Issuu

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, Chief Operating Officer

Adriana Ortiz, Client Services Director &

Summer Work Program Coordinator

Grace Gamboa, Client Services Coordinator

Amy Onan, Client Workforce Coordinator

Nayeli Cardenas, Administrative Assistant

Assessor's Team

Colette Davis, Township Assessor

Michelle Buttera, Deputy Assessor

LaVella Harris, Deputy Assessor

2024 SWP Mentors

Roderick Henry, Mentor

Shardaye Bone, Mentor

CHERI L. NEAL

ZION TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

Dear Zion Residents and Partners,

A look back at 2024....

As we close out 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together — and to thank you for being part of it. This past year was filled with so much progress through partnerships and people stepping up in big and small ways to support one another. Through strong collaborations, dedicated volunteers, and a hardworking team, Zion Township was able to meet immediate needs while continuing to invest in programs that will build long-term success.

Our annual Zinnia and Monarch Festival drew thousands of visitors, reminding us of the power of community, creativity, and connection. The Zion Quarterly — distributed to over 11,000 households — continues to serve as a reliable and cost-effective way to keep our residents informed and engaged.

The Elf Network brightened the holidays for 80 families and 316 individuals, thanks to the generosity of partners, donors, and volunteers. Events like the Zion-Benton Senior Resource Expo connected over 180 seniors with valuable services and local support, while our Summer Work Program gave 33 youth hands-on experience, mentoring, and recognition for their contributions.

Behind the scenes, we processed nearly $102,000 in direct assistance for residents — helping with everything from utility bills to housing to transportation. We supported seniors with over 1,000 birthday cards, 60 local taxi rides, and dozens of Benefit Access and RTA applications. Whether someone needed a passport, a notary, or help navigating a crisis, our team was there to walk alongside them — with professionalism and care.

I’m proud of what we’ve done, and even more proud of how we’ve done it: person by person, with dignity, focus, and a commitment to making Zion stronger.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. We’re honored to serve this community, and we look forward to building on this momentum in 2025.

The ZT Team helped to enhance the Zion community in other ways, by supporting the various projects in the community.

In continuing to making Zinnias the flower of Zion, the Zinnias for Zion Project was a huge success again this year, giving out 2000 packets of Zinnia seeds to residents, and other community members ordering 184 flats of Zinnias for planting, the two-day Zinnia and Monarch Festival and Bees Too! brought out families from many communities.

Your Zion leaders group worked with 21 students in the Promotions and Marketing class at Carthage College to create a rebranding strategy for the Zion community. The students were thorough and shared enlightening ideas of which the team took into consideration.

The Zion community welcomed America in Bloom who completed an evaluation to help our community flourish by becoming more welcoming and vibrant and adding a competitive advantage in attracting tourists and instilling pride in the community.

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.

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

Zinnia and Monarch Festival... & Bees Too!

On August 17-18, 2024 Zion celebrated its 4th year hosting Zinnias and Monarchs & Bees Too! with a festival, visited by literally thousands of attendees. Thanks to our sponsors, along with a long list of volunteers including the ZB Library team, the District 6 Art Division, Culver’s, Piggly Wiggly and CJ’s, ZBTHS, Dandelion Gallery for their fabulous performance art, the Zion Park District and many others who headed up the different committees and activities, contest participants, and educators. Thanks to everyone, our 2-day festival was a huge success!!! Mark your calendar for August 16-17, 2025, always the 3rd weekend in August!

Thank you to our sponsors

Monarch: City of Hope | The Re/Max Showcase Team | Dandelion Art G ds

Carlen Borland

Deanna Cruz

Aaron and Erika Denny

Beth Coleman

CheRae Chaney

Kerri Gilbert

Janet Eppers

Joe Lynch

Zion ESDA

Thank you to our volunteers

Cheryl Tanner

Chris Tollefsen-Smith

Doug LaBelle

Elena Lopez & Family

Erica Delgado

Heidi Pfeiffer

Jackelyn Orozco

Denise Casali

Brett Thompson

Jean Vines

Jeanne Engle

Jessica Clinton

Joe Knobbe

Juan Orozco

Kris Nichols

Alissa Webster

Terrence Crawford

Jamar Libasci

Linda Perreault

Mary Lou Hiltibran

Paula Reinier

Rebecca Bozarth

Rose Salata

Sara Torrez

Sarah Petersen

Giselle Alcocer

Julie Gracia

Sheryl Anderson

Elizabeth Gibbs Thompson

Davion Johnson

Tia Wilson

Our MVP’s for dedicating their summer to watering Zinnias around Zion goes to Mary Lou Hiltibran and Janet Eppers It truly takes a village to host a festival like this!

Wendy and Rumi Driver

Whitney and Franklin Henry

The Zion Pageant Assoc/

2024 Queens

Stericycle Employees

Zinnias for Zion had its 7th year, and as was shared earlier, over 2,000 packets of Zinnia seed packets were given out to the community via local government offices Additionally, 142 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.

The Zinnia and Monarch Festiv

o the Finish” 5k with 22 registered runners ter ts along with their f as a big hit with ZB

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

SUMMER WORK PROGRAM

The 2024 Summer Work Program concluded on July 26 with a celebrated cookout All youth received a certificate of completion from Zion Township and a special certificate from State Senator Mary Edly-Allen and State Representative Joyce Mason Youth also received a special gift from City of Hope celebrating their completion of the program.

Thirty of the thirty-three youth completed the program, and five of them were nominated as Employee of the Year. The 2024 Employee of the Year winners are David Lopez and Banneker Brown. Congratulations to both!

Special thanks to the Summer Work Program youth workers, mentors, and supervisors for their excellent performance this summer, as well as the parents for their support. Zion Township, the Job Center of Lake County, the Zion Park District and the community are lucky to have them. The Zion Township team appreciates all the hard work and dedication.

Employee of the Year

Mentor Shardaye Bone, Brandon Williams, Nerahia Ortiz, David Lopez, Elijah Goods, Amar Andrews,Kaldan Braden, Mentor Rod Henry

Mentor Rod Henry, Nerahia Ortiz, David Ortiz, Jennyhza Lopez, Mentor Shardaye Bone, Amar Andrews, Trinity Saucier, Claudia and Chris

Lake County Job Center - Claudia & Chris and Employeee of the year David Lopez

Excellent Attendance

Nominated Employees

Youth learning about Zion’s Butterfly garden

ZION QUARTERLY

The Zion Quarterly, an initiative started by your Zion Township Team, includes every taxing body in Zion. It is mailed four times a year with 12,200 printed and 11,135 distributed to households. It continues to be a cost-effective way to communicate with Zion residents.

ZB COALITION FOR HEALTH COMMUNITIES ZION-BENTON LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Although the adult portion of the Zion Benton Leadership Academy took a pause this year, Assessor Colette Davis was once again at the helm, with Chief Operating Officer Sandra Usher along with ZB Social Studies Teacher Chris Kubic continuing to show their dedication to building up the Leadership in our community via the ZB Junior Leadership Academy, empowering youth to become active and inspiring contributions in our community. The 2024 program had 7 Junior graduates.

2024 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

Along with Supervisor Cheri Neal and Client Services Director Adriana Ortiz visiting the Zion senior buildings, staff were able to assist in completing 247 LIHEAP applications, totaling over $39,406.00 for Jan - Jun to help pay utility bills this winter, providing regular office hours to assist residents each Monday from 9-11am.

BIRTHDAY CARDS

1083 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. These cards were designed by the ZT Team and are chock full of information. The seniors ❤ their cards!

TRANSPORTATION

We were able to assist 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 102 Benefit Access/RTA applications for seniors and those with disabilities, completed 173 passport applications, 84 notary request, and assisted residents with faxing at no charge.

ZB SENIOR RESOURCE EXPO

Coordinated by Chief Operating Officer Sandra Usher, the Zion-Benton Senior Resource Expo Expo was once again a huge success with the Zion Park District, Benton Township, and The Grove at the Lake cosponsoring. We distributed over 206 bags to seniors loaded with goodies and a guidebook with 55 vendors represented.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Elf Network

Thanks to the Elf Network and the Chief Elf Jeanine Richards, 80 Zion families - 316 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, with stuffed animals for every child donated by PetSmart.

Secretary of State Mobile Unit

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 receive their Real ID.

BUZ completed it’s third Mural, along with Umbrella Art - creating Zion’s Art Alley!

Over the summer, thanks to an incredible collaboration between:

Zion Township

BUZ - Building Up Zion

Its All Good Coffee House

ZB Alumni and reknown artist Tim Decker

The coordinated efforts of Katrina Wiltse and Zion District 6's Youth Leadership Team and parents and Chris Kubic and ZBTHS’s National Honor Society Teens

Rick Delisle who provided space for the group to work

Graphic Partners who designed and installed the sign

Donna Bybee who solicited donations and ALL the donors listed on the sign

Chris Tollefson-Smith, Sheryl Anderson and Linda Perreault who did all the planting

Whitney Henry who helped paint the tables and chairs

They say it takes a village to raise a child but this project proved it takes children to raise a village!

The

Zion

Love

Abiding Love Food Pantry: $2,000

The 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

COLETTE DAVIS ZION TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

Zion is growing by leaps and bounds! We are excited for all the New Construction throughout the Township. New homes and businesses are popping up which means new neighbors and places to eat, shop, or work. Inadditiontogrowthcomes changes. Withthecontinued increase in market values, I wanted to remind you of some information that may be helpfultoyou.

Property values remain pretty consistent. Meaning that the values consumers are paying for homes have increased over the years. We determine your value from the last three (3) years of those sales. This is a State requirement. It is my job to make sure your values are fair and equitable. The way our office can offer help is to ensure you have your exemptions applied to your profile, which is a form of tax relief for those who qualify. The exemption is subtracted from the assessed value before your bill is calculated. 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 all exemptionsthatyoucanapplyfor.

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

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 2024 BOARD MEETINGS

January 16, 2024

February 20, 2024

March 19, 2024

Annual Township Meeting: April 9, 2024

Township Budget Public Hearing: April 16, 2024

May 21, 2024

June 18, 2024

July 16, 2024

August 20, 2024

September 17, 2024

October 22, 2024

November 19, 2024

December 17, 2024

ZIONTOWNSHIPBOARD

TrusteeMikeMcDowell

TrusteeRichardFrierson