TOI Scholarship Winners for 2008!

| Township Map | TOI Staff | Contact Information | Benefits of Membership |

TOI Board of Directors

Township Government's History...

Six Illinois high school seniors received $2,000 scholarships in TOI's Scholarship Program this year.
To be eligible for a Township Officials of Illinois Scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be a graduating Illinois high school senior with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and resident of Illinois.
• Must have a history of extracurricular activities that demonstrates a willingness to accept leadership responsibilities (student government, club officer, etc.) or a commitment to civic responsibility, social consciousness and a willingness to serve the community (community service projects, volunteer activities with local service agencies or charitable institutions, etc.)
• Must submit a 500-word essay on The Role of Township Government in Today’s Society and in the Future that will include an interview with a township official.
• Must submit two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, local officials or business people.
• Must submit an official high school transcript.
• Must submit a cover letter and completed application form.
• Must plan to enroll at an Illinois school as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree.
• Next year’s program will get underway Jan. 1, 2009 when the application will be in Township Perspective and on our Web site, www.toi.org.

This year’s winners are:

CALLIE WEST of Geneseo Township (Henry County) has been awarded the $2,000 Memorial Scholarship from Township Officials of Illinois. She is the daughter of Bruce and Julie West. A 2008 graduate of Geneseo High School, Callie plans to attend the University of Illinois, majoring in elementary education. Her high school memberships/activities include National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society; Illinois State Scholar; Student Council; Thespians; Foreign Language Club; Choir; FFA; Madrigal; Musical; National Anthem Vocalist. Callie has also been a volunteer at Hammond-Henry Hospital, and for Northside Elementary School. She operates her own business, Callie’s Cookies. Here is Callie’s essay:

            Even though we may not realize it, each one of us is impacted in some way by the township government where we live. Even if we live in an urban area, the township government still plays a contributing role in making sure that society runs smoothly. As a child, my day care provider was a township assessor and I can remember going “’sessing” with her and all of the fun I had learning how to help. In the same sense, my grandmother, Arlene West, has been a township official for many years and has shared with me some about what she does. As the clerk, she is responsible for attending all the township meetings and taking notes. She does not vote except in the case of a tie. She is also one of a few people who are members of a multi-township district between Logan and Trivoli Townships.
            Township governments, while they are some of the smallest units of government, are also the government that the people would have a larger opportunity to become involved in. They are responsible for coordinating maintenance of the roads in the country, as well as providing salt and snow removal in the winter. Also, some township governments are responsible for cemeteries that may be under their jurisdiction. Another important duty of township governments is to provide for individuals or families that apply for general assistance by supplying them with food, clothing, and heat, whatever they may need. They support the elderly and, as in my grandmother’s township, make contributions to organizations such as 4-H that support the youth of the area.
            Because township governments are so small, the future doesn’t look especially promising for some, especially in the urban areas. Because of urbanization, for areas where the township government won’t have much rural land to be responsible for, many of the duties previously accomplished by the township government will be taken over by other entities. For example, oftentimes the banks have already taken control of the tax collector’s job and as time goes on, the need for the township governments to provide other services will decrease.
            It is through the existence of township governments that many communities are able to operate successfully. Without the services provided by the township governments, whether it is road care or family support, our society here in the Midwest wouldn’t be nearly as organized and efficient. During the winter, it is with the help of the township snowplows that school buses can run and school can operate on a more reliable schedule. They also provide the support necessary to provide upkeep for cemeteries and numerous other needed services. Despite the fact that urban areas may assume some of the roles of township governments, the township governments will continue to play an important role in governmental decisions. In the future, township governments will continue to be very important in caring for their constituents, all of us.

DAYNA BRUSS of Loda Township (Iroquois County) has been awarded the $2,000 William Z. Ahrends Scholarship from Township Officials of Illinois. She is the daughter of Tracy Rodriquez and John Bruss. A 2008 graduate of Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School, Dayna plans to attend Parkland Community College, and major in Psychology upon attending a four-year school. Her high school memberships/activities include Show Choir and Chorus. Dayna is employed by Prairie Gardens, has been a bookkeeping assistant at Meadowbrook Community Church, and gives piano lessons and plays piano for monthly banquets at Knights Templar Nursing Home in Paxton. She has also volunteered at Swan School in Champaign. Following is Dayna’s essay:

Township governments play a very important role in today’s society.  We often overlook township government, not even realizing the areas in our communities which are affected by this branch of our government.  According to Loda Township Trustee Gerald Weaver, townships are mandated by state law to provide three main services for the citizens within their jurisdiction:  general assistance, property tax assessment, and maintenance of roads and bridges.  These services supplement those provided for by our other local government branches.
            General assistance is where township governments give financial assistance to struggling individuals within the township to help provide for their basic needs.  Many eligible citizens have been temporarily helped during difficult times in their lives such as when unemployed or ill.
            The second service provided by township governments is the assessment of real estate parcels within township boundaries.  This responsibility is what determines property tax assessments which generate the tax money to fund many important services.
            The third service mandated by state law is to maintain roads and bridges in the unincorporated township areas.  When roads and bridges need maintenance like repaving, plowing, or re-marking, township governments are the ones for the job.  Without their aid, transportation would be hazardous and inefficient.
            Although these three services are the only ones required, township governments have the freedom to assist with other needs that arise within their jurisdiction.  Townships not only maintain roads and bridges, but often also maintain cemeteries and libraries, two places that must be looked after for the good of the people.  When we visit a freshly-mowed cemetery or newly-painted library, we should remember that it was our township that worked hard to maintain them.
            Townships also can help local communities start and maintain senior citizens’ programs.  An example of one of these services, as seen in many townships, is establishing and helping to fund a program for seniors who are unable to drive themselves to buy groceries, go to doctor’s appointments, etc.  Townships step in and help provide transportation for these individuals in the form of a bus or van service which can be utilized for free or for a nominal charge.  Many senior citizens receive important services from their local township governments.
            In communities with many young people, townships often help provide after-school programs for the care and enjoyment of the youth.  These programs help keep youths safely occupied and out of trouble until their parents come home from work.
            Township governments also get involved in disaster situations such as flooding or tornados.  By working together with the county and state governments, they can ask for assistance in times of disaster and play a crucial role in helping communities which have been impacted.
            The township supervisor, clerk, and trustees oversee the spending of township funds to carry out these services and programs.  These elected officials represent the general public.  They make decisions based on the wishes of the people, so they hold the people’s trust. Therefore, they must be very responsible and faithful to their services.  These officials have important roles.  They are the decision-makers who determine strategic direction for the township.  They are also judiciary stewards, ombudsmen, educators who learn the issues that affect their jurisdictions, informants who let the people know of changes and needs, motivators who seek public involvement, and participants in their community and government.  With such important roles in the community, these officials must always be there to educate and motivate people for anything that comes up with the needs of the township.  They must always be aware of strategic direction, focusing on township programs and services as well as resource development.
            Township governments not only meet the three services mandated by state governments, but they go above and beyond what is required to meet as many needs as they can.  Township officials supervise these decisions and give of their time and effort to create the most cared-for communities possible.  There are so many needs that would not be met by the larger branches of government and which our township governments effectively and devotedly provide for.  We can be very thankful that township governments exist in today’s society and will continue in our future. 

ERIN BEETSTRA of Alden Township (McHenry County) has been awarded the $2,000 Delbert Miller Scholarship from Township Officials of Illinois. She is the daughter of John and Amy Beetstra. A 2008 graduate of Harvard High School, Erin plans to attend Illinois State University. Her high school memberships/activities include Student Council, Scholastic Bowl Team, FFA, Softball, Track. She is employed at Red’s Tavern and Pizzeria, is a member of the First Presbyterian Church youth group and New Wave 4-H Club. She has also been involved with the Big Brothers-Big Sisters organization. Following is Erin’s essay:

Township government was the brain child of one of our greatest founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson.  Since 1850, when the first township was formed with elected officials, township government has served the residents of Illinois.  To this day, a township government remains a “grassroots government”, the closest level of government to the people.  Some people even speculate that township government is the last division of pure democracy in the United States.
            Normally, a township will be governed by an elected group of people that includes a supervisor, a board of trustees, an assessor, a highway commissioner, and a clerk. Each position is in charge of several different tasks.  For example, the supervisor serves as the chief executive officer and partakes in almost every day-to-day function.  He or she prepares budgets and financial reports, presents bills, and votes on all legislative decisions. Trustees approve bills and vote on how to spend money.  Determining the market value of property within the township is the job of the assessor. Highway commissioners maintain and manage roads, signs, and streetlights.  Finally, the clerk keeps detailed minutes of every meeting, administers oaths, and must vote on topics in the result of a tie.
            Today there are 1,433 townships in 85 different counties, and all of these townships are in charge of providing three basic services to society and to its community: general assistance programs, property assessments, and road and bridge maintenance. General assistance programs provide help to the needy. People who qualify for these programs will receive money from the township to help bring them to local standards of living. Property assessments determine the amount of property taxes that the owner or owners owe.  A good assessor can prevent tax payers from squandering away unnecessary money on taxes. Lastly, township governments are responsible for the maintenance of roads inside of their boundaries.  Roads are vital to every single task of society including, police and fire protection access, mail services, school bus access, and commuter access. Therefore, their maintenance and upkeep is extremely imperative for regular function.
            I believe that a promising future lies ahead for township government, even though grassroots governments are viewed as a waste of time and money by some. Even though township governments may seem mildly archaic, their “back to basics” approach in dealing with local issues is very effective.  A township government can assess small problems close to home much quicker than a state or federal government system could. In the future, township governments will continue all the duties they now possess and more.  Township governments will continue to do what is right for society by embracing change, keeping open minds, seeking newer, more cost effective ways of dealing with problems, and by listening to the people.
In conclusion, the role of township government to society was nicely summed up in a quote by John Beetstra, Alden Township trustee, “Who better knows the needs of the community better than its citizens?”  Township governments were established by the people, for the people, to directly provide assistance, property assessments, and road maintenance.  Nowadays township governments continue to listen to and help their communities and societies, alike.  However, the most important thing that a township government continues to do today is to make a difference for the better.

ROSS RECKER of Johannisburg Township (Washington County) has been awarded the $2,000 Carolyn Langan Scholarship from Township Officials of Illinois. He is the son of Ronald and Glenda Recker. A 2008 graduate of Okawville High School, Ross plans to attend University of Illinois, majoring in Crop Sciences. His goal is to work for an agricultural company as a seed representative or crop production consultant, and continue to work on the family farm. His high school memberships/activities include Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Band, Chorus, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Team, Math Team, FFA. Ross was a custodian at Okawville High School for two summers, and he works with his father on the family farm. He is a 4-H and University of Illinois Extension Council member, and is involved in Lutheran Youth Fellowship. Here is Ross’s essay:

There is much more to a township than just a piece of land six miles wide and six miles long. Thirty-six square miles can be perceived in many different ways.  Certain thirty-six square miles can be dense in population, while others may have very few people living in them at all.  Some may have this diversity within its own thirty-six square miles.  Surveyors classify thirty-six square miles as a measurement of area.  I think of it in a different way.  When I think of thirty-six square miles, I think of a township.  I think of a group of people that have an opportunity to govern themselves on a local level.  A township’s government is made up of numerous elected officials, each with their own duties. Township government plays a major role in today’s society.  As the most basic level of our government, I hope it will continue to impact the lives of Illinois residents.
There are 1,433 different townships in Illinois.  They vary in many ways such as population density and culture.  However, township governments are made up of the same basic officials that have certain roles in government and society.  The township supervisor is the chief executive officer of the township.  This official assumes duties that include chairman of the township board of trustees, treasurer of all town funds, and supervisor of the general assistance program.  The township supervisor also may vote on all matters before the town board.  The town clerk is another very important township official.  The town clerk keeps almost all the records for the township government including minutes, executive session records, and records for the highway commissioner.  Four trustees are also elected at-large to make up the board.  They are a vital part of township government because they vote on the bills and without voters, nothing can be decided.  The trustees adopt many bills such as the town budget and the appropriation ordinance, the general assistance budget and the road district budget.  The highway commissioner’s duties require this official to construct and maintain all roads and bridges in the district.  Our township’s highway commissioner clears the snow off the roads, which I am sure he is doing on this snowy evening.  The township assessor appraises all taxable property.  The township I live in actually is part of a multi-township assessment district where the assessor works in three different townships.  In Illinois, there is also a township tax collector in counties with a population over 150,000.  For this reason, the township that I live in does not have a tax collector.
Each official has a role in township government, but more importantly, the township plays a role in society.  A township government gives people the opportunity to serve as officials and participate in local government.  Those people who are not officials can voice their opinions to the trustees and other township officials.  I consider it much easier to be heard at the local township level in comparison to a state or county level of government.  I believe that is why township governments are so important and should continue to function in the future.  Township governments can effectively make decisions concerning the people of the township because the issues are close to home.  At higher levels of government, decisions are made over a much larger area and each individual voice can not be heard.  The small size of township governments makes it possible for everyone to have a voice.
Townships differ in many ways, but they all have elected officials with particular duties that make up an essential part of today’s society and government.  Thirty-six square miles are more than a measurement of area.  This measurement represents a township with many people with various opinions.  It is the township government that provides an opportunity for all of those people to be heard.

JORDAN REIFSTECK of Harlem Township (Winnebago County) is recipient of the $2,000 Troy Kost Scholarship. He is the son of Jeff and Tammy Reifsteck. A 2008 graduate of Harlem High School, he plans to attend the University of Illinois/Chicago in pre-medicine, with a goal of specializing in pediatric oncology. His high school activities/memberships include: Illinois State Scholar, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Ambassador, head attorney of Harlem Township Teen Peer Court, National Honor Society president. Jordan has volunteered at SwedishAmerican Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Clinic. He also was a lab intern at the University of Illinois Medical School and ThermoFisher Scientific. This is his essay:

The democratic government of the United States is structured in such a way that every citizen has a voice and the ability to bring forth change in his or her community. Nevertheless, with over 300 million people currently residing in this country, it is practically impossible for the federal and state governments to hear every voice. The solution to this issue is the township form of government. Also known as the “grass roots government”, townships in the United States work directly with the American people to cater to their needs. Townships maintain roads and bridges, assess property, and provide a great variety of social services for those in need. Furthermore, all of these duties are performed with a very limited budget while critics constantly question the viability of this form of government. Many individuals claim that townships are old fashioned and have no place in modern day America; however, without them, the voices of millions of Americans may be silenced.
            At this time there are 1,433 townships in the state of Illinois that serve over 8 million people. Furthermore, the fact that townships operate at the local level, unlike their federal and state counterparts, allows for a much more personal relationship with the people of a community. Michael Goral, supervisor of the Rockford, IL township, says that townships “fill a void” that exists between the American people and the federal and state governments. One need not swim through an ocean of answering machines and secretaries to reach a township supervisor, he or she simply needs to call that supervisor’s office and ask to speak to him or her.
            Townships have three main duties- to maintain roads and bridges, assess properties, and implement social service programs to benefit those in need. While maintaining public road ways and assessing properties are very important duties, the most vital function of a township is its ability to provide social services to the disadvantaged.             The Rockford Township has implemented a program called “General Assistance”. Mr. Goral describes this program as one that provides emergency care to individuals in need who are not already receiving aide form other government agencies. These individuals receive a grant as well as medical assistance while they find a job and create better lives for themselves.
I reside in the Harlem Township of Illinois, and I have been very fortunate to participate as the head attorney in my Township’s Teen Peer Court program. The function of this program is to relieve some of the pressure on the main judicial court system by hearing “low-profile” cases involving defendants that are minors. This program utilizes a real court system that includes a judge, jury, and attorneys who all work together to decide a defendant’s fair and impartial punishment for his or her crime.
            The township form of government has functioned in North America since 1636, and while many critics proclaim townships to be unnecessary in today’s modern America, the termination of this “grass roots” government would expand the void between the American people and its government. Townships work directly with the people of communities. They perform duties that would be very difficult for the federal and state governments to perform, and they allow the American people to feel involved in the governmental process of this country. The United States of America stands for freedom and democracy, but without townships, some of that freedom and democracy would disappear forever.

NICHOLAS FOTI of Belvidere Township (Boone County) is recipient of the $2,000 Barbara Behm Scholarship. He is the son of John and Lisa Foti. A 2008 graduate of Boylan Catholic High School, he plans to attend Bradley University. His high school activities/memberships include: National Society of High School Scholars, Northern Illinois Conference Scholar Athlete. Athletically, Nicholas was on Boylan’s diving, tennis, cross country, soccer and wrestling teams. He is an Eagle Scout and is a team leader for youth at Holy Family Church. He also was a lab intern at the University of Illinois Medical School and ThermoFisher Scientific. This is his essay:

The role of township government is to provide local public services.  These services range from maintaining roads and bridges to property tax assessment and assisting individuals and families in need.  Township governments are in a great position to serve their local community since the people who work for the township government live in the community they serve.  Therefore, township government employees are uniquely aware of the public needs in their local community relative to transportation and general public services.  Township governments can quickly respond to local needs involving road repair, maintenance and emergencies due to natural disasters.  The recent record snowfall in Rockford, IL for the winter of 2007-2008 has highlighted the need for township governments to maintain clear and safe roadways while assisting motorists stuck on snow packed roads.
Major projects such as bridge construction and repair including roadway construction and repair cannot occur without the support and services of a local government organization such as the township government.  Equipment for road and bridge construction is extremely expensive with construction projects requiring significant labor to plan and complete.  Road and bridge construction projects also need to occur during certain times of the year and certain times of the day to minimize impact to the general public.  The area covered by most township governments is also large relative to the number of people working for the township.  According to the Township of Illinois website, township governments maintain over 53% of all the roads in Illinois. 
In addition to maintaining bridges and roads, township government also performs the tax assessment for property in the township.  This function connects the taxpayers in the township to the public services utilized.  Public money is allocated to areas in the local community that are in most need of repair or service.  Township officials prioritize and allocate the public money to best serve their local community.
Township governments also perform the critical role of providing food and shelter for homeless or displaced people in the local community.  This role is extremely important when natural disasters suddenly strike an area.  In January 2008, a tornado devastated the Edwards Apple Orchard in Poplar Grove, Illinois and several nearby homes.  Local government was quickly at the scene to assist families displaced by the storm and clear roadways of debris to maintain safe passage for local residents.
The role of township government in the future will continue to grow and change as the society changes.  Change and growth is necessary to maintain and improve the quality of life in local communities outside the large metropolitan areas.  The future role of township governments could involve a greater focus on public education, communication and public safety.  Township governments need to continue to work closely with other government organizations to maintain good communication relative to public safety.  Utilizing the latest tools in communication and global positioning, townships can effectively cover a large area during severe storms or natural disasters.  By thinking globally and acting locally, future public safety plans could include ways to protect the public and infrastructure from terrorist attacks.  Township governments could also work with scientists and engineers to develop better materials for roads and bridges to prolong maintenance and repair.  Overall, the future of township government is bright based on a strong history of service and assistance to local communities.  Township governments will change as society changes to maintain the quality of life for citizens living in the townships.