Jackson Township Board Approves Assessor’s Budget, Advances Electrical Pole Negotiations

Jackson Township Board Meeting | February 11, 2026

Article Summary: The Jackson Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Assessor’s budget and reviewed ongoing easement negotiations involving ComEd and local property owners regarding the relocation of a crucial utility pole.

Capital Plan and Budget Key Points:

• Trustees voted 3-0 to approve the Assessor’s Budget for the upcoming term.

• Township Attorney John Gallo is negotiating a final selling price with John Romo Sr. and Jr. to move an electrical pole onto their property.

• Gallo was also required to reach out to utility company ComEd to secure a necessary easement for the project.

• Assessor LeGrett reported heavy development activity in the Cedar Creek area.

The Jackson Township Board of Trustees on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, unanimously approved the annual Assessor’s budget and discussed the complex, ongoing negotiations required to relocate a utility pole that is currently halting a township property plan.

The board convened at 6:30 p.m., moving quickly through the agenda. With Trustee Coley O’Connell absent, all measures during the meeting were passed via 3-0 roll call votes by Trustees Jake Fanning, Norm Fanning, and Michele Hallihan.

A primary action item was the formal adoption of the Assessor’s Budget. Trustee Jake Fanning motioned to approve the budget, which was seconded by Trustee Hallihan and passed unanimously. During her accompanying departmental report, Assessor LeGrett noted that her office remains highly active, specifically pointing out that she is currently “busy in Cedar Creek” due to “lots of houses going up” in the subdivision.

Following the budget approval, the board shifted focus to the township’s Capital Plan, specifically the ongoing efforts to compensate local property owner John Romo for moving an electrical pole onto his land.

During the board’s prior meeting in January, it was established that relocating the utility pole to Romo’s property is essential for the township’s own property development plans to move forward. At that time, trustees indicated a willingness to financially compensate Romo, expressing that no matter what the township does with its property, the pole must be moved for the site to be considered “viable.”

During the February 11 meeting, Township Attorney John Gallo provided an update on the progress of those discussions. Gallo informed the board that he has been in direct conversations with both John Romo Sr. and John Romo Jr. According to the meeting minutes, the parties have been “back and forth on selling price.”

Furthermore, the legal logistics of the relocation have expanded. Gallo reported that he had to reach out directly to ComEd regarding the necessary easement required to execute the pole transfer. No formal vote on the compensation amount or the easement agreement was taken during the February session, as negotiations remain ongoing.

Meeting Briefs:

Brief Title: Free Children’s Art Class Approved at Township Hall
During the Town Report, Supervisor Matt Robbins informed the board that a local resident requested the use of the Jackson Township Hall to offer a free art class for children ages two and older. Because the resident is offering the class to the community completely free of charge, Robbins noted that the township will not charge her a rental fee for the use of the space.

Brief Title: Road Department Receives New Truck
The Jackson Township road fleet has officially been upgraded. According to the Road Report presented to the board, the highly anticipated new township truck has been delivered. To make way for the new equipment, the township’s old truck was successfully traded in. Additionally, under monthly expenditures, the board approved the Road and Bridge Bills via a 3-0 roll call vote following a motion by Trustee Jake Fanning and a second by Trustee Hallihan.

Brief Title: Township Building Maintenance and Updates
Supervisor Matt Robbins updated the board on recent facility safety checks and administrative resources. Robbins reported that the local Fire Department recently came through the township building for an inspection, told him what needed to be fixed, and that “he fixed them.” Additionally, Robbins announced that the new 2026 township duty and law books are now available, and he will be procuring a copy for every board member.

Brief Title: Community Events and Food Pantry Updates
The board reviewed several upcoming community outreach dates. Supervisor Robbins announced that the township’s Senior Luncheon is scheduled for April 30. Furthermore, as a reminder to the community, Township Officials of Illinois (TOI) is currently offering scholarships for graduating high school seniors. Regarding the Elwood Food Pantry, organizer Brandon Doden was not present at the meeting, but the board noted that the pantry will be handing out its next round of food baskets on March 28.

Brief Title: Routine Financial and Administrative Approvals
The board handled its standard monthly administrative duties with unanimous 3-0 votes. Trustee Norm Fanning motioned to approve the Town Fund Bills, which was seconded by Trustee Jake Fanning. The board also approved the January 2026 meeting minutes following a motion by Trustee Jake Fanning and a second by Trustee Hallihan. Finally, the monthly Financial Statement was approved after a motion by Trustee Hallihan and a second by Trustee Jake Fanning.