Core Values:
WE LEAD WITH HEART
Humility: We are servants of the Zion community.
Encouragement & Education: We support our residents and equip them with knowledge.
Appreciation: We value partnerships that assist our residents.
Reverence: We respect each person's journey.
Tenacity: We don't give up on believing in the best.
Supervisor's Team
Cheri Neal, Township Supervisor
Sandra Usher, Business Manager
Adriana Ortiz, Client Services Director & Summer Work Program Coordinator
Grace Gamboa, Client Services Coordinator
Amy Onan, Client Workforce Coordinator
Nayeli Cardenas, Receptionist
2023 SWP Mentors
Roderick Henry, Mentor
Shardaye Bone, Mentor
Assessor's Team
Colette Davis, Township Assessor
Michelle Buttera, Deputy Assessor
Theresa Huber, Deputy Assessor
CHERI L. NEAL
ZION TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR
A look back at 2023....
It is crazy how fast time goes. Here at Zion Township, we do our best to keep up but, as so often in life, we feel like it is never quite enough. That is why I am grateful to pause as the year comes to a close and reflect back at all we WERE able to do to impact our community in a positive way.
In regards to programming, we accomplished a lot!
Our Senior Resource Day, in partnership with the Zion Park District, Benton Township and The Grove at the Lake had over 180 seniors and 53 vendors this year. Another huge success!
The Summer Work Program graduated 30 youth this year, thanks to the oversight of Adriana Ortiz and mentors Rod Henry and Shardaye Bone.
The Queen Bees of Zion Red Hat Society was revitalized. With the loss of Oachi Gallagher and the relocation of Noma Blanton, the group almost dismantled. But interest surged and the group now has 42 members! Women over the age of 50 who live/d or work/ed in the ZB Community are welcome to join!
We sponsored the Secretary of State Mobile Unit in partnership with the ZB Library again.
In partnership with Santa’s Helpers, Christ Community Church, ZB Kiwanis and others, the Elf Network blessed over 80 families this year for the Christmas Holiday.
Each year we send out a birthday card to Zion seniors over the age of 65, complete with a free custard from Culvers, donut from CJs, and a notepad from the ZB Library in a card that was designed by adults with disabilities at Aspire (formerly North Point Resources). With their move out of the community, which led us to redesign a new birthday card that we are really proud of, sharing ways to engage in the community to make the year brighter and little ways to make a big difference. A LOT packed into a little card!
ZION TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR
The ZT Team helped to enhance the Zion community in other ways, by supporting the recommissioning of Esther’s Well and the new mural on the Floors to You building in downtown.
Expanding the Zinnias for Zion Project was a huge focus this year, giving out 2000 packets of Zinnia seeds to residents, as a community ordering 134 flats of Zinnias for planting, the establishment of the two-day Zinnia and Monarch Festival thanks to so many, and being awarded a Proclamation by Senator Mary Edly-Allen.
Another really positive highlight is the development of a strong Leadership Team over the last few years in Zion with the Mayor, City Administrator, Police and Fire Chiefs, Dist 6 and Dist 126 Superintendents, our Assessor, and the Park District and Library Executive Directors as well as Supervisor Neal and Assessor Davis. This group is dedicated to working together to make Zion the best it can be. We hosted three community dialogues, are partnering with Carthage College to complete a rebranding assessment, thanks to the efforts of City Administrator David Knabel over the last ten years, we will be receiving an additional $244,000 a year. This will help substantially in keeping the Zion Township line for taxes low as well as provide funding to assist with implementing programming based on the results of the Zion Community Wellness Study that is wrapping up.
All this, while in the background we implemented a new time entry system, partnered with Carthage College to have an intern do an evaluation of our communication, trained the entire team as peer support specialists and took the sexual harassment training.
To top all that off, we completed another successful year publishing this Zion Quarterly, thanks to the efforts of every taxing body and Sandra Usher as the Editor.
And to top THAT off, our dynamic Client Services team made up of Nayeli Cardenas, Grace Gamboa, Amy Onan, Adriana Ortiz and myself were able help many residents in accessing resources to assist them in addressing their crisis. That information can be found on page 9.
One last thing that sets the stage for 2024: In 2023, all government agencies, except municipalities and counties, were challenged (mandated) to complete a comprehensive evaluation of services and determine ways to improve. The township board, along with residents Rose Salata and Laura Murrie, took this challenge seriously and the suggestion list was long for Zion Township. We are happy to report that of the list, the ZT Team has already accomplished nearly half of those items and will continue to make enhancements in 2024. The Decennial Report can be found on our website at ZionTownship.org.
We continue to take our responsibilities very seriously at Zion Township in serving our residents. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, comments or kudos!
All our best, Cheri and the ZT Team
COLORING ZION WITH ZINNIAS!
Zinnias for Zion had its 6th year, with over 2,000 packets of Zinnia seeds given out to the community via local government offices. Special thanks to donations made by Ball Horticultural Company, Applewood Seed Company and Joyful Butterfly. Additionally, 134 flats of Zinnia flowers were purchased by local businesses and households through Anton's Greenhouse. We are grateful for our Local Coloring Contest, sponsored by the Zion-Benton Public Library and Culver's of Zion, who presented the winners with certificates and prizes.
August 19-20th Zion celebrated Zinnias and Monarchs with a festival that was visited by over 1500 attendees. A special thank you goes out to Carlen Borland, Sarah Petersen along with a long list of volunteers including a team from the Illinois Dunesland Garden Club, the Zion Queens and pageant contestants, The ZB Library team, Culver’s, the Zion Park District and many others under the guidance of Zion Township’s Supervisor Cheri Neal and Business Manager Sandra Usher.
BEST ZINNIA YARD CONTEST WINNERS
The Best Zinnia Yard Contest Best of Show went to Balthazar and Lorenzo Aviles-Acosta, 1st Place - Ginny Adams, 2nd Place Wendy Driver and 3rd Place - Bruce Pracht. 1st Place in the local business category was the Hermon Park Center, 2nd Place was N&T’s Restaurant & 3rd Place went to Zion Culvers. Special thanks to Illinois Dunesland Garden Club for judging the contest!
THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS!
Monarch: Mt. Olivet Memorial Park
Chrysalis: City of Hope - North Shore Gas - PNC Bank - Grove at the LakeState Senator Mary Edly-Allen - Great Lake Credit Union - State Representative Joyce Mason
Caterpillar: Old National Bank - City of Zion - The Varsek Team - Barton Senior Residence
Egg: It’s All Good - Zion, John Steele - Re/Max Showcase, Randy Nebel - State Farm Insurance
Mike Best - Leech Bridges, Roger Whitmore’s Automotive Services, IUP General Feed Store
Thank you to our volunteer’s:
Carlen Borland
Jessica Ivanov
Sarah Petersen
Cheryl Tanner
Chris Tollefsen-Smith
Christine Wertman
Jeanne Engle
Elena Lopez
Gennythya Lopez
Ginny Adams
Heidi Pfeiffer
Jackie Kim
Janet Eppers
Doug LaBelle
Wendy Driver
Jessica Clinton
Joe Knobbe
Jean Vines
Michelle Pederson
Zion Queen Org.
Linda Perreault
Mary Lou Hiltibran
Brit Newman
Jack Littlefied
Natania Kim
Paula Reinier
Rebecca Bozarth
Rose Salta
Rosemary Kauth
Sam Gallagher
Amy Lindsay
Kris Nicols
Sara Torrez
Rachel Sandoval
Shanta Frierson
Sheryl Anderson
Tammy Boyd
Tia Wilson
O nnias around Zion goes to Mary Lou Hiltibran Janet Eppers and Joe Lynch!
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
SUMMER WORK PROGRAM
We were able to hire 30 - 14 & 15 year-old youth for this year's Summer Work Program. Lead mentor Roderick Henry was joined by Shardaye Bone as she stepped into her first year as mentor. The program kicked off with training day on June 20th which was held at New Tech High School. The day was packed with financial literacy from Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Nicasa Teen Court presenting and including youth in a mock trial, team building activities with ZB social studies teacher Chris Kubic, and other activities with their mentors. We had 6 youth nominated for employee of the year and the winners were Alex Rodriguez, Adriana Giles-Castenda, andMarshonMcEwen.
ZION QUARTERLY
TheZionQuarterly,aninitiativestartedbyyourZion TownshipTeam,includeseverytaxingbodyinZion.Itis mailedfourtimesayeartoover11,135households,with 12,200printedforadditionaldistribution.Itcontinuestobea cost-effectivewaytocommunicatewithZionresidents.
ZB COALITION FOR HEALTH COMMUNITIES ZION-BENTON LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Assessor Colette Davis at the helm, Supervisor Cheri Neal and Business Manager Sandra Usher along with ZB Social Studies
Teacher Chris Kubic continue to show their dedication to building up the Leadership in our community via the ZB Leadership Academy, empowering individuals to become active and inspiring contributions in our communities, 2023 program had 3 adult graduates and 11 Juniorgraduates.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
QUEEN BEES OF ZION RED HAT SOCIETY RELAUNCHES!
The Queen Bees are flying! With 42 members, many enjoyed several day trips this year, spreading joy wherever they went.
LIHEAP
Supervisor Cheri Neal and Client Services Director Adriana Ortiz visited the Zion senior buildings to assist in completing 60 LIHEAP applications, totaling over $16,850 to help pay utility bills this winter. The team went back to regular office hours to assist residents each Monday from 9-11am.
BIRTHDAY CARDS
1026 seniors age 65+ received a birthday card stuffed with cards for free custard from Culver’s, a donut from CJ’s, and a notepad from the ZB Library. North Point Resources created these cards for years, but with their departure from the community, a new partnership was launched with ZBTHS Transitions. The seniors ❤ their cards!
TRANSPORTATION
We were able to assisted 60 Zion seniors with Half-fare taxi tickets for in-town transportation. Cards are provided to all seniors over the age of 65 in need.
We also completed 177 Benefit Access/RTA applications for seniors and those with disabilities, completed 222 passport applications, 65 notary request, and assisted residents with faxing for no charge.
SENIOR RESOURCE DAY
Coordinated by Business Manager Sandra Usher, the Zion-Benton Senior Resource Day Expo was once again a huge success with co-sponsors: Zion Park District, Benton Township, and The Grove at the Lake. We were able to distributed over 180 bags to seniors loaded with goodies and a guidebook with 53 vendors represented.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Elf Network
Thanks to the Elf Network, 80 Zion families - 302 family members, were blessed this Christmas. This is a coordinated effort between the Zion Township, Christ Community Church and Santa's Volunteers, as well as ZB Kiwanis.
Secretary of State Mobile Unity
Zion Township partnered with the ZB Library to host another successful Secretary of State Mobile Unit visit that allowed 41 seniors and other residents to participate in the Rules of the Road course, and others to get their licenses and State IDs renewed. This year 27 residents were able to schedule for access to get their Real ID.
National Postal Worker Appreciation Day!
The Zion Township Team celebrated the Zion Postal Workers by providing them with Oliver’s Muffins, resource packets and copies of the book “The Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn, with a special appreciation video by Mark himself! The team also presented a special presentation making them aware of the services offered at Zion Township.
It has been a dream for many in our community to restore Esther’s Well as a place where people can come to pray, contemplate, and reflect on significant life issues. That dream took its first official step forward when a meeting was held on July 12, 2022, exactly 120 years from the date of its commission to put together a plan. That dream became a reality on July 12, 2023, the official ribbon cutting, restoring this historic landmark in Zion and raising over $50,000. Thanks to the Zion Park District, the site was then equipped with handicap accessibility so that ALL can enjoy this beautiful site
Esther’s Well
The ZT Team is proud of the work we completed and the incredible partnerships we have to best assist residents in their time of need. Here are some of the various resources we were able to assist Zion residents with in 2023:
Zion Township subsidizes a portion of other agency programs to ensure continued, accessible services to residents including:
Love INC: $1,000
Abiding Love Food Pantry: $2,000
North Point Church Food Pantry: $1,000
PADS Emergency Shelter Program: $1,500
Zion Park District Senior Luncheon: $3,000
Zion Park District Weekly Shopping Program: $3,000
Nicasa Substance Abuse Counseling Program: $3,000
In house, we were able to process a total of $98,672.82 in resources for Zion residents. Aside from connecting residents with assistance in their time of
we also counsel, guide and advocate on behalf of residents for a variety of issues, sometimes spending hours with each resident to best understand each situation and connecting them to the best resources available. Our team works hard to serve those in greatest need.
COLETTE DAVIS ZION TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR
We made it through the Quadrennial year! This means we revalued all parcels in the Township, which is a requirement per state statutes every four (4) years. We also validated uniformity for the neighborhoodsandalltheland.
With the increase in market values, I wanted to share some information that may be helpful to you. If you have a mortgage loan that has Mortgage Insurance (MI), you may have enough equity to haveitremoved. Thiscanreduceyourmortgagepayment.
If you have a Conventional loan and have owned your home 3-4 years or more, or if you have an FHA loan, check with your lender to verify your eligibility of this option. Please note that you may be required to pay for an appraisal. However, it will pay for itself in the long run. Also, considering that it is income tax season; if you find that you have a shortage on your escrow account, it is better to pay the shortageupfrontwithyourtaxrefund.
The county has a new system that helps us validate those who are eligible for Homestead Exemptions. To ensure we have the most current information, you may be asked to provide documented proof for all parties living in or listed on your property. Exemptions are a form of tax relief for those who qualify. Now is the time to make sure you have applied for or renewed your current exemptions. Visit our website at https://www.ziontownship.org/assessorresoures to complete your application or come in our office and we will be glad to help you. The website will have a detailed list of allexemptionsthatyoucanapplyfor.
Be on the lookout for the blue assessment notice that usually comes in the mail late summer. This willhave yourannual assessment amount listed along withall yourproperty information wehave inour system.
Pleasedon'thesitatetostopinorcallifwecanbeofanyassistance.
Colette Davis
ColetteDavisandyourAssessmentTeam
Zion Township Annual Projected Financial Report
Regular Town Board of Trustee meetings are held in the Zion City Hall Council Chambers, 2828 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL at 6:00 P.M. on the third Tuesday of each month.
SCHEDULE OF 2023 BOARD MEETINGS
January 17, 2023
February 21, 2023
March 21, 2023
Annual Township Meeting: April 11, 2023
Township Budget Public Hearing: April 18, 2023
May 16, 2023
June 20, 2023
July 18, 2023
August 15, 2023
September 19, 2023
October 17, 2023
November 21, 2023
December 19, 2023
ZIONTOWNSHIPBOARD
MAY2021-CURRENT
SupervisorCheriNeal
AssessorColetteDavis
ClerkSherylSpooner
TrusteeChristopherFischer
TrusteeJacquelineHolmes
TrusteeMikeMcDowell
TrusteeRichardFrierson