History - New Trier Township

Know Your Township Government
"Government is a human agency for the purpose of meeting the needs, encouraging the ideals and promoting the development of the people for whom it operates."

Walter F. Dodd
"Government in Illinois"

New Trier Township is two things. It is a particular tract of land in which dwell more than 56,000 persons; and it is an old, established unit of government with a continuing operating responsibility, which intimately affects the life, and welfare of every one of those people.

Historically this Township is an exceedingly interesting subject - a wilderness territory settled and developed by people with a passion for homes and "room to turn around." As a government unit, it originated as the settlers' agency for maintaining order and for dealing with law violators.

To be effective, government must change to meet new conditions - and the New Trier Township government has changed in its functions and its jurisdictions, as new conditions have come about.

Download a copy of our Township History. In its pages you can "get acquainted" with the Township, its vivid history, and how it operates to serve you and your neighbors.

Learn how the Township has served you in the past year in our Annual Report.