Monee Annual Town Meeting

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April 19, 2022/Comments Off on Monee Annual Town Meeting
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By Karen Haave
Monee Township’s Annual Town meeting drew only a dozen participants, lasted just under an hour, and provided a wealth of information about local services.
Township Trustee William “Billy” Morgan was elected moderator for the meeting.
Township Supervisor Donna Dettbarn gave a lengthy report detailing the accomplishments of 2021-2022.
“It was another year of the pandemic,” she said, “which affected the whole world. Here at the township, we carried on the business of serving our township residents, with the Food Pantry, General Assistance, and Emergency Assistance.
“We continued to require masks, as it was state policy and, after that was rescinded, continued the policy as we have immunocompromised officials and staff. We will continue pandemic policies until the different variants that pop up are more contained. We are back to in-person meetings for our monthly township meetings, held on the third Thursday of each month and will continue to do so, unless the pandemic becomes more virulent, as in the past.
“Financially, the township is in the black,” she continued. “Monee Township does a lot with your tax dollars. Last year, we received $663,997 in property taxes into the General Town Fund, and we were able to sustain all on-going programs, pay all officials’ salaries, and fund the assessor’s office, which gets almost a third of the taxes collected.
“Your tax dollars also were spent on senior programs, the Will Ride Bus service for seniors and disabled, General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and other outreach programs.
“We also had several special food drive-up distribution days and spent money on upkeep to the township building.”
While COVID curtailed indoor events for seniors, she said, “We did host many drive-up senior box lunch events, instead.
“The township Senior Committee was able to hold the annual Senior Brunch in-person at the Green Garden Country Club in December, a party “our seniors really enjoyed.”
Youth Committee programs also suffered under COVID, Dettbarn noted.
“Hopefully, this year we can restart our Youth Program, and our Trustee Billy Morgan is starting the search for where to hold it and how to staff the program. It was started as a volunteer program, but we will probably hire a part-time coordinator and a few staff to help run it, along with volunteers.”
Dettbarn also noted that Township Trustee Debbie Burgess is planning a blood drive for Wednesday, May 4, at the township building, from 3 to 7 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help, and 10 or more donors are needed to sign up.
The Will Ride busing program meanwhile, “is a costly program, as it costs us approximately $35 per ride, each way,” the supervisor reported.
“Will County does have a grant with the RTA to pay for one-half of that, and also they have an area aging grant, which pays 85 percent, so the township pays much less per ride, but it is still a costly program. This has proven to be a much needed program our board feels is important to pay for, as it helps so many of our residents.”
At the same time, the township is expanding its newsletter to quarterly publication.
“We were publishing three times a year but, as of this year we will be moving to a quarterly newsletter,” Dettbarn said.
“We think four times a year will better-serve our Monee Township residents, as many areas do not have access to local papers. We try to deliver to all Monee Township residents. Our newsletter is very cost effective, costing us just over $10,000 this last year and should cost no more than $16,000 four times a year.
“Our newsletter gives an overview of all township activities, helpful programs, and information on recycling electronics, education tutoring, legal services, ILHEAP, and veterans assistance, and we have an ‘Around the Township’ column that gives loads of community information.”
Township outreach programs continue, she said, for those who are experiencing financial struggles, along with the Thanksgiving Food Baskets, Easter Baskets, Back-to-School Supplies, and Santa’s Sack in December.
“We cannot thank our residents, businesses and schools enough for all their generous donations of money and food throughout the year,” she said. “These donations help keep all our programs going, and thanks to volunteers who helped sort food, wrap presents, and prepare for the give-away day.
“Thanks to our Highway Commissioner David Deutsche and his crew for all their help. They picked up food donations from businesses and schools, and also picked up Toys for Tots in Joliet. They are always there when we need them.
“Also, many thanks to all on the board of trustees, who helped on one or more distribution days, with special thanks to the strong men who helped carry very, very heavy boxes and bags to residents’ cars: James Young, Bobby Lathan, Billy Morgan, James Chambers, and Oscar Trevino from the Senior Committee.”
A big thank you goes to Township Administrator Willa Simmons for her continued leadership in handling all that we do. It could not be done without her. She always has a very kind, gentle way with all people, even when stressed.
“Willa’s job is complex. Besides the day-to-day operations of the township, which includes being the bookkeeper/accountant, customer service, and health care/insurance coordinator, she is also the General Assistance and Emergency Assistance Coordinator. The GA program is a mandated governmental program, which is the last place people go who have no income, do not qualify for social security or medicare, and have nowhere else to go. GA gives them a very small monthly subsidy, and we ask them to contribute work hours to get that.
“Willa also handles the EA, which helps income-challenged township residents pay utility bills or rental assistance. The GA and EA take up approximately one-third to one-half of her duties, sometimes more. She keeps our township running!
“Another thank you goes to our township assistant, Shirley Lathan. She really has been a big help with organizing our holiday and food programs and having her here allows Willa to concentrate on the more detailed needs of the township.
“And thank you also to Ruth Marcukaitis, who is our new office assistant. She helps Shirley with the food programs and holidays programs. Shirley and Ruth are integral to our programs’ success.
“One last thing I want to address is that the township form of government is under constant attack in Springfield. It started with former Governor Rauner wanting to cut what he considered excess taxation, which started an onslaught of bills to get rid of townships. These attacks have slowed due to COVID and very few bills being passed, but  soon they will continue, as COVID comes under control.
“I recently saw an article in the Southland paper complaining about excess units of government. Most townships in Illinois are not excess. They are the closest local form of government that helps people. Monee Township is an integral part of our community. We serve many underprivileged residents, who would have to drive 30 miles to Joliet to get financial help if we were not here.
“Townships are very cost effective,” she continued. “I doubt it would save taxpayers anything to take what we do and give it to the county. It would probably end up costing more. 
“If we were not here, our seniors would not have a place to congregate and socialize, our youth would not be served, our economically challenged residents would not have a nearby place to get financial help or food when hungry, or just advice on where they can go for help.
“Getting rid of townships is a very bad idea, so please ask your state representatives and senators to vote against any bill trying to destroy township government.
“And lastly, I am very thankful that David Deutsche, our highway commissioner, is getting back into the office after scaring us with health problems. David and his crew and the supervisor’s office help each other in so many areas. David, we missed you and thank you again for all you and your guys do.”
The next Annual Town Meeting was set for Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 7:30 p.m., at the Township Hall, 26121 Egyptian Trail in Monee.

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