Milton Township, Illinois — Questions have arisen regarding the relationship between Milton Township and a nonprofit food pantry that was established with township resources. According to records, the nonprofit operates using public funds, vehicles, board members, internet services, phones, and office space provided by the township.
Concerns were first raised following Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made in August 2025. The status of these requests is currently pending review by the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor.
During its October 2025 meeting, the Milton Township Board approved two items related to the food pantry. Despite claims that the pantry functions as a separate nonprofit entity not subject to FOIA requirements, documents show a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists between the township and the pantry.
According to this MOU, township employees are being compensated by taxpayers for work performed on behalf of the private corporation operating the food pantry. Additionally, township staff are tasked with providing financial accounting services for this private entity and overseeing contracted audits of its financial records. “It is now in writing and approved by the township board that township taxpayers are paying for township employees to work for a private corporation and are paying for township employees/officers to provide all the financial accounting for a private corporation and paying for a contracted audit of the private corporation’s financial records. We have yet to find any such authority in our laws for them to do that,” stated representatives from Edgar County Watch Dogs.
Further requests for public records relating to these matters have been submitted, with updates expected upon receipt of additional information.
