The largest township in Illinois and a 3-time "Township of the Year" award winner, recognized for our outstanding community programs, leadership, and service. Township government, established in Providence, Rhode Island in 1636, is the oldest existing unit of government on our continent today. Centuries ago, land was divided “like a checkerboard” into six-mile squares called townships of which today our nation holds 17,000. Illinois’ 1,434 townships continue to serve more than 8 million of the state’s residents. Thornton Township, the largest township in the State of Illinois, has approximately 185,000 residents. Thornton Township is made up of seventeen communities. The towns included in these boundaries fully are: Burnham, Calumet City, Dixmoor, Dolton, East Hazel Crest, Phoenix, South Holland, and Thornton. The towns that are partially located within the township boundaries are: Blue Island, Glenwood, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Lansing, Markham, Posen, and Riverdale.
