Sangamon Sun

State Rep. Mike Murphy (R-Springfield) took a stand against SB 826, which Republicans say is a partisan overreach to reshape efficient operations at Capital Township against the wishes of its residents.

Murphy threw questions at Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), the House sponsor of the bill.  

“As sponsor of this bill, I'm assuming you're familiar with the works of Capital Township in Sangamon County…you're familiar with the Sangamon County Citizen’s Efficiency Commission?" he asked.

Hoffman confirmed he’s familiar with Capital Township and has heard of the commission.

Murphy went on to describe his experience with the commission. “I've not only heard of it, but I served on it six years as vice-chair for four of those years and chairman for two of those years,” Murphy explained. “You know, one thing we never talked about was making Capital Township, taking it away from the county, you know why? Because it runs amazingly efficient. This citizens' efficiency commission was bipartisan. We had a former Sangamon County Democratic chairman on this commission. They were not in favor of what's trying to be done today. It never was. We had a referendum, 74% of it wanted to be rolled into the county. All of our considerations for consolidation never, never, talked about more government and this will have more government."

Murphy further argued that amending the township code would bring increased expenditures.

“Do you know what the cost is in Peoria for something very similar to this?” he asked. “It's much more, much more dramatically more than what we pay. Rep. (Tim) Butler (R-Springfield) talked about how much he pays. I recently moved, well not recently, coming up on 5 years from Divernon Township in Sangamon County. The cost there was dramatically more. I mean dramatically more like 8 to 10 times more. Sangamon County is one of the most efficiently run governments in the state of Illinois.”

Murphy urged members of the House to oppose SB 826, a bill sponsored it the Senate by state Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield).  

“Please, please, don't vote yes for this bill and destroy what's been going on successfully for a hundred years,” Murphy said. “I'm speaking that as one of the two members who know what we’re talking about because we live it every day, every day. One thing I'm consistent on in my two-plus years is that when it's a local issue, I followed the lead of the members of the House of Representatives on tiffs on port districts. I look up and see what the local people want and I deliver. Please help Rep. Butler and myself maintain good government in Capital Township, vote no.”

Murphy touted that there are no ethics problems with the administration of Capital Township and said that it “would be such a travesty and it would just destroy good government that we have in Sangamon County in Capital Township.”

Senate Bill 826 has been referred to the House Rules Committee.