of the Peru Fire Department requested a donation to offset the cost of its Fundraising efforts for Friends and Firefighters fighting for Gary Eccles.  Supervisor Mike Hocking had a communication from Liberty Fire and it was listed as an agenda item but he did not allow trustees to even take a vote whether to approve or deny the request.  Hocking stated that generally the Township does not make donations for individuals.

At the end of the meeting though the Township Supervisor asked for a increase to the donation of the Kids Fishing Expo which Sunrise Rotary is part of.  Hocking asked if they should continue at the $250 donation or raise that to a higher level.  Outgoing Trustee Hyson supported at least a $200 increase but Trustee Bernabei   suggested a $300 donation and that was approved 5-0.  I think this is a wonderful event for kids and its a worthwhile donation but I have to ask recently they have donated to several groups why leave out Liberty Fire Company?

Township Bills for the month (will have copy of these in a week or so)

Town $39,248

Road & Bridge $24,375

General Assistance $3850

Township Balances 

Town $105,397

Road & Bridge $48,185

General Assistance $138,401


The annual audit required by statue will take place sometime next month and Mason Accounting will be doing that.

Also, they discussed the Prevailing Wage Act which is to be voted on next month.

At the end of the meeting the newly elected officials were sworn in and seated.  

Peru Township Monthly Meeting May 20, 2013 What can we expect?

On Monday May 20, 2013 at 4:30 pm you will be able to witness the swearing in of the new Township Trustees, the Township Clerk and the new Highway Commissioner.  

This is a major change in the dynamic of the township board,  controlled by years by the Peru Township Democrats voting power has swayed in the favor of a group that ran its election on reforming the Peru Township.  As a resident of Peru Township I am wondering what changes do you expect to see over the next 4 years.  Are there more people out there like the angry taxpayer that wrote an opinion letter to the editor before election time leading to what this blog believes a huge tide in swaying voters in the trustees race allowing Eddie Mitchell, Chuck Studer and Art Rigby to be voted in. 

 I personally see no issue with anyone person that sits on the Township board, the Supervisor,  the Clerk or the Highway Commissioner.   Some have accused me of being deceitful to the voters and I disagree.  I do not believe in the caucus way of electing people to run for office. The caucus allows for unqualified people to be placed into office on a who you know way of doing business.  Though my campaign was designed around a Republican platform because that is what I know.  Less Government  Less Taxation and more for the people.  

Someone asked me why I went back to the Republican party?  The reason I went back is 2014 and 2016, the future of our state government and the federal government is on the line.  We can not continue the overspending and increased taxation of our citizens. I have always voted for the person and the values this person has that impact me and that's how I vote!

Lets look quickly at the new Township lineup:

Chuck Studer ~  Chuck's no nonsense approach will seen from the start I expect to see his position as stated in his campaign to be open and look to cut spending over the next 4 years.  If SB 1585 comes to pass expect this to be on the ballot in 2014 or 2016. 

Eddie Mitchell ~ Eddie will work hard for taxpayers and I also expect him to stay true to his campaign promises.  He will be able to partner with Studer and Rigby to make sweeping change to upcoming budgets in next 3 years and finally the salary resolution with doesn't come up again until 4 years. 

Art Rigby ~ Another reformer who is not afraid to challenge the norm of the Township.  Art brings a business approach that appealed to voters and I believe he will also be able to push thru changes that others will not consider.  It is my belief that Studer, Mitchell and Rigby will move quickly to create a website in the near future.

Doug Bernabei ~ Chief Bernabei to me is destined for greater things in government in the future, though on the other side of the aisle politically I believe he knows what is right and what is wrong.  I will say that as the future votes comes his way he will know we are watching.  I could see Doug as a state rep or senator in the future and I am interested to see as coverage of Township increases how he votes in those considerations. 

Steve Weberski ~  Steve will know how to do the job of Township Clerk to the dot.  There is no doubt in my mind he will know the ins and outs of the township more than any other person over the next 4 years.  I believe he will make sure the laws of the land are followed. I will also expect Steve to follow the OMA law with regards to the agenda posting which isn't always followed currently.

Matt Debo ~ According to TOI website Matt should have been sworn in last week, for some reason this has not happened.  All eyes are on this position, voted in by 1960 to 1148 most people believe that Joe OSCEPINSKI SR was responsible for Township much like a CEO and that was apparent by the large votes going Debo's way.  I have always respected elected officials and I continue that belief.  Though I disagreed with the spending of the highway department its clearly apparent this runs up though the State of Illinois.  If the proper supervision of the budget would have been in place by the trustees and the supervisor who approves the budgets I believe the race would have been much closer.  What are residents looking for from the Highway Commissioner?  I expect North Pulaski st to come up soon and spending habits will be something looked at over next 4 years.

Mike Hocking ~ Mike is experienced with his knowledge of the township and I believe he will be tested by the new trustees.  Its apparent from the last Town Meeting he is not a supporter of a website for transparency of government and believe the open door policy he states he has is working great.  As the CEO of the township I expect him to continue his grip around General Assistance and not many new programs.  Though I am looking forward to him helping PADS and Meal on Wheels in the future which was a campaign promise of his. Lastly, I hope he opens the door to more transparency by allowing copies of the bills and minutes to be viewed and taken by the public so we the people can hold all the elected officials responsible.  

I wish all these individuals a great 4 years, I know the sacrifice and the commitment they all have made to get to this point and I will work in a positive manner for all the residents of Peru Township.  

A quick side note from the blog:  Comments that mention specific names of non elected officials will be deleted. 



  

What is Senate Bill 1585? Could Township Government change forever?

Amends the Township Code. Provides that upon petition of at least 10% of the registered voters of a township, the county board shall certify and cause to be submitted to the voters of the county, at the next election, a proposition to discontinue and abolish that township's township organization and to transfer all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities of the township organization to the county. Provides that if a majority of the votes of the county cast are in favor of the proposition to discontinue and abolish the township organization, then the township organization in that township shall cease, and all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities of the township shall by operation of law vest in and be assumed by the county board, or county department or officer designated by the county board. Provides that the township officers of any township that is discontinued shall continue as officers of that township until the expiration of the respective terms for which they were elected or appointed. Amends the Property Tax Code, the Public Health District Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code, and the Illinois Highway Code to provide that, for a township organization that has been discontinued and has had its duties, powers, and responsibilities transferred to the county, the county board, or county department or officer designated by the county board, shall assume the duties of the township organization or officer of the township organization, as appropriate, exercised under those Acts. Effective immediately.

SB 1585 has passed 3rd reading in Illinois Senate and now is in the Illinois House to be discussed for the third time.  It is a ways away but I believe by the end of the year this could be law.   The third reading in the Senate was 49-0 and I expect this to be on the Governor's Desk.  The question is will he allow this much control to the voter's.  

If this law was in existence today, in Peru Township a petitioner could get 700 signatures and the county would have no choice but to put it on the ballot for the next election.  I can tell you 700 signatures in this day and age with all the information in place would be easy to get.  

I believe today more than ever that Peru residents are following more of the "Less Government" idea.  I would assume this will make major changes to the Illinois political landscape especially in Townships that are wholly in cities or towns.  Currently, 17 counties do not even have township governments and with 1433 townships in Illinois expect that number to dwindle.  In LaSalle county I expect Townships like Ottawa, Peru and possibly LaSalle with any opposition would be threatened by this passing. The other Townships do show more need with rural roads and larger parcels and those areas have less city benefits.   

County Board members skipping meetings a problem From Ottawa WebTimes

This is a nice investigative article but it doesn't go far enough to tell us what we need to know.  Currently Peru Township is represented by 3 LaSalle County Board Members.  How is their attendance been this year?  I would hope the newspaper goes farther to report this.  Are some government officials abusing the system provided to them.  I think even salaried government officials such punch a time clock to show really how much they make for the actual time provided to taxpayers.

An example of this would be if a Township Official actually works 60 hours a week and makes $42,000 a year approx $13.46 an hour but if that same official is working 25 hours a week and makes $42,000 a year they would be making about $32 an hour.  This is where a time stamp would allow us to hold them accountable.



http://mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=475197

The Illinois Policy Institute's Ten-Point Transparency Checklist, Rationale, and Examples.

Here is a real good article by the Illinois Policy Institute on Transparency.  

Ten things expected to be on every Illinois government website:  

1.    Elected & Administrative Officials: Contact Information
2.    Meeting Information: Calendar (Future) Minutes & Board Packets (Past)
3.    Public records: FOIA submission & FOIA Officer Contact Information
4.    Budgets: General Fund and Special Projects 
5.    Financial Audits: Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports 
6.    Expenditures: Checkbook Register and Credit Card Receipts
7.    Salary & Benefits: Wages, Salary, Overtime, Health, Dental, Life, Pension, etc.
8.    Contracts: Union, Private Contractors, Vendors
9.    Lobbying: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Associations
10.  Taxes & Fees: Sales, Property, Income, and Miscellaneous Taxes, fees on residents & businesses

1.    Elected & Administrative Officials: The website should include contact information (Phone & E-Mail) of all elected officials, the top administrator, and the head administrator for each department.

Rationale: Officials are elected to represent their constituents. In order to do so effectively they should be engaged in regular dialogue and be as accessible as possibly by providing a variety of ways to be contacted.
Administrative staffs are knowledgeable resources, provide constituent services and often enforce ordinances. Because of these roles it is imperative for them to be available to constituents by providing contact information to the heads of each department and not just general information.

2.    Meeting Information: Calendar/Agendas (Future), Minutes & Board Packets (Past). (Prior 5-years)

Websites should include notices about public meetings of its governing board, and minutes of past meetings. Websites should have meeting agendas for future and/or past meetings, and board packets so citizens and elected officials have equal access to the information used to make legislative decisions. 

Rationale:  Citizens should have the knowledge of when an elective body meets and what issues they will be voting on so they can be an informed and engaged in the democratic process. Meetings are one of the few ways the public can engage in true dialogue with representatives. Given the reality of busy schedules, governments should offer an alternative to meeting attendance by posting meetings, agendas, board packets, locations and minutes on their website.

3.    Public records: FOIA submission & FOIA Officer Contact Information

Rationale: While a website with comprehensive transparency will cut down substantially on Freedom of Information Act, FOIA requests provides an important means through which the public can obtain information regarding the activities of government agencies. Governments are required by law to respond to FOIA requests. A public body that maintains a website is required by state law to post its FOIA process and FOIA Officer information prominently on its website per (5 ILCS 140/4) (from Ch. 116, par. 204).



4.    Budgets: The website should include the current-year budget and the budget for the prior 4 years. (5-years total)

Rationale: Budgets show the big picture of what goals and priorities the government established for the year and prior years. Budgets details also serve as a way for taxpayers determine how the government performed in relation to past years.

5.    Financial Audits: The website should include regular audit information for the past 5-years, specifically the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the agency’s total performance. Additionally, websites should include special project report results (such as TIF districts and special construction projects), audit schedules and performance audits for government programs. (Prior 5-years)

Rationale: While budgets give the big picture to constituents, an audit reveals how well the government performs on their goals. An audit reveals how closely elected officials kept their promises, and enable constituents to hold them accountable.

6.    Expenditures: The website should include a Checkbook Register and Credit Card expenditures to all individuals and third-party vendors. (Prior 5-years)

Rationale: Having access to a checkbook register, or bill list, provides timely and pertinent information about government operations to the citizens and taxpayers. Often such bill lists are voted upon by elected officials and citizens should have access to the same information as its leaders. Having expenditure information online deters waste and abuse by government employees, and increases the chances of rectifying problems once they occur.



7.    Salary & Benefits: The website should contain compensation information for each individual employee including Wages, Salary, Overtime, Health, Dental, Life, Pension, etc. (Prior 5-years)

Rationale: Salaries & benefits is the biggest expense area for most bodies of government. Government employees work for the citizens & taxpayers. Citizens should have a right to know how much in compensation they are paying each of their employees as well as knowing the number of employees each body of government has.



8.    Contracts: The website should include rules governing contracts posted online for the last 5-years; including bids and contracts for purchases over $25,000 and the vendor's campaign contributions posted with contract. Labor agreements with all employee groups. (Prior 5-years)

Rationale: Contracts should be available for review so the people can evaluate if the contract was a no bid replacement and/or if the government chose the best solution for its constituents.

9.    Lobbying: If the unit of government belongs to any taxpayer-funded lobbying associations that it helps to fund by paying association or membership dues, that information should be disclosed on the government unit's website. Additionally, if any unit of government directly contracts with a lobbying firm that should be disclosed on a website as well. (Prior 5-years)

Rationale: Almost all government entities have lobbyists on retainer or are members of an association that lobbies on their behalf. This information should be disclosed to constituents, so they can make sure what is being lobbied benefits the community.

10.    Taxes & Fees: Websites should include detailed information for any type of tax or fee that it levies including sales, property, income, and miscellaneous taxes, fees on residents & businesses. A comprehensive fee schedule detailing all taxes is preferred. The information should be easy to find.

Rationale: Citizens should have ready access to tax & fee information. Not only is it important for citizens to know the costs of government, readily available information helps increase collection rates.

Township Highway Commissioner Set to take Oath within next 10 days?

This information  is from the Townships of Illinois Website:

Supervisors, Clerks, Highway Commissioners and Trustees take office on May 20, the third Monday in May.  Salaries that were set for the new term for Supervisors, Clerks, Highway Commissioners and Trustees begin/start on May 20.

The new term will expire on May 14, 2017 and new one starts on May 15.

The oath must be given before an official begins his/her duties. Within eight days of giving the oath, it must be filed in the office of the township clerk or the clerk of the multi-township board, and county clerk. 

The highway commissioner must be given the oath of office within 10 days after he/she is notified of his/her election by the county clerk. Within five days of this oath being given, it must be filed with the township clerk and county clerk.

As Republicans and Independents are set to take positions coming up this month.  We must also reach out to welcome Matt Debo to the post of Highway Commissioner.  Matt will bring sweeping change to Township Highway Department.  I expect when we compare a side by side spending comparison over the next 12 months we will significant decreases in overall fuel usage and supplies spending.  The savings in payroll combined with health care and retirement should help his overall budget going into next year.

I expect when the tax levy comes around next year a decrease will be seen in the Road & Bridge and the Town Budget.  Since salaries are set for Elected Officials for 4 years you wont see a major impact until Nov 2016 when it comes to set the salaries for the next term.  Expect then to see split votes either 4-1 or 3-2 in most cases since the current elected officials are against any major changes in reforming the Township.  Though, reviewing the budget and the Tax Levy I expect a reduction in taxes from the Township next year and the Supervisor and The Road Commissioner will have to work within the boundaries approved by the Trustees.  I hope the Township holds round-table meetings to discuss the budget as a group and with residents so we can help shape a more efficient entity.

Elected Officials Roles, Salaries and Salary Comparison's

Township Supervisor Salary over $41,000

6 out 105 in our Zone 2 Township Supervisor's make over $30,000 according to Townships of Illinois

The Supervisor serves as the CEO of the Township. Duties and responsibilities include serving as Chairperson of the township Board of Trustees, Supervisor of the General Assistance and Emergency Program and as Treasurer of all Town Funds including General Assistance and Road and Bridge Funds. The Supervisor may vote on all matters before the Board. The Supervisor maintains sole jurisdiction over the General Assistance in accordance with the Illinois State Statutes. The supervisor oversees the day to day operations of the Township, prepares budgets, meeting agendas, signs all Township Checks and is responsible for setting up polling places in General Elections. 

Township Clerk Salary over $23,000

1 out of 105 in our Zone 2 Township Clerk's make over $20,000 according to Townships of Illinois

The Township Clerk is the keeper of all Township records except for active General Assistance cases. The Clerk is required to keep accurate records of all Township Board meetings and maintain records of the Board?s executive sessions. The Clerk serves as the Local Election Authority and is responsible for accepting petitions concerning Township elections and/or referendums. The Clerk is responsible for posting and publishing legal notices, including notices for the Highway Commissioner. The Clerk also maintains all records for the Highway Commissioner and must witness bid openings for both the Township and the Highway Commissioner. The Township Clerk is vital to the operation of a well run Township.  

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES Salary of $3000 

34 out of 105 in our Zone 2 Trustees make over $1000 a year according to Townships of Illinois

Trustees are the Legislative Branch of Township. They set policies that are enacted by the Township Supervisor and Township Clerk but not for the Highway Commissioner or the Assessor. Trustees certify tax levies for the Township and the Road District; adopt the annual Township budget and appropriation ordinance; the General Assistance and the Road District budget. Trustees are Responsible for approving all Township expenses and auditing the bills submitted for payment by the Highway Commissioner. The Trustees must approve most bills before the Township Supervisor can pay them.

Highway Commissioner Salary over $40,000

40 out of the 105 in our Zone 2 Trustees make over $30,000 according to Townships of Illinois

The Highway Commissioner is the administrator of the day-to-day operation of the infrastructure maintenance. The Commissioner is responsible for the construction and maintenance of all road and bridges in the road district. This job is critical to the needs and safety of Township residents.
The Highway Commissioner must submit an annual tax levy for the following year to the Township Board for certification. The Commissioner must submit a proposed budget to the Township Board for Posting, review and adoption. Once the budget is approved, the Highway Commissioner has statutory power to expend the funds according to the line items established. The Highway Commissioner runs the Road District as a separate governmental entity and neither the Township Board nor the Township Supervisor has any jurisdiction over the Highway Commissioner or the employees. 

Township Assessor Salary over $40,000 

19 out of the 48 in our Zone 2 Trustees make over $30,000 according to Townships of Illinois

The office of the Assessor is the only elected position that has statutory, pre-election requirements. Candidates must obtain the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer designation from the Illinois Property Assessment Institute before they can run for office. And once elected they must complete continuing education requirements. The Township Assessor is more appropriately an appraiser. The Assessor's responsibilities include the mass appraisal of all taxable property within the Township. This entails discovering, listing and valuing all new construction, ensuring that existing property is valued at the appropriate statutory level of market value, and assuring that similar property is valued in a uniform manner. Assessors must determine the market value of all taxable property, which is then assessed at 33.33% of market value. The Assessor must submit a budget to the Township Board for approval to fund the day-to-day operations of the Assessors Office.


Zone 2 includes the following counties:

Boone   DeKalb   Grundy   Kankakee   Kendall    LaSalle   Lee   Ogle   Winnebago