News

When an individual is injured by a dangerous condition under township control or on township property, liability for injuries suffered by the individual might hinge on whether the township had notice of the dangerous condition. A plaintiff cannot recover under the Tort Immunity Act unless it is proven that the township had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has developed this guide for the convenience of road district highway commissioners and others who may be concerned with proper signage on highways under the jurisdiction of Illinois road districts.

The TOIRMA Board of Trustees declared a dividend during its February 2018 meeting. The dividend is being mailed today to each eligible member's TOIRMA Contact. This marks the 27th consecutive year that a dividend has been declared.

The increased number of cell phone towers, with related fiber optic cable, has generated questions and conflicts when telecommunication companies seek to use township road right-of-way for laying of fiber optic cable to service cell phone towers. Disputes may arise over the depth at which cable is buried; the location of connection boxes that may project above grade level, and the repair of excavated or bored road surfaces and roadside right of way.

According to the National Weather Service "Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. "

The TOIRMA Spring 2018 newsletter, TOIRMA News, is now available. Included in this edition is helpful information relating to: Safety Apparel with the Right-of-Way, Notice of Dangerous Condition, and much more...

The Technology Transfer (T2) Program is a nationwide effort financed jointly by the Federal Highway Administration and individual state departments of transportation. Its purpose is to transfer the latest state-of-the-art technology in the areas of roads and bridges by translating the technology into terms understood by local and state highway or transportation personnel.

Throughout the year, we receive some very good questions from our members. Please take a moment to read some of these "frequently asked questions and answers."

December 2017 is almost over! That's right, were are finishing the final month of the year, it's getting colder outside, and winter is definitely setting in. TOIRMA began the year with recently updated and newly created resources available to our members.

Public Act 100-554 requires that by January 15, 2018 all local governments, including townships, and road districts adopt an ordinance establishing a policy to prohibit sexual harassment. The Township Officials of Illinois (TOI) has prepared a model ordinance and policy that is available at: www.toi.org. TOI recommends that a separate policy be adopted individually by the Township, Road District and Assessor.

Winter is just around the corner, and with it, snow and the need to plow the streets. While you may be new to plowing or have years of experience, here are some reminders to help keep you, your employees, and the public safe.

The TOIRMA Winter 2017 newsletter, TOIRMA News, is now available. Included in this edition is helpful information for Township Officials relating to Risk Management.

Perhaps the harshest conditions you and your equipment will face occur in the winter months. Prepare yourself and your equipment now. TOIRMA has two checklists available designed to use in anticipation of the cold months ahead.

As we move into the holiday season (fall and winter), please keep in-mind TOIRMA's Risk Reminders emphasizing workplace safety. TOIRMA began offering our one-page Risk Reminders in October of last year. These easy-to-read documents are wonderful tools available to TOIRMA Members.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019 Local Rail / Highway Grade Crossing Safety Program (Section 130 Funds). Applicants are requested to submit their application electronically. Information on the submittal process is provided with the form instructions.

RISK REMINDER The chain saw is one of the most efficient and productive portable power tools used in the industry. It can also be one of the most dangerous. If you learn to operate it properly, and maintain the saw in good working condition, you can avoid injury as well as being productive.

Mowing is a major activity for highway maintenance organizations from spring through fall. Highway mowing is important to motorist safety, as mowing prevents tall grass and weeds from obscuring the visibility of motorists. There are several key areas highway agencies should focus their training on to ensure their workers are safe in mowing.

As a part of our Loss Control efforts, TOIRMA offers Risk Reminders to our members. These single-page Reminders are designed to address safety in the workplace with an easy-to-read concise format. Please share the Risk Reminders with other elected officials and your staff. Posting them on your bulletin board is also helpful.

Throughout the year, we receive some very good questions from our members. Please take a moment to read some of these "frequently asked questions and answers."

The TOIRMA Fall 2017 newsletter, TOIRMA News, is now available. Included in this edition is helpful information for Township Officials relating to Risk Management.

TOIRMA continues to work with Townships and Multi-Township Assessment Districts by providing coverages for assessors that contract their services to other Townships and MTADs – as long as all entities involved are members of TOIRMA and there is a written contract or agreement

Throughout the year, we receive some very good questions from our members. Please take a moment to read some of these "frequently asked questions and answers."

For motorists, signs are a great tool for helping them drive safely. For the township, they are often a nuisance and major expense.

It should come as no surprise that the correct placement of traffic control signs on road district roads helps ensure traffic safety by providing for orderly and predictable movement of traffic. When considering the installation of traffic control devices and signs, it is critical that traffic conditions and other technical considerations be evaluated/studied first. This evaluation/report should be conducted by a qualified engineer.

The TOIRMA Summer 2017 newsletter, TOIRMA News, is now available. Included in this edition is helpful information relating to: TOIRMA Adds Cyber Liability, Workers' Compensation, Personally Identifiable Information, TOIRMA Risk Reminders, Rod Beck In Memoriam, TOIRMA Calendar, What is TOIRMA?, Human Resources Help Line, and TOIRMA Contacts.

TOIRMA is pleased to announce the addition of Cyber Liability Coverage for its members. TOIRMA's new coverage is designed to better protect townships from losses and exposures not otherwise covered.

When spring arrives, it's time to prepare for the severe weather that comes with it. Tornadoes, thunderstorms and windstorms can dame or destroy weather that comes within minutes. This is a great time to review your Township's severe weather safety procedures.

Spring weather in Illinois is just unpredictable, but being prepared is something we can all do for ourselves and our community. The National Weather Service (NWS) has some excellent resources available for local governments to use to educate the public on the dangers of materials to public service announcement in the form of audio and video clips.

A key part of transitioning into office is not only preparing to work with other elected officials, but making important staffing decisions for your township and road district. These choices will help set the tone for the next four years. TOIRMA has just the tool to assist with staffing decisions—the Human Resources Help Line.

Whether you are retiring or remaining as a township official, TOIRMA needs your help in making the transition a smooth one. One of the items we would like to focus on is the supervisor’s bond.

TOIRMA has announced its upcoming schedule of Loss Control Meetings. Our planning agenda will cover TOIRMA coverages, loss control, claims, and safety training.

The TOIRMA Spring 2017 newsletter, TOIRMA News, is now available. Included in this edition is helpful information relating to: Rights and Duties of Telecommunications Companies, TOIRMA Risk Reminders.

According to the National Weather Service "Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water."

A federal judge recently granted an emergency preliminary injunction filed by the State of Nevada, twenty other states, and several businesses, blocking the new Fair Labor Standards Act Overtime Final Rule from taking effect. The Rule was scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2016 and increased the current annual salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 in order to be exempt from overtime.

The TOIRMA Winter 2016 newsletter, TOIRMA News, is now available. Included in this edition is helpful information relating to: 24-Hour Claim Reporting Hotline, TOIRMA Risk Reminders.

TOIRMA members can now report claims 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with our new Claims Reporting Hotline

In an ongoing effort in keeping our members informed, and providing users with a fresh updated tool, TOIRMA is pleased to announce the launch of our new website.

TOIRMA has launched a new safety program designed to promote a safer work environment for township officials and employees. This interactive program is educational, entertaining, and will change the way highway department personnel approach their next work task.

Will you be starting an addition or remodeling project on your township building this summer? If so, did you call TOIRMA to report your project? Maybe you put up a new building; did you call TOIRMA? If not, please call or e-mail your changes to Debbie Prentice...

Effective June 1, 2016 TOIRMA is increasing the Premises Medical limit from $5,000 per person to $10,000 per person at no additional charge. Under the General Liability coverages, TOIRMA will pay medical expenses for bodily injury caused by an accident on premises that the member owns or rents.

The summer 2016 TOIRMA newsletter, TOIRMA News, is now available. Included in this edition is helpful information relating to: Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards, Workers' Compensation Claim Types, Summer Reminders.

The TOIRMA Board of Trustees has voted to issue a dividend to all eligible members of the TOIRMA Program. This is the 25th consecutive year a dividend has been issued by the Board of Trustees. TOIRMA Members participating in the Program for the previous five consecutive years are eligible to receive a dividend...