Essential Support, Local Impact

Metropolitan Townships Serve the Most Vulnerable Residents in our Community

Townships in the metropolitan areas of Illinois provide needed programs and services to the most vulnerable members of our communities, particularly in the areas of food insecurity, mental health, and senior services. These programs comprise a significant part of the social safety net for urban and suburban residents across the region. In fact, in 2025, over 2.2 million residents were served by 41 Metropolitan Township Association Members across seven counties.

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Mental Health

Metropolitan townships offer essential mental health services that are both community-based and preventative. Many township governments operate mental health boards that allocate resources to counseling services, substance abuse programs, crisis intervention, and youth outreach initiatives. These services are often available at little to no cost, helping to close the gap in mental health care access—especially for uninsured or underinsured individuals. Because townships know their residents well, they can customize their mental health services to meet specific needs in a way that larger organizations cannot.

Food Pantries

Township-operated food pantries ensure that struggling families have regular access to nutritious food, offering a lifeline to thousands facing food insecurity. They often rely on strong networks of local volunteers and community partners to keep operations running smoothly and costs low. Many also offer client-choice models, where families can select the items they need most. With flexible hours, targeted outreach, and a deep understanding of their communities, township food pantries ensure that struggling families don’t have to go far—or wait long—to get the help they need.

Senior Services

Senior services are another impactful role of township government that fills a vital gap in public assistance. Townships provide senior transportation, wellness checks, social programming, benefits counseling, and help with tasks like Medicare or property tax relief applications. These services help older adults age in place safely and with dignity. Without township involvement, many seniors—particularly those on fixed incomes—would fall through the cracks, lacking the mobility or digital access needed to navigate more complex systems. In this way, township government remains a frontline provider of care and support.

Community Services

Townships deliver a broad range of community services that directly support residents' everyday needs. From property assessments and road maintenance to transportation, youth programs, parks, open space preservation, and cemetery maintenance, these services enhance quality of life across urban and suburban communities. Townships are uniquely positioned to respond quickly and effectively to local needs, offering a responsive and accessible form of government that remains connected to the people served.

For additional information or to contact Metropolitan Township Association, email info@metrotownships.org.