Green Garden Township Sets $1,000 Monthly Cap for General Assistance Program

Green Garden Township Meeting | November 10, 2025

Article Summary:
Green Garden Township Supervisor Dean Christofilos has formally established a monetary limit of up to $1,000 per month for any eligible resident seeking aid through the township’s General Assistance program. The state-mandated program provides support for basic needs to destitute residents.

General Assistance Key Points:

• Monthly Limit: The maximum assistance for an eligible resident is capped at $1,000 per month.

• Program Purpose: General Assistance is a state-mandated program for townships to aid destitute residents with basic maintenance needs like shelter, food, and utilities.

• Supervisor’s Authority: The township supervisor has the sole authority under Illinois law to administer the program, determine eligibility, and set payment limits.

The Green Garden Township Board on Monday, November 10, 2025, was officially notified that a monetary limit has been set for its General Assistance program. Township Supervisor Dean Christofilos announced he is setting the cap at a maximum of $1,000 per month for any single eligible resident.

General Assistance is mandated by Illinois statute, requiring townships to levy taxes to provide support for “destitute township residents.” Christofilos explained that the supervisor has the sole authority to administer the program, determine who is eligible based on a detailed application, and decide the level of assistance.

“I would like to set the limit of general assistance up to $1,000 per month for an eligible resident of our township who’s destitute, has no money, maybe they lost a job,” Christofilos said. He clarified that receiving the maximum amount is not guaranteed for an applicant.

The program is designed to help with basic maintenance needs, which according to state guidelines can include shelter, utilities, food, clothing, and other personal essentials. Christofilos stated that to his knowledge, the township had not previously administered general assistance or had a formal limit in place.