Berwyn Township was established by the Illinois Legislature in 1922, co-existing with the exact boundaries of the City of Berwyn. The Township is in charge of its residents' Human and Social Services, while the City of Berwyn is in charge of the Municipality, such as Police, Fire, and Public Works.
Under the leadership of John R. Cermak, Berwyn became the first Township in Illinois to build its own Health Center in 1939. Building construction was made possible by federal grants under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) for $50,000. The Township and Public Health District moved its headquarters from 3208 Oak Park Avenue to its new facility at 6600 W. 26th Street. The park next to the building was named Lesak Park in 1972.
The Township and the Berwyn Public Health District are separate and distinct governmental bodies with different governing boards. The Township is governed by the Board of Trustees (four elected officials) and chaired by the Township Supervisor. The governing body of the Health District includes the Township Supervisor, Clerk, and Assessor, who serve as President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Township Supervisor serves as Chairman of the Township Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Town Funds, and Ex-Officio President of the Berwyn Board of Health. A Supervisor’s duties are prescribed by the General Assembly of the State of Illinois to oversee the General Assistance program (link to General Assistance page under Berwyn Township tab) of the Township. (60 ILCS 1/Art. 70)
The elected City Clerk is the Township Clerk autonomously and serves on the Berwyn Board of Health. The Township Clerk is part of the Township Board of Trustees but not a voting member, except that in the case of a tie vote to fill a vacancy in a township office, the clerk is entitled to cast one vote.
A Clerk’s duties are indicated by the State of Illinois General Assembly to have custody of all records, books, and papers of the Township and responsible for filing all certificates, oaths, or documentation required by law. The Clerk is responsible for recording all decisions, by-laws, and rules & regulations made by the Board of Trustees at regular monthly board meetings, special meetings, and the Annual Township meeting. (60 ILCS 1/Art. 75)
Additionally, the Clerk serves as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer for Berwyn Township, Public Health District, and the Berwyn Township 708 Community Mental Health Board.
How to File a FIOA Record Request?
IN-PERSON or MAIL at City Hall:
City Clerk's Office
6700 W. 26th Street, 1st Floor
Berwyn, IL 60402
E-MAIL: City Clerk Margaret Paul (mpaul@ci.berwyn.il.us) and
Deputy Clerk Sandra Anderson (sanderson@ci.berwyn.il.us)
FAX: (708)788-2675
The Berwyn Township Assessor is the only elected governmental official who must pass approved courses of instruction before standing for election. By statute, the Township Assessor is the Deputy to the Cook County Assessor and is under direction from that office. However, since the Township Assessor does not assess, this office is in the unique position of being able to assist taxpayers with assessed value complaints along with other services, such as filing exemptions. (35 ILCS 200/Tit. 2)
Visit the Assessor’s office website for more information.
In each Township, the township board consist of the Supervisor and four other members elected at large from the Township under Section 50-5. The Trustees are the designated “town auditors” of Township Funds with the following responsibilities:
All meetings of the township board Public Meetings page are open to the public as provided in the Open Meetings Act.
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