Bell Plain Township spent more per resident in 2022 than 94% of similar towns
Bell Plain Township’s town government spent $288,000 on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, about $811 per resident.
What stands out about how Bell Plain Township is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$811 per resident in 2022: more than 94% of them
Bell Plain Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($811 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 860 Illinois towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $264, and the middle half spent $165–$396. Bell Plain Township spent more than 94% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Illinois towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Bell Plain Township itself left out).
About $811 per resident a year, or $2.22 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 85%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Bell Plain Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,019 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.69% of the home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Bell Plain Township’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to Bell Plain Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Bell Plain Township →
Who’s in charge in Bell Plain Township
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Lowpoint-Washburn Community Unit School District 21
Bell Plain Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Washburn, Cazenovia Township, Richland Township, Linn Township, Partridge Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $16,438 per pupil, $9,192 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Illinois districts overall: 52% local, 38% state, 10% federal.
Fieldcrest Community Unit School District 6 · $19,474 per pupil
Midland Community Unit School District 7 · $12,797 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Bell Plain Township voted in 2024
Official results for Bell Plain Township’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican71.9%146 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat27.6%56 votesOthers: 0.5% (1 votes).
Most votes in Bell Plain Township: Donald J Trump
Marshall County: Trump 66.9%, Harris 31.1% · Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%
Most votes in the district: Darin Lahood
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Bell Plain Township, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Plain Township | 71.9% | 27.6% | 0.5% | 203 |
| Marshall County | 66.9% | 31.1% | 2.0% | 6,154 |
| Illinois | 43.5% | 54.4% | 2.2% | 5,633,310 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Bell Plain Township.
- 1Your townTown governmentLocal officials aren’t on record yet.
- 2Illinois HouseState representatives
- 3Illinois SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Illinois
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Bell Plain Township compares with the towns next door
Bell Plain Township spent $811 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $175 to $727. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Bennington Township | $175 | $2,712 |
| Roberts Township | $251 | $2,469 |
| Linn Township | $405 | $4,556 |
| Richland Township | $727 | $1,891 |
| Bell Plain Township | $811 | $2,019 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Bell Plain Township’s government
Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.
Questions about Bell Plain Township’s government
How much does Bell Plain Township spend per resident?
About $811 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to March 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $811 was more than 94% of 860 Illinois towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Bell Plain Township?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,019 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.69% of the typical home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.
Who runs Bell Plain Township’s government?
We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Bell Plain Township yet.
How did Bell Plain Township vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 71.9%, Kamala D Harris 27.6% (203 votes, official results). Marshall County: Trump 66.9%, Harris 31.1%. Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%.
How many people work for Bell Plain Township?
0 full-time and 10 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $6,763 (about $81,156 a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Bell Plain Township in the state legislature?
State Senate District 53 (Chris Balkema) and State House District 105 (Dennis Tipsword). The House district also covers 98 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Bell Plain Township’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →