Crete Township will not subsidize unincorporated residents’ participation in Steger’s recreation programs, Steger Village President Lou Sherman said Monday.
Sherman said that Township Supervisor Mary Ann Gearhart said her government covers a large area, including south of the Village of Crete, which also has a Park District.
Ron Koelling, township assessor, said the Township has a rural Park District but said no tax is levied.
Steger and South Chicago Heights recently agreed that both municipalities will pay the same out-of-pocket fee to participate in Steger recreation programs. Steger continues to levy the additional $40 out-of-district charge, but bills the South Chicago Heights government. Both villages jointly operate a public library in Steger.
Sherman contacted Gearhart at the insistence of a resident of the Steger Estates subdivision in unincorporated Crete Township. The resident, at the Nov. 3 Village Board meeting, asked Sherman why Steger Estates children are charged an additional fee to participate in Steger’s recreation program. The resident noted his children attend school in Steger.