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Township electors ask town board to consider an ad hoc senior services committee; levy discussion tabled
Summary
Peoria township electors voted to ask the township board to consider forming a six-month ad hoc Senior Services Committee to study senior-service needs and funding; electors also voted to table consideration of a senior-services tax levy until the committee reports.
Peoria township electors on May 12 voted to request that the township board consider creating an ad hoc Senior Services Committee to study the use of township and other funds to provide services for older adults.
Spokesperson Peggy Hawkins presented petition materials and handouts outlining gaps in local assisted-living capacity, the high monthly cost of residential long-term care she cited ($5,000–$10,000), and the need for a short, evidence-driven study and roadmap. Hawkins said petitioners submitted 85 community letters and argued a committee should focus on a limited timeframe—"hopefully a six-month surgical strike"—to identify funding and program options.
Elector discussion included comments from Jim Renan, a local nonprofit executive, who summarized research showing local human-service organizations receive an estimated 59% of funding from public sources and an average community return on investment of approximately $1.72 per dollar invested. Emma Bailey, a board member of Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging, described program growth and community benefits from congregate meals, activities and social supports.
Peggy Hawkins moved to request the township board consider forming the ad hoc committee; Emma Bailey seconded. Of the 40 electors present, 35 voted in favor and the motion passed. The request will be placed before the town board for consideration at a future joint city council/town board meeting.
On the question of funding, item five on the agenda asked whether electors should ask the board to consider a senior-services tax levy under 60 ILCS 135/55. Hawkins and several speakers said the levy discussion was premature and urged that the ad hoc committee first analyze existing federal, state and private funding, the service gap, and alternatives. An elector moved to table the levy until the committee reports; the voice vote to table carried.
Next steps: The town board—not the electors at this meeting—would be the body to create any committee or pursue a levy. Electors instructed the clerk to forward the request to the town board for consideration; the levy question was deferred pending the ad hoc committee’s findings.
