Supervisor's Office
Batavia Township is a medium sized township with a
population of about 30,000. We have about 13,000 parcels with an
assessed valuation of $1,131,181,485. It is not completely clear
what the actual date that the township was established but it was
probably around 1850. It was in 1848 that the state constitution
was passed allowing for township governments.
Townships are charged with 3 major duties by State Statute,
- Assessment of real property,
- Assistance to the indigent, and
- Maintenance of bridges and roads within the township not served
by other agencies.
Townships are involved in many other activities such as youth
programs and senior services. They serve an important role in
referrals to other agencies for services not provided by the
individual township.
Batavia Township started a Dial-a-ride program in 1970 with
Federal Revenue Sharing Funds and eventually partnered with the
City of Batavia. In 2007, the Ride-in Kane program was initiated as
a 24/7 transportation program for seniors, disabled, and others.
This program uses a Federal Grant and involves matching funds from
the units of government involved. The rides can be on a
subscription basis for work or dialysis, etc, or can be individual
for doctor, shopping or other. The vehicles used are under contract
and are dispatched from a center. These may be taxis, vans, or
vehicles with lifts for handicapped individuals. After working out
some bugs with the dispatch center, the program has been a success.
There are currently 25 - 30 towns, townships, shelters and other
social service agencies in the program in Kane County. The program
was modeled after Ride Dupage.
The Batavia Township Highway Dept, in addition to road
maintenance, construction of roads, and snow removal, also is
involved with other programs. A brush pick-up program operates
mainly on Mondays from April 15 to October 15. There is also a leaf
pick-up program in the fall. The department will also deliver mulch
when available and time allows. The department is involved with
intergovernmental cooperation with other townships, the City of
Batavia, and Kane County.
The General Assistance program is a State mandated program
geared to provide assistance to individuals from 18 - 65 who do not
qualify for other assistance programs. For those qualified, a
monthly grant is provided to assist with food, shelter, utilities,
etc. The program does not assist those with minor children as they
are qualified for assistance under another State program.
Batavia Township is progressive, yet fiscally conservative. To
find out more about township government, go to The Township
Officials of Illinois website; www.toi.org.
Jim Anderson, Supervisor