2026 Referendum FAQs

On May 12, 2026, the Northfield Township Board of Trustees passed three (3) resolutions authorizing three (3) referenda to be submitted to voters at the next election on November 3, 2026. The decision to approve or reject any referendum is solely determined by the voters of Northfield Township.

Illinois law distinguishes between binding and non-binding referenda. Binding referenda require governmental action if approved by voters, while non-binding referenda are advisory only and are used to measure public opinion. 

Northfield Township Food Pantry Pre-Packaged Meals Referendum

Referendum Question

“Should Northfield Township, Cook County, Illinois, explore the possibility of enabling the Northfield Township Food Pantry to offer pre-packaged meals to residents of Northfield Township who are in need?”

☐ YES   ☐ NO

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Northfield Township, as a governmental body spending taxpayer funds, cannot take a position on the outcome of any referendum questions but may provide factual, educational materials to its residents. The information contained herein is provided as factual, educational materials only.

FAQs:

FACT 1:

Currently, the Northfield Township Food Pantry operates as a “client-choice” pantry, where clients select food items based on household size and available inventory.

FACT 2:

This advisory referendum asks whether the Township should explore the possibility of enabling the Northfield Township Food Pantry to offer pre-packaged meals to its food distribution programs.

FACT 3:

This referendum is non-binding, meaning the results would provide community feedback but would not by themselves establish a pre-packaged meal program.

FACT 4:

The Northfield Township Food Pantry currently serves approximately 1,050 households, and approximately 38% of those households include at least one senior citizen.

Garbage, Refuse, and Recycling for Unincorporated Northfield Township Referendum

Referendum Question

“Shall Northfield Township, Cook County, Illinois, begin assessing efficiencies, potential cost savings, and processes for possibly providing an option for collection, disposal, composting, and recycling of garbage and refuse services for residents of the unincorporated areas of Northfield Township?”

☐ YES   ☐ NO

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Northfield Township, as a governmental body spending taxpayer funds, cannot take a position on the outcome of any referendum questions but may provide factual, educational materials to its residents. The information contained herein is provided as factual, educational materials only.”> 

FAQs:

FACT 1:

Currently unincorporated households negotiate and contract directly with a company or vendor to provide waste, refuse and recycling services. 

FACT 2:

Households located in incorporated communities use waste, refuse, and recycling services negotiated by their municipalities.

FACT 3:

This advisory referendum asks whether the Township should begin assessing the feasibility, costs, and processes involved in potentially offering waste, refuse and recycling services in unincorporated areas. 

FACT 4:

Any future proposal related to garbage or recycling services would require additional review and potential action by the Township Board. 

Northfield Township Road District Referendum

Referendum Question

“Shall the Road District of the Township of Northfield be abolished with all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities being assumed by the Township of Northfield?”

☐ YES   ☐ NO

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Northfield Township, as a governmental body spending taxpayer funds, cannot take a position on the outcome of any referendum questions but may provide factual, educational materials to its residents. The information contained herein is provided as factual, educational materials only.

FAQs

FACT 1:

The Northfield Township Road District is a separate unit of government with its own tax levy, budget, and elected Highway Commissioner. 

FACT 2:

The Road District works on approximately 23 miles of road in the unincorporated parts of the Township. 

FACT 3:

Northfield Township is made up of 8 municipalities and stretches over 34 miles. 

FACT 4:

The municipalities, Cook County, or the State of Illinois take care of the roads within their jurisdictions. 

FACT 5:

Other large and small Townships within Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties have voted to abolish the Road District and incorporate the responsibilities under a Road Department within township government (including Naperville Township, Bloomingdale Township, Ela Township, Vernon Township, Hanover Township, Wheeling Township, and Worth Township).>

FACT 6:

If the Northfield Township Road District is abolished, the Township itself would create a Township Road Department and provide these services under centralized and transparent management.

FACT 7:

The voters of Northfield Township (not politicians) will decide to abolish the Road District and incorporate its functions into the Township, or to stay as a separate unit of government and taxing authority.

FACT 8:

The upcoming November election gives voters the opportunity to express themselves to the Supervisor and Board of Trustees to keep the Township Road District or merge it with the Township.

What Stays the Same

All current services for residents, whether they live in incorporated or unincorporated areas, would continue without any change.

The referendum only concerns the governance of Road District— not whether Road District services continue. There will be no interruption or reduction in the level of service provided to residents because of changes in the governance structure.

Roads within the Township Road District jurisdiction would continue to be maintained by Township Road Department staff.

Snow plowing, salting, roadway maintenance, drainage work, and other existing roadway services would be provided by Township Road Department staff. Residents would continue to receive the same roadway and maintenance services that they do today.

Municipalities, Cook County, and the State of Illinois would continue maintaining the roads under their jurisdiction.

What Changes If the Referendum Passes

If approved, abolishing the Road District would place road-related budgeting and financial oversight under the Township Supervisor and Board of Trustees, which may result in a more centralized and transparent governance structure.

The Northfield Township Road District would no longer operate as a separate unit of government.

Residents would contact Northfield Township’s Road Department for roadway concerns and services in unincorporated areas.

Under the new structure, the Road District would become the Road Department, and the Township Board would provide direct oversight of road operations, whereas currently, such oversight is limited.

The elected Highway Commissioner position would eventually be eliminated if the referendum is approved, consistent with the Illinois Highway Code regarding abolished road districts.

In May 2029, the Northfield Township Road District would become the Northfield Township Road Department.

If the Referendum Fails

The Road District will continue to function as a separate unit of government with its own Highway Commissioner. Everything would “stay the same” as described above.

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