Taken from the Township Officials of Illinois Laws & Duties HandbookÂ
"Township government is one of the oldest forms of government in the State of Illinois, originating when the first township laws were adopted in 1874. Often, members of the public do not understand the role of township government within a state scheme that includes various units of local government such as cities, villages, counties, park districts, and other
special districts. Despite the existence of these newer and expanding forms of local government, however, townships continue to provide valuable services and general assistance, road maintenance, and assessment.
In each township, the township board consists of the supervisor and four other members elected at large from the township. The town supervisor acts as chairman of the board, and the township clerk keeps the records of the board. Each person on the township board casts one vote. The clerk is not a voting board member, except in the case of a tie vote to
fill a vacancy in office. (60 ILCS 1/80-5)
The township supervisor is the chief executive officer of the township. (60 ILCS 1/70-15). The supervisor serves as supervisor of General Assistance and chairman of the township board. (60 ILCS 1/70-50). The supervisor is a voting member of the township board. The supervisor has numerous financial reporting responsibilities, is the treasurer of all township funds including cemetery funds and water system funds, and is the ex officio treasurer of the road and bridge funds. The supervisor receives and pays out all monies raised in the township for defraying township charges, except those raised for the support of highways and bridges and for township library purposes."