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OctagonHouse-SparlandPhoto: The original uploader was ProfDEH at English Wikipedia. · Public domain
Town Hall · Sparland

Sparland spent less per resident in 2022 than 73% of similar cities

Sparland’s village government spent $128,000 on day-to-day services in the year to April 30, 2022, about $359 per resident. Water and other utilities ($133,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$128,000
year to April 30, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$359
In 2022: $359, less than 73% of 637 similar cities
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of FY2022, reported
Village staff, 2022
1
full-time · 7 part-time · March payroll $9,301
Typical tax bill
$1,205
1.44% of home value · IL 2.01%

What stands out about how Sparland is run

Read from the village’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $359 per resident, less than 73% of 637 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer51% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Midland Community Unit School District 7 with 6+ other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,205 a year: 1.44% of the home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois.
Compared with similar places

$359 per resident in 2022: less than 73% of them

Sparland’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($359 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $503, and the middle half spent $342–$713. Sparland spent less than 73% of them.

Middle half of the group, $342–$713Median $503Sparland

Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
637

Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Sparland itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $359 per resident a year, or $0.98 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: administration & buildings, at 76%.

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 39%From the state 36%Property taxes 11%From the federal government 8%Sales taxes 6%Other taxes & licenses <1%Interest, fines & other <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $10,000; interest on debt $3,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $274,000.
Over the years

No trend yet

Sparland reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,205 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.44% of the home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Illinois$5,298
Sparland$1,205
$1,205
typical bill a year
1.44%
effective rate
$83,600
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Sparland’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 Sparland’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Sparland →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Sparland

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Sparland’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Sparland yet.
Who works for Sparland

One full-time village employee for every 357 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (357).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings1 + 5 pt
Water & other utilities0 + 2 pt
1
full-time
7
part-time
$9,301
payroll for March 2022
$111,612
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$28,800
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Sparland had 2.8 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 472 of the 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 2.1: Sparland had more than 56% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Midland Community Unit School District 7

Sparland’s K–12 school district, shared with Hopewell, Lacon, Lacon Township, Varna, Steuben Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Sparland →
$12,797
per pupil · IL $21,567
675
students
$7.1 million
long-term debt

Of the $12,797 per pupil, $7,019 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.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 57%State 40%Federal 4%

Illinois districts overall: 52% local, 38% state, 10% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Sparland’s votes are counted by county

Illinois reports official results by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Sparland alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Marshall County’s results.

President · Marshall County’s results6,154 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican66.9%4,119 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat31.1%1,913 votes

Others: 2.0% (122 votes).

Most votes in Marshall County: Donald J Trump

Illinois: Harris 54.4%, Trump 43.5%

The county’s page

100% of Sparland lies in Marshall County. Every 2024 race in Marshall County is on the county’s page.

Marshall County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

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.

Who represents Sparland

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Sparland.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Illinois HouseState representatives
    Dennis Tipsword
  3. 3
    Illinois SenateState senator
    Chris Balkema
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    J. B. Pritzker
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Darin LaHood
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Illinois
    Richard J. DurbinTammy Duckworth

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Sparland’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Sparland’s government

How much does Sparland spend per resident?

About $359 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to April 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $359 was less than 73% of 637 Illinois cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Sparland?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,205 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.44% of the typical home’s value, vs 2.01% across Illinois. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the village’s assessor.

Who runs Sparland’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Sparland yet.

How did Sparland vote in 2024?

Illinois counts votes by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Sparland alone. Marshall County, where 100% of Sparland lies, voted Trump 66.9%, Harris 31.1% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Sparland?

1 full-time and 7 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $9,301 (about $111,612 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Sparland 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 Sparland’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

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 →