LaSalle County public meetings in 2022
7 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Health Department Board
The LaSalle County Board of Health met multiple times from December 2021 through March 2022, approving monthly bills and COVID fund transfers. The department reported rising COVID cases, a shift to endemic management, new testing options with a $41 fee, and the end of the mask mandate in February 2022. The board also placed proposed bylaws on file and later approved existing bylaws.
- Approved payment of November 2021 bills and transfer of COVID funds (Dec. 2021 meeting)
- Department expanding COVID testing: adding PCR and ID Now rapid antigen test for $41 fee (Dec. 2021)
- Received $10,000 MRC Grant for volunteer convention (Jan. 2022 meeting)
- Governor ends mask mandate Feb. 28, 2022; positivity rate dropped from 16% to 4% (Feb. 2022 meeting)
- Approved existing Board of Health Bylaws until amended (Feb. 2022 meeting)
Taxes, Election & Geographic Information System (GIS) Committee
The Taxes, Election & GIS Committee reviewed and approved budgets and bills for the Treasurer, County Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, GIS, and Assessment-Board of Review departments. They also approved a tax sale certificate for a parcel in Manlius Township and forwarded the County Clerk's annual report to the full board. The meetings included department reports and updates on elections and legislative matters.
- Approved tax sale certificate for parcel 24-18-220-008 in Manlius Township (Acct: 0921035G)
- Approved County Clerk annual report to be forwarded to the Full Board
- Approved bills totaling $129,497.12 for GIS (Dept. 035-000) in 2022
- Discussed replacement employee in County Clerk office and election petition deadlines
- Approved bills for Recorder of Deeds including $74,540.00 handdrawn in 2022
Health Insurance Committee
The LaSalle County Insurance Committee reviewed the November 2021 health insurance report from The Horton Group, which showed net monthly claims of $543,167 and year-to-date claims of $6.2 million. The committee approved prepaid bills totaling $778,728.28 and accepted the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois report for November. They also discussed whether to request the full claims report and whether the committee should approve workers' compensation bills.
- Approved prepaid bills: $1,100.13 (001-045), $8,298.28 (016-000), $482,301.77 (098-000), $287,028.49 (004-000)
- Accepted and placed on file the BCBS of Illinois report for November 2021
- Discussed requiring the full claims report from The Horton Group instead of a condensed version
- Discussed new state requirement to report mandated essential health coverages to employees
- Discussed whether the committee should approve workers' compensation bills
Health & Safety Committee
The LaSalle County Health & Safety Committee discussed adding prescription drug recycling drop boxes at the Governmental Complex and Downtown Courthouse, and reviewed a safety slogan contest. They also heard a report on workers' compensation claims, with 26 claims year-to-date in 2021 compared to 20 in 2020.
- Prescription Drug Recycling Program: additional drop boxes planned for East entrance of Governmental Complex and Downtown Courthouse
- 2022 Safety Slogan Contest: winner to receive a gift card
- Emergency Guidelines/Safety Procedures Flip Chart: quotes received from vendors, subcommittee to be formed
- Workers' compensation claims: 26 claims YTD 2021 vs 20 YTD 2020
- Active Shooter Training: departments encouraged to schedule training with Sheriff's office
County Property Committee
The LaSalle County Property Committee met three times from December 2021 to January 2022, approving bills, discussing park rule amendments (including alcohol at Catlin Park and shelter fees), and moving forward with a demolition project for a house on Catlin Park property. The committee also tabled a downtown courthouse generator bid pending city discussions, extended farm leases for two years, and discussed American Rescue Plan fund allocation.
- Motion to proceed with demolition quote and asbestos inspection for Catlin Park house (Dec. 30, 2021)
- Park rules amended to mirror state park criteria, including alcohol allowance at Catlin Park and deposit fees for shelters (Dec. 30, 2021)
- Downtown courthouse generator bid tabled until next meeting after City of Ottawa historic committee discussions (Dec. 10, 2021)
- Farm leases at Catlin Park and Etna Road extended two more years, forwarded to Full Board (Dec. 10, 2021)
- Resolution concerning sale of county property at 4464 E 1251st Rd, Earlville, IL on January 14, 2022 agenda
Nursing Home, VAC, and ROE Committee
The LaSalle County Nursing Home & VAC Committee approved a wage increase for certified nursing assistants to $20.00 per hour and authorized hiring additional unit attendants. The committee also approved bills for the Veterans Assistance Commission and the nursing home, and discussed using ARP funds for an air exchange project. An executive session was held to discuss employee matters.
- Approved CNA wage increase to $20.00 per hour
- Authorized hiring additional unit attendants
- Approved VAC bills: $10,989.52 (2021) and $4,550.00 (2022)
- Approved nursing home bills: $124,816.42 (2021) and $138,956.20 (2022)
- Discussed using ARP funds for air exchange project at nursing home
Public Safety Committee
The Public Safety Committee approved bills for the Sheriff, Coroner, Animal Control, and EMA departments, and forwarded a jail video surveillance upgrade to the 2022 budget. The committee also approved a replacement EMA Deputy Director with a salary range of $40,000-$50,000, to be forwarded to the Salary and Labor Committee.
- Approved Sheriff's bills totaling $75,419.32 for 2021 and $108,660.96 for 2022
- Approved Coroner's bills totaling $27,914.31 for 2021
- Approved Animal Control bills totaling $9,516.80 for 2021
- Approved EMA bills totaling $13.13 for 2021
- Approved replacement EMA Deputy Director with salary range $40,000-$50,000