Township Government
Township government is the oldest form of government that continues to function today. Township government began in North America in 1636. Established as a purely democratic process, the people have a direct voice in local issues. Annual Town Meetings were where people from surrounding areas came together to discuss important issues and establish laws. Today, Illinois townships continue to hold Annual Town Meetings on the second Tuesday in April. The next one is Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
In Illinois, the township government began in 1849. The Illinois Constitution of 1848 allowed voters in each county to choose to establish township governments or a county commission form of government without township units. Today, 85 of the 102 counties in Illinois operate under the township form of government, and there are currently 1,433 townships in the state serving more than 8 million people.
Townships are individual geographic areas separate from cities and counties. For example, a large city may contain several townships, while one township may encompass several small towns. Township government operates at local levels and is designed to serve the community's basic needs. In many rural areas, townships are the only government unit available to provide social services and road maintenance.
Department Heads
Diane Hewitt,
Supervisor
The Township Supervisor serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Township. The Supervisor's duties and responsibilities include serving as Chairman of the Township Board of Trustees, Supervisor of the General Assistance program, oversight of the other social services offered, and Treasurer of all Town funds.
Ed Young,
Highway Commissioner
The Highway Commissioner oversees the maintenance of most of the public right-of-way (roads, parkways, culverts) in the unincorporated areas of Lisle Township. The Highway Commissioner submits a tax levy and budget for all operations of the Highway Commission, also referred to as the Road District.
John Trowbridge,
Assessor
The Township Assessor is required to uniformly assess properties at a median level of one third of market value. Equitable assessments ensure a fair distribution of the property tax burden. Local property taxes pay for such services as schools, villages, libraries, park districts, and fire protection districts.
Debbie Pawlowicz,
Clerk
The Township Clerk has custody of all records, books, and papers of the Township and shall duly file all certificates or oaths and other papers required by law to be filed in the clerk's office. The Clerk also takes and submits for approval the minutes of all Township Board Meetings, and is a tie-breaker vote if needed.
The Township Board
The Township Board is comprised of the Supervisor and four Trustees. The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving the budgets, tax levies, contracts, and policies of the Township. Additionally, the Trustees have the role of “Auditor” of all expenses. Every bill and expenditure is reviewed and approved by the Board. The Trustees have an obligation to reject for payment, any and all bills that are not legally incurred debts.
Trustee, Autumn Geist
Autumn is a mother of three adults, a business owner, and an active community volunteer and leader for over 20 years. She is the owner of The Collective, A Lifestyle Boutique and Makery, in downtown Lisle and currently leads the Downtown Lisle Retail & Business Association. She believes firmly in collaboration over competition and values serving her community and caring for people. Her email is trusteegeist@lisletownship.com.
Christy has been an involved community member living in Lisle for the past nineteen years. She has served on the Green Trails Improvement Committee for six years and was a trustee on the Lisle Village Board. Christy is a Spanish/Dual Language teacher in Downers Grove. She is passionate about helping others, providing equal educational opportunities, and assisting bilingually. Her email is Trusteemcgovern@lisletownship.com.
Trustee, Christy McGovern
Jean has been a Lisle Township resident since 1990 and currently lives in Naperville with her husband and two grown sons. She divides her free time as an elected Precinct Committeeperson as well as a volunteer at the Lisle Township food pantry garden, as part of a team who created a space to grow fresh produce that is donated to the food pantry. She is dedicated to serving her community. Her email is trusteepage@lisletownship.com.
Trustee, Jean Page
Barry has been a resident of Lisle Township since April 1997 and is an elected Precinct Committeeperson. For the past 20 years, Barry has been an active volunteer serving in leadership roles across a number of Naperville organizations. With a background in IT leadership and strategic consulting, Trustee Robinson will work to increase the effectiveness of the services that Lisle Township provides to its residents. His email is: trusteerobinson@lisletownship.com.
