Townships are far smaller than government entities such as school districts and municipalities. They generally get less public and media scrutiny.
Under state law, townships have three mandated jobs – maintenance of roads in unincorporated areas, assessment of property values and distribution of “general assistance” to the poor in limited circumstances.
Many suburban townships also choose to offer a variety of social services.
Most states don’t have townships.
In the 2024 election, Democrats won offices in historically Republican DuPage County townships. That included Downers Grove Township, which Democrats now control.
