Clerk’s Office

The Office of the Township Clerk is designed to offer convenient and customer friendly service to all of our residents.  Among the services we offer are:

Senior Citizen RTA FREE Fare Permits

This permit allows senior citizens 65 and older to ride all RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) services free of charge.  These services include CTA buses and rapid transit, Pace buses, and Metra trains in the six-county region served by the RTA.

Senior citizen tourists or those who don’t live in the RTA coverage area—even though they may commute from Kenosha or Kankakee, for example—will not be eligible for the program.  The RTA coverage area includes McHenry, Lake, Kane, Cook, DuPage and Will Counties.

Senior citizens may apply at Palatine Township Center during regular business hours.  As proof of age, applicants must present the original of one of the following documents:  Driver’s license, State of Illinois Identification Card, U.S. Immigration Alien Registration Card, Medicare card (with one of the photo ID’s listed here), Passport (any country, photocopy of page(s) with photo and date of birth).   A 1-1/2” X 1-1/2” color photograph is also required.  Photos can be taken at the Township Center for a charge of $2.00.

Palatine Township does not currently serve as a registration center for RTA’s Fare Permit for the disabled.  If you are disabled, you may call the RTA Travel Information Center at (312) 836-7000 or (312) 836-4949 (TTY) to request that an application be sent to you by mail.  Alternatively, a list of the registration centers which process applications for the RTA Fare Permit for the disabled can be found at www.transitchicago.com.

The RTA has been processing the senior citizen applications within four to five weeks, due to increased volume following the change from a reduced fare to a free fare permit.   Your RTA Free Fare Card will be mailed directly to your home.  It is valid for four years from the date of issuance, and you will be notified by the RTA when it is time for you to renew it.

Voter Registration

Voter registration is available at the Township Center during regular business hours.  To register, you must show two forms of identification, one of which reflects your current address, be a citizen of the United States, and be 18 years of age or older by the next Election Day.  The deadline for registering to vote is approximately one month prior to each election.

Absentee Voting

Applications for absentee ballots are available approximately 40 days before each election through the Clerk’s Office.  Call or stop by the Clerk’s Office for additional information.

Temporary Disabled Parking Placards

The Township will issue temporary parking placards, which are good for a maximum of 90 days.  A State of Illinois form, which is available at the Clerk’s Office, must be completed and signed by your health care provider.  Give us a call for further information.

Notary Public Service

Notary public service is available free of charge to Palatine Township residents in the Clerk’s Office.

Cook County Vehicle Stickers

Cook County Vehicle Stickers for Unincorporated Residents only must be displayed on your automobile by July 1, and they are available at the Township Offices.

Ø      If you purchase your sticker after July 1, you will be charged a late penalty equal to the price of the sticker or $25, whichever is greater.  You may also be subject to additional penalties if your sticker is not displayed by July 1.

Ø      Individuals who have turned 65 by July 1 may purchase a $5.00 sticker which will remain effective for as long as he/she owns the car.  This discount is limited to 2 cars.  Senior truck, motorcycle, or trailer owners are required to pay full price for those stickers.

Ø      Newly-acquired vehicles:  For any new or used vehicle purchased or acquired after July 1, a valid Cook County Vehicle Sticker must be displayed within 30 days of the date of acquisition.  Proof of purchase required.

Ø      For vehicles purchased on or after December 1 of the application year, Vehicle Stickers may be purchased at half price (excluding seniors), when proof of purchase is provided.

Ø      New residents:  Within 60 days of taking up residence within the unincorporated area of Cook County, a current Cook County Vehicle Sticker must be displayed on the owner’s vehicle.  Proof of occupancy required.

General Information and Referrals

The Clerk’s Office maintains a wide range of informational pamphlets on numerous local programs and services.  Additionally, we would be happy to assist you with answers to your questions or referrals to other agencies if necessary.