Northfield Township Binding Referendum on Nov. 3 Ballot

LWVGG  Recommends Voting "Yes" on Referendum Question Regarding Consolidation of Northfield Township and Northfield Township Road District.​

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Referendum Question: “Shall the Road District of the Township of Northfield be abolished with all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities being assumed by the Township of Northfield?”  ​

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Why a "Yes" Recommendation

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​After a study by League members, the League’s consensus was to recommend a "YES" vote on consolidation. In conducting our study, we followed the criteria contained in the League of Women Voters Illinois (LWVIL) 2015 position on Consolidation as well as the core League Principle favoring efficient and effective government. Our League concluded that the consolidation of the Northfield Township Road District into the Northfield Township government will be beneficial in the following ways:

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Efficient and effective operation of government

• One governmental entity, working cooperatively and collaborating as a team -- prepares budgets, provides services, pays bills, plans projects and ensures compliance with contracting requirements.

• One governmental entity eliminates duplicative contracts for professional services (legal, financial), software, communications, memberships.

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Enhanced transparency

• Proposed projects and expenditures would be viewable by the public at monthly and special Township Board meetings, in person, and via recordings.

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Accountability

• Northfield Township Board of Trustee meetings are publicly noticed and open to the public. Agendas are available for review 48 hours before Board meetings. By contrast, the Road District currently does not have its own elected board and Illinois law does not require the Highway Commissioner to attend Northfield Township board meetings. Thus, there is little or no opportunity for public oversight of the Road District.

• If the Road District becomes a Township Road Department, the Department will make an oral report at the monthly Township Board meetings, as the other Township departments do, and be subject to Trustee questioning.

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What's on the November 3 Ballot

 

The November 3 General Election ballot includes three Northfield Township referenda. Two are non-binding and relate to the food pantry and garbage collection.  The third is a binding referendum. It asks voters to decide whether the Northfield Township Road District should be abolished, with its powers, assets, and obligations assumed by the township government.  This third referendum is the one which the League studied.

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What Happens If the Referendum Passes at November 3 election?

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• Prior to 2029, Township would plan to establish Township “Road Department” to provide services under centralized and transparent management.

• Consolidation would occur May 2029 -- when current elected Highway Commissioner’s term expires

• Road District’s 7 employees would transition to Township.

• Following consolidation, road-related budgeting, financial oversight and services to unincorporated areas would come under the purview of the Township Supervisor/Board rather than an elected Road Commissioner.

• Services would be planned as normal, including working with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.​​​

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Seven Township have Consolidated Road Districts

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• Bloomingdale

• Ela

• Naperville

• Worth

• Hanover

• Vernon

• Wheeling

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Reasons for Consolidation

• Efficiency 

• Centralize Management/ Reduce Unnecessary Management 

• Accountability / Transparency 

• Road District was doing a poor job 

• Try to save money, but it really didn’t

• Corruption ​​​​

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Thoughts on Consolidation (based on LWVGG interviews)

No Township felt consolidation was a mistake. They said:

• We did a full assessment of Road District Operations. Found that we weren’t getting our full Motor Fuel Tax dollars (Now corrected)

• We consolidated the Road District with our maintenance areas, so the new department is more like a Public Works department

• Key personnel stayed, so there hasn’t been a loss of knowledge

• Cross-training increased efficiency and improved employee morale

• This was a very successful move for us

• We have not noticed more complaints or really any difference in service. Road District employees stayed on so daily operations continued without disruption.

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UPCOMING LEAGUE PRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE REFERENDUM QUESTION:

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How Will You Vote on the Binding Northfield Township Referendum

on the November 3, 2026 Ballot?  

WHEN:  Wednesday, October 21 @ 1:00 to 2:00 PM
WHERE: Glenview Public Library. Community Room East

WHEN:  Monday, October 26 @ 1:00 to 2:00 PM
WHERE: Northbrook Public Library, Civic Room

“Shall the Road District of the Township of Northfield be abolished with all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities being assumed by the Township of Northfield?” 
 
Join us  to learn about this ballot measure and the results of our League's  recent seven-week study of the issues.  Bring your friends to the meeting!

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