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HB 2515

LOW POP TWP DIST DISSOLUTION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Joe Sosnowski

Automatically dissolve Illinois townships under 500 residents and transfer all assets, liabilities, and personnel to the containing county, which may levy taxes to fund the duties.

Referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2515

HB 2515 — Low‑Population Township Dissolution (summary)

Status: Introduced Feb 4–5, 2025; Referred to Rules Committee
Primary sponsor (introduced version): Rep. Joe C. Sosnowski

Purpose

HB 2515 requires automatic dissolution of townships with very small populations and transfers their functions, assets, liabilities and personnel to the county that contains the township. The measure is intended to consolidate local government units where population is too low to sustain separate township government operations.

Key provisions

  • Dissolution trigger: All townships with population under 500 are dissolved effective two years after the bill’s effective date.
  • Asset/liability transfer: All real and personal property, other assets, personnel, contractual obligations and liabilities of a dissolving township transfer to the county that contains the township’s geographic boundaries.
  • County authority: On and after the dissolution date, the county may exercise all rights and duties of the former township solely on behalf of residents of that geographic area.
  • Taxing authority: The county board may levy property tax within the former township boundaries to fund duties assumed from the dissolved township.
  • Road districts: All road districts wholly within a dissolving township are dissolved on the same date; their powers and responsibilities transfer to the county. Municipalities within the former township may elect to assume road district duties instead.
  • Elected/appointed officers: Elected township officers and road commissioners cease to hold office and to receive compensation on the dissolution date; the bill states they do not have legal recourse related to the termination of their offices.
  • Conforming amendments: The bill makes conforming changes to the Motor Fuel Tax Law and the Counties Code (to reflect new county responsibilities and revenue flows).
  • Effective date: The bill text schedules township dissolution two years after the act’s effective date; some conforming provisions are noted as effective immediately in versions of the text (see “Timing” below).

Who would be affected

  • Residents and taxpayers living in Illinois townships with population < 500
  • County governments (assume service delivery and liabilities)
  • Township employees, elected officials and appointed road commissioners (positions terminated)
  • Municipalities that may choose to take on road duties
  • Contract counterparties to township agreements

Timeline / Procedural notes

  • Dissolution occurs two years after the bill’s effective date (the bill itself directs the transfer and termination actions on that date).
  • The bill contains conforming statutory changes; some versions indicate immediate effect for specified amendments. Parties should review final enacted language for precise timing.

Potential impacts and issues

  • Administrative consolidation could produce cost savings and streamlined services, but counties assume liabilities and operational responsibilities (including road maintenance) that may increase county costs.
  • Property tax implications: counties may levy a tax within former township boundaries to fund assumed duties, potentially changing tax burdens for local property owners.
  • Workforce and governance impacts: township employees and elected officials lose positions; contractual relationships must be assigned or resolved.
  • Legal and transitional issues: the transfer of contracts, outstanding obligations and litigation risk may require careful implementation planning.

Note: HB 2515 materials appear in multiple bill texts/versions; this summary focuses on the Illinois‑language synopsis that dissolves townships with population under 500 and transfers their duties to counties. Review the final enacted text for exact statutory amendments, applicability rules and any governor or legislative actions after committee referral.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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