Bill
HB 5243
HB 5243 requires a public hearing, tentative budget, and 30-day public inspection before road district budgets in single-township townships in large counties.
Title: TOWNSHIPS-ROAD BUDGETS
Jurisdiction: Illinois
Sponsor: Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro (Co-sponsor: Rep. Brad Halbrook)
Status: Amended bill introduced 2026; various committee steps in 2026, most recently referred to Rules Committee after amendments.
Purpose and intent
- The bill proposes changes to how certain township road districts budget, appropriate, and levy funds for road purposes, and it revises compensation provisions for highway-related officials in specific township configurations.
- It adds a new statutory section aimed at ensuring a formal, public process for road budget adoption and taxation in road districts that are composed of a single township and situated in counties with more than 250,000 inhabitants.
Key provisions (substantive changes)
1) New Section 235-30 of the Township Code (for road districts in single-township townships in large counties)
- Requirement for a public hearing before adopting a budget and appropriation ordinance for road purposes.
- Establishment of a tentative budget process:
- The township board must prepare (or cause preparation of) a tentative budget and appropriation ordinance for road purposes at least 30 days before a public hearing.
- The township clerk must make this tentative budget available for public inspection for at least 30 days prior to final action.
- Notice and hearing specifics:
- The public hearing must occur on or before the last day of the first quarter of the fiscal year.
- Publication notice in a newspaper published in the township (at least 30 days before the hearing); if no newspaper exists, notice may be posted in five of the most public places in the township.
- The township clerk is responsible for arranging the hearing.
- Adoption and levy:
- The township board may adopt all or part of the tentative budget and appropriation ordinance for road purposes as needed.
- The board must levy the amount determined for road purposes and certify to the county clerk the amount to be raised by taxation for road purposes, consistent with Section 6-501 of the Illinois Highway Code.
2) Amendment to Section 6-207 of the Illinois Highway Code (compensation and related procedures for highway officers)
- Governs compensation for highway commissioners and other officers in various district configurations:
- Per diem options are kept or replaced with an annual salary option, with minimums and timing:
- If a salary is not fixed, per diem rates apply, with daily sworn statements required.
- An annual salary of not less than $3,000 can be set, paid in equal monthly installments; the board must fix compensation on or before the last Tuesday in March prior to the commissioner’s election.
- If a commissioner’s term is extended by operation of law, compensation can be increased within statutory limits for the portion of the term beyond the elected period.
- Payment timing:
- Per diem claims are to be paid at the first regular meeting following filing of the sworn statement.
- In consolidated township road districts, compensation and expenses for the highway commissioner, district clerk, and district treasurer are audited by the highway board of trustees.
- Payment sources:
- Highway commissioner compensation generally from the general township fund (single-township districts) or the regular road fund (other districts).
- In single-township districts, up to 50% of the highway commissioner’s salary may be paid from a corporate road and bridge fund or permanent road fund (or both) with approval from the township board and commissioner.
- Per diem for highway board of trustees members for attendance at meetings: $3 per day, paid from the town fund.
- District clerk and district treasurer compensation and duties described, including per-diem rates for official duties and specific fee provisions for services (e.g., notices, postings, certified copies).
- District treasurer compensation: minimum and maximum annual salaries set by the highway board of trustees (in consolidated districts) or by the county board (in counties not under township organization); payments from appropriate road funds as specified.
Effective date
- The act states it takes effect upon becoming law.
Affected entities and potential impacts
- Townships with road districts that are composed of a single township in counties with populations over 250,000.
- Township boards, township clerks, and residents in those townships due to heightened procedural requirements (public hearings, tentative budgets, public access to documents, and published notices).
- Highway commissioners, district clerks, and district treasurers in consolidated township road districts and in districts composed of a single township, due to changes in compensation structure, auditing, and payment sources.
- County clerks (for certification of tax levies) and the Illinois Highway Code framework governing road-related budgeting and taxation.
Procedural/timeline aspects
- Public budget process timeline:
- At least 30 days before a public hearing: preparation of tentative budget; filing with township clerk.
- 30 days of public inspection before final action.
- Public hearing held by the last day of the first fiscal quarter.
- Notice published at least 30 days before hearing (or posted in public places if no newspaper exists).
- Adoption/levy follows the tentative budget and is certified to the county clerk as the amount to be raised by taxation for road purposes (Section 6-501 references).
- Compensation provisions create scheduling and auditing requirements, with deadlines tied to election cycles and board actions.
Overall assessment
- HB 5243 supplements the Township Code with formalized budget procedures for road districts in large-counties’ single-township townships, aiming for greater transparency and public participation.
- It also updates compensation rules for highway officers and administrative staff, providing clearer minimums, payment sources, and auditing requirements.
- If enacted, affected townships would adopt a more structured budgeting process for road funds and clarify compensation practices for highway district personnel.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
