Thornton Township Supervisor Napoleon Harris said Tuesday the board would only raise property taxes 2% in the coming year, a smaller increase than in the previous year.
The board also approved three advisory questions to appear on the ballot for the 2026 primary election on March 17, 2026 that include a request for property tax relief.
Harris said the 2% tax increase will apply to the general fund and general assistance fund, while taxes going toward the road and bridge fund will increase 3%. Harris said the township under former Supervisor Tiffany Henyard raised all taxes 4% last year.
He also said the township administration, sworn in in May, has shown “commitment to being responsible financial stewards” as they brought forward savings that include a recently renegotiated contract. The board approved its first budget, for 2025-26, over the summer.
Over the past seven months, Harris touted savings of $674,000 via the township’s general fund and $150,000 via the general assistance fund.
“I want to thank this board for their indulgence and working with us collaboratively to make sure that the residents of Thornton Township’s services are not going to decrease. They’re going to increase, and we’re going to make sure that we do the best possible things we can to make sure that we’re spending the money in the proper way,” Harris said.
But several meeting attendees complained that Harris’ administration lacks transparency surrounding spending much like former Supervisor Henyard, who remains under federal investigation.
Harris, who is also a state senator, recently supported a bill in the General Assembly that allowed him to continue receiving Henyard’s $202,000 salary. He also earns a more than $103,000 in salary as senator, according to the state.
Lansing resident Paul Robertz complained the township fails to provide total dollar amounts of expenses approved during meetings, while Ryan Sinwelski, of Harvey, said residents were not provided details about the tax levy before the board voted.
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“This severely limits the public’s ability to respond to the idea of increasing our taxes, and I’m concerned that proceeding with the vote tonight undermines transparency,” Sinwelski said.
Township Highway Commissioner Antwon Russell said the board is “recovering from a toxic political climate” where some residents “think all change is bad change.” But he said voices of dissent are helpful in encouraging Harris’ administration to perform better.
“It’s like when you walk into a toxic environment and you’re trying to one, change the perception and the image first,” Russell said. “We’re trying to stabilize and move in a sustainable way that is not just for today, but the future. I think the supervisor is capturing that.”
The board ultimately voted 5-0 in favor of the tax levy increase.
Ballot questions the board approved include a request for property tax relief drafted by officials from Thornton Township, Rich Township and Riverside Township, according to Clerk Casey Nesbit. The language asks whether the state should take legislative action provide rebates to more than 3 million residents across Illinois.
Other advisory questions will ask if the township should provide more services, including snow removal for seniors, and whether it should create a public medical health district to support public health and medical services for residents.
The questions are not binding and intend to gauge public support for the measures, Russell said.