1. THE ROLE OF TOWNSHIPS AND MUNICIPALITIES Rebecca Hendrick, Ph.D. Karen Mossberger, Ph.D. Department of Public Administration UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO With support from THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST

2. Policy Problem  Shifting demographics of poor, working poor and immigrants to suburbs  Rising need with economic crisis  What is the current role of townships and municipalities in social service delivery?  What is their capacity for an enhanced role in the future?

4.  Multiple levels of government in the region have responsibility for social services, including Counties  Townships have statutory responsibility for General Assistance, but may do more  Municipalities have no statutory responsibility, but may deliver or collaborate on services  Nonprofits are important in contracting, grants, and collaboration with governments

5. Little is known about the role of townships and municipalities, and it varies widely across the region  How do social services correspond to needs?  What is the financial, administrative, and political capacity of townships to meet needs?  What are the prospects for municipal collaboration?  What strategies might help meet needs in the region?

6.  Survey all 114 townships in 6-county region (March- September 2008)  Survey all municipalities in Cook and DuPage Counties, plus Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Waukegan, and municipalities in Round Lake area  Financial data on townships and municipalities (Illinois Department of Revenue, Illinois Office of Comptroller)  Data from U.S. Census

7.  Clear differences between high-density townships with little unincorporated area and those on metro edge with more unincorporated land  Urbanized townships tend to specialize in social services, but vary in level and types of services provide  Rural townships often provide fewer social services, and may lack administrative capacity to do more  Gaps – not all high-need areas have services, even in urbanized townships; poverty is growing in some rural areas

8. Service Type% that provide Disability programs56% Senior programs67% Youth programs35% Crime/drug abuse programs27% Employment/training29% Housing assistance32% Food assistance 53% Health/medical (non-GA)38% Energy assistance44%

9.  Depend heavily on property taxes, but cover larger area than municipalities with more diverse revenue base.  They receive little financial assistance from other governments  Poverty and demand for social services is unevenly distributed, even within some townships  Townships that tax & spend more for social services are either high-resource or high-need; not all high- need townships have much beyond GA

10.  Townships have strict limits on maximum tax rates and levy increases  However, only 20-30% say they can meet only a portion of need for social services  Only 15% have taken steps to reduce or eliminate social services or to raise tax levies  The need may be greater: economy has worsened

12.  Townships are small governments with few specialized social service staff  Active townships use contracts and collaboration with nonprofits and other governments  Most rural townships lack capacity to administer GA or other social programs  Voters are not willing to increase levies or add services through higher tax rates

13.  Provide senior and youth services primarily, but much less than townships  Median spending on health and welfare per capita is $3.40  Also use contracts and collaboration with nonprofits and other governments  Perceive fewer current or future unmet needs than townships

14. Wide variation in attitudes Cooperation is necessary68% More joint planning for social services needed41% Uncertain about joint planning31% Municipalities shouldn’t deliver social services40% Uncertain about whether municipalities should deliver social services23%

15.  Advantages: Can be responsive, innovative, collaborative, participatory (volunteers)  Disadvantages: Uneven provision (capacity and will); gaps between needs and resources; little state role in filling gaps

16.  Financial assistance from state and other sources for high-need/low-resource townships  Regional collaboration to target areas of need, promote more equal provision, share information for innovation and capacity. Multiple stakeholders, including townships, municipalities, nonprofits, counties  Information-sharing networks on county/sub-county scale