HISTORY OF MORAINE TOWNSHIP

Moraine Township, originally named Deerfield Township, was established in 1850, shortly after the Illinois Constitution gave citizens the opportunity to adopt township government. In 1889, it was split into East and West Deerfield Townships; eventually, “East” was dropped from our section, and in 1998, to eliminate confusion and reference our topography, the name was changed to Moraine Township.

The first Deerfield Township meeting was held April 2, 1850. Officers elected included a Supervisor, Town Clerk, Assessor, Collector, Overseer of the Poor, three Highway Commissioners, two Justices of the Peace and two Constables. Minutes of that meeting also show that the Highway Commissioners established five districts within the township and later appointed five Overseers of Highways. Those first minutes illustrate a need to establish many rules of local governance, including the need to lay out and build roads.

In order to finance township projects, such as roadbuilding, education, burying the dead and providing for the needy, property assessment systems were implemented. Over time, municipalities assumed many of the duties originally tasked to townships. Duties remaining today in Moraine Township include Supervisor’s, Assessor’s and the Clerk’s respective functions in resident services, property appraisal and voting.

State law mandates townships provide a safety net for residents (general assistance) and operation of abandoned cemeteries.