Libertyville Township, Lake County, Illinois

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Libertyville Township, situated in Lake County, Illinois, United States, encompasses a population of 53,139 as of the 2010 census. The township, established on November 6, 1849, includes the village of Libertyville, along with parts of Green Oaks, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Mettawa, Mundelein, North Chicago, Rondout, Vernon Hills, and Waukegan.

Covering an area of 36.5 square miles, with 1.1 square miles consisting of water bodies, Libertyville Township boasts several lakes, including Big Bear Lake, Butler Lake, Harvey Lake, Liberty Lake, Little Bear Lake, Minear Lake, and West Lake. Additionally, the township is traversed by Bull Creek, which flows into the Des Plaines River.

In 1985, Libertyville Township pioneered the first Township Open Space District in Illinois, funded by a bond referendum of 22.6 million dollars. Since 1986, over 1,500 acres of open space have been preserved, including Oak Openings and Liberty Prairie, designated as Illinois Nature Preserves.

Cities and towns within Libertyville Township include Green Oaks, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Mettawa, Mundelein, North Chicago, Vernon Hills, Waukegan, and the census-designated place Knollwood CDP. Additionally, Rondout is an unincorporated town situated in the township.

Adjacent townships to Libertyville include Warren Township to the north, Waukegan Township to the northeast, Shields Township to the east, West Deerfield Township to the southeast, Vernon Township to the south, Ela Township to the southwest, Fremont Township to the west, and Avon Township to the northwest.

History of Townships in the United States

In the United States, townships represent the oldest form of government still in operation today. Dating back to 1636, American settlers introduced this system as a way to escape the autocratic governance prevalent in Europe. This grassroots democratic process was carried out through town meetings, where residents gathered to discuss important matters and establish local laws.

In Illinois, township government was established in 1849 following the adoption of the Illinois Constitution of 1848. This constitution allowed voters in each county to choose between establishing township governments or adopting a county commission form of government without townships. Presently, 85 out of the 102 counties in Illinois operate under the township form of government, with a total of 1,433 townships serving over eight million residents.

Townships are distinct geographic areas separate from cities and counties. While a large city may contain multiple townships, a single township may encompass several smaller towns. Township government functions at the local level and is intended to address the basic needs of the community. It is designed to operate closely with the residents it serves, particularly in rural areas where townships often serve as the primary source of social services and road maintenance.

Illinois townships are mandated by law to fulfill three primary functions:

• General Assistance: Providing food, shelter, or emergency relief to individuals in need until they are able to support themselves or qualify for other forms of assistance.
• Property Assessment: Township Assessors determine property values for all properties within the township.
• Road and Bridge Maintenance: Townships collectively maintain approximately 71,000 miles of roads in Illinois, representing over half of the state's total road miles.

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