LaSalle County public meetings in 2021
19 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Health Department Board
The LaSalle County Board of Health held six meetings from January to June 2021, approving routine bills and taking several COVID-related actions. They extended contact tracer employment to December 31, 2021, allowed temporary employees to enroll in IMRF if working over 1,000 hours, approved payment for staff working after hours due to COVID, and created a compensation committee. They also approved a VISA credit card for department expenses and revised the salary schedule to include Division Coordinator positions.
- Approved payment of COVID hours for regular staff (March 25, 2021)
- Extended contact tracer employment to December 31, 2021 (March 25, 2021)
- Allowed grant contingent temporary employees to enroll in IMRF if working over 1,000 hours (March 25, 2021)
- Approved use of VISA credit card through 1st National Bank in Ottawa for Health Department expenses (April 22, 2021)
- Approved two replacement Environmental Health staff (May 27, 2021)
Law & Justice Committee
The committee reviewed and approved monthly bills for the State's Attorney, Public Defender, Circuit Clerk, Judiciary, and Detention Home. Members also discussed department reports and personnel matters for the Public Defender and Grundy County Specialty Court.
- Approved a $91,000 grant for the Juvenile Sex Offender grant
- Approved recommendation to Salary and Labor for Grundy County Specialty Court replacement personnel
- Approved recommendation to Salary and Labor for moving up positions and a replacement position in the Public Defender office
- Approved bills for the Detention Home totaling $34,463.36 (2020) and $15,506.02 (2021) plus handdrawn amounts
- Approved bills for the Judiciary totaling $105,354.24 (2020) and $26,539.88 (2021) plus handdrawn amounts
Regional Superintendent of Schools (Schools Services / Health Department) Committee
The Regional Superintendent of Schools, School Services, and Health Department Committee met multiple times in 2021 to approve bills, review budgets, and receive reports from the ROE, school health nurse, and health department. Discussions covered remote learning, ESSER funding, COVID-19 protocols for schools, and a request for American Rescue Plan funds. The committee also held an executive session on employee compensation and recommended a pay increase for non-union staff.
- Approved bills totaling $465.18 (ROE) and $350.58 (School Services) in December 2020
- Approved bills totaling $668.48 (ROE) and $460.37 (School Services) in February 2021
- Approved bills totaling $48.07 (ROE) and $515.36 (School Services) in April 2021
- Approved bills totaling $503.84 (ROE) and $792.41 (School Services) in June 2021
- Recommended $0.50/hr pay increase for non-union School Services staff (June 2021)
Tourism Committee
The Tourism Committee met across multiple dates to approve funding requests for local events and marketing materials. The body decided on expenditures for billboards, social media, and radio ads to promote regional tourism.
- Approved $16,670.00 for Flock to the Rock welcome bags and ads
- Approved $3,200.00 for a 2-page spread in the Heritage Corridor I&M Canal guide
- Approved $2,954.00 for Burgoo radio ads
- Approved funding for Streator 4th of July and Mendota Sweet Corn Festival promotions
- Approved bills totaling $16,250.00 (Jan 22) and $6,500.00 (Feb 19 and March 19)
Health Insurance Committee
The LaSalle County Insurance Committee met to review health insurance reports, approve payments, and discuss healthcare updates. They approved bills and transfers, accepted the November 2020 health insurance report, and heard from consultant Mike Wojcik about ACA changes, COVID-19 claims, and a proposed benefits claim audit. The committee also discussed an amendment to their contract with The Horton Group regarding wellness services.
- Approved bills totaling $4,311.30, $136,688.64, $150.00 and prepaids of $416.65, $1,861,865.36, $501,864.39, $304,527.33
- November 2020 medical claims $442,402, Rx claims $184,673, net total $554,278
- YTD large claims: 18 claimants totaling $2,534,332; county portion $1,927,764, BCBS portion $606,568
- COVID-19 claims: $59,334.48 testing, $802.25 antibody testing, $273,826.05 treatment
- Proposed benefits claim audit: $21,000 medical, $9,000 Rx
Insurance Trust Committee
The LaSalle County Insurance Trust Board met to approve insurance policy renewals, review financial reports, and discuss updates on highway reconstruction, jail accreditation, and a cyber claim. They also approved several payments, including $968,107 for renewal premiums, and entered executive session for litigation and claims discussions.
- Approved 2020-2021 insurance policy renewals totaling $968,107, including property, workers' comp, health dept, nursing home, drone, cyber, and flood coverage
- Approved payment of $9,475 to CCMSI for administration and loss control services
- Approved payment of $600 to Dimond Brothers Insurance for consultation services
- Approved payment of $377.50 for QuickBooks software for accounting
- Discussed retirement of Risk Management Consultant Bill Schulte and future replacement
Taxes, Election & Geographic Information System (GIS) Committee
The Taxes, Election & GIS Committee reviewed and approved routine bills, department reports, and forwarded resolutions for tax sale certificates to the Full Board. They also approved the County Clerk's Annual Report and discussed election updates, including postponed tax sale and mobile home tax bills.
- Approved bills totaling $26,513.83 for Treasurer (2021)
- Approved bills totaling $106,341.62 for County Clerk (2021)
- Forwarded Certificate of Purchase resolutions for parcels 05-04-200-003 (Northville) and 15-49-208-028 (Rutland)
- Forwarded Assignment of Tax Sale Certificate for parcel 03-19-202-010 (Earl)
- Approved replacement employee for County Clerk's office
Committee on Appointment & Legislation & Rules
The LaSalle County Committee on Appointments and Legislation & Rules met multiple times from December 2020 to April 2021 to handle appointments, board rule changes, and committee assignments. They approved numerous drainage district commissioner appointments, amended board rules regarding per diem and IMRF contributions, and discussed a department name change. The meetings were largely procedural, with no public comments.
- Approved appointments/reappointments for multiple drainage district commissioners (e.g., Ross Adams, RE Larkin, Bill Pakenham)
- Amended board rules to allow IMRF-contributing board members to be paid monthly instead of quarterly
- Amended board rules to allow more than one per diem per day if meetings are at least 2 hours apart
- Approved appointment of Sandi Billard as Zoning Board of Appeals Chair
- Approved changes to committee meeting dates/times starting in April
License Committee
The LaSalle County License Committee met multiple times from December 2020 to September 2021, handling liquor, amusement, and raffle licenses. The most significant action was approving a resolution to waive 2021 liquor license renewal fees for qualified licensees (classes A-D) due to COVID-19, which was forwarded to the full board. Other business included discussing new liquor licenses, one-day event permits, and changing meeting times.
- Resolution waiving 2021 liquor license renewal fees (approved April 13, 2021)
- New liquor license for Juice's Tap (purchasing Marine Corp in Jonesville)
- One-day event license pending for Country Ranch
- Amusement/VGT license renewals mailed December 14, 2020
- Meeting time changed to 2nd Tuesday of each month
County Property Committee
The LaSalle County Property Committee reviewed and approved bills, discussed ongoing maintenance projects, and made recommendations on contracts. Key actions included recommending John's Service and Sales for the boiler replacement, authorizing the disposal of surplus county property via auction, and proceeding with farm lease bids and soil testing.
- Recommended John's Service and Sales for boiler replacement at the Governmental Center
- Authorized disposal of surplus county property through IBID auction site
- Authorized bid process and soil testing for farm leases
- Opened bids for Downtown Courthouse roof; lowest bid $172,400
- Approved bills totaling over $100,000 for parks and buildings
Highway Committee
The Highway (Bridge & Township Roads) Committee met across three dates to approve department expenditures and infrastructure plans. The body decided on vehicle purchases, fuel bids, and utility permits while discussing bridge improvement plans and property disposition.
- Approved purchase of a 2021 Dodge Pick-up Quad Cab for the engineering department for $24,013.00
- Forwarded Resolution #21-02 regarding the sale or disposition of county property at E. 23rd Road and N. 22nd Road to the County Property Committee
- Approved fuel bids from Grainco FS
- Approved bills totaling $274,844.21 on December 16 and $171,849.35 on January 21
- Forwarded Resolution #21-01 to the County Board to fund the LaSalle County Engineer's 2021 salary
Salary & Labor Committee
The Salary & Labor Committee decided on several personnel replacements and approved a platform change for the 457B investment plan to reduce costs. The committee also authorized specific employee stipends and discretionary leave for a nursing home employee.
- Approved Accounting Clerk replacement at $15.75/hr
- Approved Nursing Home Activity Director ($35,360-39,520/yr) and Medical Biller ($36,816/yr)
- Approved $6,400 stipend for Treasurer's office employee Jennifer Gende
- Approved EMA ransomware stipends: $145.82 to Fred Moore and $742.86 to Connie Brooks
- Approved LPL & Security Benefits 457B plan renewal and directed an RFP process for 2021
Nursing Home, VAC, and ROE Committee
The LaSalle County Nursing Home & VAC Committee reviewed and approved monthly bills and reports for both the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) and the LaSalle County Nursing Home (LCNH). They discussed COVID-19 testing, PPE supplies, and resident visitation restrictions, and approved the purchase of a heated plate dispenser for $2,353. The committee also noted the start of new Nursing Home Administrator Carrie Becker on December 14, 2020, and later updates on COVID-19 vaccines and staffing.
- Approved VAC bills totaling $1,714.97 (2020) and $350.00 (2021), plus hand-drawn amounts
- Approved LCNH bills including $14,179.26 hand-drawn (2020) and $108,772.32 breakout
- Approved replacement of heater plate dispenser for $2,353 from Direct Supply
- Discussed COVID-19 weekly testing, PPE stock, and outdoor visitation tent
- Noted Carrie Becker starting as Nursing Home Administrator on December 14
IT & Central Services Committee
The committee reviewed monthly reports and approved various bills for Central Services and Information Technology. Discussions included IT infrastructure upgrades, a power outage affecting the recorder's office, and a personnel replacement for Central Services.
- Approved Central Services bills totaling $16,027.06, $11,000.00, and $1,124.99 (Dec 4)
- Approved IT bills totaling $15,131.96 (Dec 4 and Jan 8)
- Approved Central Services bills totaling $42,658.65, $677.76, and $225.00 (Jan 8)
- Approved IT bills totaling $560.30, $197.03, and $6,324.71 (Feb 5)
- Approved a replacement employee for Central Services and forwarded the action to Salary and Labor (Feb 5)
Health & Safety Committee
The LaSalle County Health & Safety Committee met on March 4, 2021, to review the results of the annual tornado drill, discuss trip hazard inspections, and select a winner for the quarterly safety incentive. The committee also reviewed workers' compensation claims, with 6 claims reported year-to-date in 2021 compared to 4 in 2020.
- Tornado drill conducted on 2/22/21 for DT Courthouse and Governmental Complex was without incident
- Trip hazard inspection of all county offices to be conducted by Jim McGovern and Fred Moore
- Quarterly safety incentive drawing: $25 gift card awarded
- Workers' compensation claims: 2 in February 2021, 6 YTD 2021 vs 4 YTD 2020
- Monthly safety topic: Workplace Housekeeping
Public Safety Committee
The LaSalle County Public Safety Committee reviewed and approved routine bills for the Sheriff, Coroner, Animal Control, and EMA departments. They also discussed upcoming bids for jail food service, medical/mental health services, and camera upgrades, and considered a resolution urging the Governor to veto House Bill 3653 on criminal justice reform.
- Approved Sheriff's bills totaling $28,733.91 (2020) and $41,013.35 (2021) for various departments
- Approved Coroner's bills totaling $19,087.63 (2020) and $19,087.63 (2021) including COVID-related expenses
- Approved Animal Control bills totaling $7,325.73 (2020) and $2,583.84 (2021)
- Approved EMA bills totaling $765.45 (2020) and $1,449.38 (2021)
- Discussed bids for jail food service, medical/mental health services, and camera upgrades
Land Use & Oversite Committee
The Land Use & TIF Committee reviewed the 2020 annual report for the Environmental Services and Land Use Department, approved a resolution for a deed in lieu of foreclosure on a property in Earlville, and discussed various land use and TIF matters. The meeting included an executive session for pending litigation and a motion to allow security expenditures at clean-up sites.
- Approved resolution authorizing County Board Chairman to execute deed in lieu of foreclosure for 4464 E 1251st Rd, Earlville
- 2020 Annual Report: 47 single-family home permits, $25+ million total project cost, 332 solid waste inspections, 310,000 lbs electronics recycled
- Approved bills totaling $14,374.68 for land use budget
- Discussed noxious weed commissioner violation and possible solutions
- 5 of 6 TIF districts dissolved December 31, 2020
Oversite-Landfill Committee Agendas and Minutes (PDF)
The LaSalle County Oversight-Landfill Committee met quarterly in 2021 to approve minutes, quarterly/annual reports, and landfill inspection reports. The January meeting included a correction to the host benefit fee rate calculation, and the April meeting included an executive session for pending litigation. The July meeting discussed a new agreement with LandComp, including a $0.50 surcharge and a reduced maximum tonnage.
- Approved corrected host benefit fee rates: $2.66/ton for first 105,000 tons, $4.08/ton for next 35,000 tons, $5.58/ton for remainder
- Held executive session for pending litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11))
- Discussed new LandComp agreement: wood chips payment, $0.50 surcharge, Saturday openings, reduced max total to 300,000 tons
- Approved landfill inspection reports with no violations noted for July-September 2021
- Requested storm water toxin testing by LandComp
Circuit Wide Probation Committee
The committee met multiple times between December 2020 and July 2021 to review probation statistics, residential placement reports, and salary reimbursements. The body consistently voted to approve previous meeting minutes and pay monthly bills.
- Approval of annual and semi-annual reports
- Discussion of FY2022 budgets
- Review of AOIC Salary reimbursements
- Discussion of JSOP program funding sources
- Updates on replacement positions