Priorities for the Your York Team Ticket include continuing to implement technologies that provide greater access to services for residents, expanding food pantry operations to serve more people in this time of tremendous need, and ensuring that seniors in York Township receive proper care and can safely access programs while mitigating the risks of COVID-19. The Your York Team Ticket plans to deliver on these ideas and more all while maintaining a balanced budget.

REAL EXPERIENCE WITH REAL RESULTS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

SENIOR SERVICES

With an aging society, greater demands need to be met, and your York Township elected officials are ready to meet the challenges our seniors face during their Golden Years.  Our Team needs your vote to continue to improve the quality of life for you and all the citizens of York Township.

• We have been particularly active in the area of senior programs, and as demand for senior services continue to increase, we stand ready to answer the call. York Township is already an established leader in providing high quality programs, services, and facilities to our seniors. We are the only township in DuPage County to have an on-premise kitchen, staffed with our own cooks, who prepare delicious well-balanced meals. This includes “Meals on Wheels”, which are delivered by volunteers to seniors in their homes, and meals served in our dining room. Our Senior Nutrition Department has prepared and served well over 200,000 meals in the last 5 years.

• Our Transportation Department, the finest in DuPage, which uses well-maintained York Township roads, has provided more than 8,500 rides last year to seniors including, doctor’s appointments, dialysis treatments and grocery shopping. We have tripled handicap parking spaces at the Township Hall, ensuring seniors of all abilities have easy access to remain involved and informed in local government.

• Our York Township Senior Advisory Committee is constantly exploring ways to enhance existing programs as well as develop new ones; like art classes and computer classes for seniors who are interested in coming into the computer age. We provide free internet access to seniors, movies every week, blood pressure testing, health fairs, mature driving classes, energy assistance programs, prescription drug assistance and help with income tax returns, Zumba, Line dancing, chair yoga, Tai-Chi, massage, pedicures, barber and beautician services are also available. We also have a free medical lending closet that includes wheelchairs, canes, walkers which can be borrowed and Senior Health Insurance Programs (Medicare) counseling.

• Our Senior Advisory Committee continues to work with the Attorney General’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office and other agencies to schedule educational seminars regarding identity theft, home improvement fraud, tax and real estate scams and etc.

FOOD PANTRY & GENERAL ASSISTANCE

York Township operates an on-site, client choice Food Pantry for individuals and families in need. Township government was formed for the purpose of assisting low income, homeless, and unemployed residents. Emergency Assistance with food, rent, utilities, and medications is available to qualified residents.

• Just Under 10,000 citizens within the Township were helped via the Food Pantry that is managed by the Township Employees and volunteers.

• 104,000 pounds of food was purchased in 2020 using donated funds raised as a result of the efforts of the Township Team. This is in addition to the food that was donated by local grocery stores, school drives, businesses, churches and residents.

• Around 2,000 Children within the Township were fed via the Food Pantry.

• The Food Pantry recently received grants which were used for the purchase of an outside standalone freezer/cooler to store more food due to increased utilization of the food pantry services and and outdoor canopy with heaters to better serve our residents during the colder months.

• Provided $147,632 in general assistance in 2019 and processed 365 applications for utility assistance (LIHEAP).

BALANCED BUDGET

Your York Team will protect taxpayers through balanced budgets while finding creative and innovative ways to expand programs and services at no additional costs. It is our duty and responsibility to the community to be responsible stewards of every tax dollar. We will always ensure that every township program is as efficient and effective as possible. Over the last fifteen years, we have maintained a balanced budget and continued to be one of the smallest portions of your property tax bill. This has been accomplished all while being able to expand and enhance the services offered by the York Township Food Pantry and Senior Center. We will continue to deliver for our community and meet our goals. We will continue to maintain a balanced budget each year, stretch every tax dollar, and ensure every cent spent benefits the residents of York Township.

• When first elected, Supervisor John Valle, took a budget that was in the red and quickly brought it back into the black while improving services.

• Reviewing every budget line item to ensure the taxpayers are getting the maximum value on every dollar spent.

• The Township Team will continue to make economic capital improvements that will help the budget long term. Through an Illinois State grant from the department of Commerce, the Township upgraded and improved our interior building lighting with L.E.D’s that has estimated savings that will pay for itself and lead to cost savings by year 4. The Township Team will also continue to maintain and upgrade key components of building HVAC systems to increase efficiency.

• Continuing to cross-train staff on multiple responsibilities to improve operational productivity and increase the service level to Township residents.

ROAD REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

Your York Team will continue the exceptional services of our Highway Department that is responsible for approximately 68 lane miles of roads and rights-of-way in the unincorporated areas in York Township. Under the current leadership of Highway Commissioner, Richard “Dick” Schroeder, the Highway Department has been a leader in DuPage County.

• Instituted a Township road improvement plan of installing concrete curb and resurfacing the unincorporated roadways while maintaining a balanced budget.

• Negotiated and entered into intergovernmental agreements with all 9 municipalities within the township to ensure efficient and cost-effective drainage and roadway improvements.

• The only DuPage Township that offers free year-round electronic recycling to our residents.

• Worked with DuPage County to bring much needed sanitary sewers to unincorporated areas.

• Helped coordinate all 9 DuPage Townships to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with DuPage County to secure bulk pricing on road salt. This enabled us to secure a cheaper price than the state bid prices. Many local municipalities have joined us to take advantage of the lower pricing.

• We have completed and continue to work with DuPage County and our residents to solve flooding issues.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

We will always ensure that the residents of York Township can safely access programs while mitigating the risks of COVID-19.

• Your York Team will continue to work with our partners at the federal, state, and county levels to secure funding to ensure resident and employee safety.

• Through grants the Township has purchased personal protective equipment such as a face masks and gloves, standing and bottled hand sanitizers, temperature monitoring devices, and installed sneeze guards throughout the entire building.

• The Township building is an official heating and cooling center - which means that residents in need can utilize the facility during times of extreme inclement weather, either extreme heat or extreme cold, if they are unable to seek shelter elsewhere. To that effect, the Township has obtained additional grants to offset the cost of installing virus eliminating air purifiers throughout the building and a new back up generator to ensure the the Township is there for the residents when they need it most.

TRANSPARENCY AND TECHNOLOGY

York Township serves a diverse population, and we aspire to ensure that township services are readily available to all residents regardless of income, mobility, or language. We will continue to implement technologies that will provide greater access to township services and improve communication to all residents.

• Property information has been added online for over 46,000 properties in York township including detailed property square footage drawings for most residential properties. This gives residents the confidence and information to ensure their property assessments are accurate.

• Newly revamped website design to ensure all helpful Township program details, links and contact information can be found by residents.

• Listened to the community and improved the website by adding Contact Forms to simplify resident requests.

FIGHTING FOR EXPANDED PROPERTY TAXES RELIEF AND AWARENESS

We will continue outreach efforts, so that all homeowners in York Township are aware of property tax exemptions they are eligible for and have confidence in the accuracy of their property assessments. The entire York Team will fight for expanding Homeowner and Senior Citizen property tax exemptions to help bring property tax relief to York Township residents.

• Assessor Deanna Wilkins will continue to collaborate with representatives from both sides of the aisle to host property tax assessment outreach presentations to help residents understand the property assessments process.

• Deanna continues to pursue legislation for an increase in the Residential Exemption for homeowners and other efforts have resulted in tax relief for homeowners and senior citizens in York Township.

• Committed to keeping certified office personnel who live and work in our communities and who have a vested interest in assisting residents in understanding property valuations & exemptions.