General and Special Purpose Units of Government Add up in Illinois Originally printed in Link, November/December 2021 edition
Understanding the different types of government might help frame the question, “how much is too much?” In Illinois we have general-purpose and special-purpose units of government. Our general-purpose units are counties, townships and municipalities. As a general-purpose unit, they are responsible for providing multiple services, including transportation, protection, entertainment, and public health and welfare services.
To the contrary, special-purpose units are created to perform a single service or combination of related services. Examples include library, park and recreation, fire
protection and even school districts whose primary service is to provide education. Of our 6,918 units of government, special-purpose districts make up 3,204.
In most cases, general-purpose units of government can provide the same services offered by special-purpose units. Does that make special-purpose government redundant, confusing and costly to taxpayers? Often, the answer is “yes.” However, in some situations, that local-level unit can perform services more efficiently, with less cost and a closer relationship to the residents.
|
General Purpose Unit of Government |
Number |
Examples of the Roles of General-Purpose Units of Government The primary purpose of local government is to serve as a subunit of the state. |
|
County |
102 |
Regulatory: local ordinances, law enforcement, police powers
|
|
Township |
1,429 |
General Assistance: emergency food, shelter and assistance
|
|
Municipality (Cities, Villages, Towns) |
1,297 |
Meet the needs of citizens: utilities, police, fire, streets, curbs, sidewalks, garbage pickup |
Examples of Special Purpose Units of Government
|
Airport |
Housing |
Soil & water |
|
Cemetery |
Library |
Solid waste |
|
Civic center |
Mosquito abatement |
Street lighting |
|
Conservation |
Museum |
Surface water protection |
|
Drainage |
Park |
Tuberculosis districts |
|
Electrical & gas |
Port |
Transit |
|
Exposition |
Public building |
Water supply |
|
Fire protection |
Rescue squad |
Zoo |
|
Historical museum |
River conservancy |
|
|
Hospital |
Sanitary |
Number of Special Purpose units in Illinois: 3,204