La Salle County Board

Republicans officially maintained control of the La Salle County Board after final election results were released Tuesday.

Don Jensen is in good position to retain his seat as La Salle County Board chairman.

Here are unofficial results for the November 2024 primary for the La Salle County Board and its chairperson, the La Salle County auditor, and the Bureau County state's attorney and coroner, as well as local judicial races and referendums.

There will be some new faces in key elected positions throughout La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties following the election. Tuesday's unofficial election results may provide some answers to who those individuals may be. Here are 5 local races we're watching closely.

The La Salle County Board will levy about $33.2 million this year. While subject to change, that would be a projected increase of less than 1%.

La Salle County voters will elect a chairman and numerous seats on the La Salle County Board and numerous contested races. These include five races in Ottawa, Streator and the county’s east end.

La Salle County voters will elect a chairman and numerous seats on the La Salle County Board and numerous contested races. These include a race in Peru (District 11) and La Salle (District 13).

La Salle County voters will select a chairman for the La Salle County Board. Incumbent Don Jensen, R-Deer Park, runs against board member Brian Dose, D-Ottawa, on Nov. 5.

Bring in $3 million while trucking in coal ash from the Hennepin power plant? The La Salle County Board said no. They don't want the coal ash or the money.

The SAFE-T Act has freed up cells in La Salle County Jail, enabling the county to offer overflow space to counties with crowded jails. La Salle County has a new customer: Kane County Jail.

The La Salle County Board approved a $757,635 bid for a command vehicle for the Emergency Management Agency to coordinate a response.

A full statement from Don Jensen, La Salle County Board chairman, on La Salle County audit for 2023.

A La Salle County audit for 2023 is past due and Springfield has halted payment on 54 grants, county officials revealed at a Tuesday meeting.

Full statement from Stephanie Jo Thompson, La Salle County auditor, in regard to the La Salle County audit for 2023.

Catlin Park visitors still can hunt white-tailed deer with a bow – park officials would, in fact, like to trim the overpopulation – but hunting season there was scaled back by a month.

Overdoses are trending down in La Salle County – on pace for a year-over-reduction of nearly 11% – but activists are urging everyone in the county to join in the effort to reduce overdoses and deaths.

La Salle County sheriff’s deputies are getting new dash cameras - 35 of them in all - that will include the ability to automatically read and process licenses plates.

The La Salle County Board installed an appointee for the Streator-area seat that was held by the late Tony Tooley.

The La Salle County complex on Etna Road in Ottawa has had issues with flooding and mold in the basement. County officials have asked: Is the lower level safe for jurors and voters? Some of those questions may be answered Friday.

OSF HealthCare requested a deferral last week for its permit applications to discontinue Ottawa’s current hospital facility and build a new one.

In a move aimed at bolstering Streator's downtown revitalization efforts, the City Council recently approved a series of facade grants during its latest meeting for Blue Eyed Rascal, Vette to Vette and Curley’s Furniture.

Beth Findley Smith, a Somonauk Republican and La Salle County Board member, was one of Illinois’ 10 at-large delegates for Donald J. Trump at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

La Salle County has had its share of disasters – tornadoes, floods, five-alarm fires – but hasn’t had a command vehicle for the Emergency Management Agency to coordinate a response. It soon might.

The Streator Plan Commission recommended Tuesday two $15,000 facade grants for Blue Eyed Rascal Baking Company at 121 E. Main St. and 106 S Park St.

Testimony Wednesday from La Salle-Peru area residents and officials carried a different tune than a hearing in Ottawa earlier this month pertaining to OSF HealthCare’s plans to modify services in the region.

The Streator City Council joined Ottawa and Marseilles city councils, as well as the La Salle County Board, in opposing OSF’s plans to build a new hospital in Ottawa and move obstetrics and ICU services outside of the city.

The La Salle County Board wants OSF HealthCare to reconsider its plans to build a new hospital in Ottawa that also includes moving services to Peru.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, which is tasked with reviewing OSF HealthCare’s application for service changes in La Salle County, will conduct a public hearing 4 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at Central Intermediate School in Ottawa.

The Citizens for Healthcare in Ottawa recently filed a complaint with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice regarding OSF HealthCare’s plan to build a new Ottawa hospital and move medical services currently in Ottawa to Peru.

Police departments were stretched thin after COVID-19, bad publicity across the nation and the enactment of the SAFE-T Act. Staffing shortages are easing thanks to a spate of recruits drawn by increases in starting pay and improving public perception.

The Ottawa City Council will host a meeting Wednesday with OSF HealthCare officials to discuss plans for health care in Ottawa moving forward.

The La Salle City Council approved a letter of support Monday for OSF HealthCare’s plan for Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, after hearing the city of Ottawa and the La Salle County Board will consider passing a resolution in opposition of it.

Some La Salle County Board members aren’t happy about OSF HealthCare’s plans to tear down the Ottawa hospital, build a new facility and redistribute services, but they declined Thursday to pass a resolution in opposition.

Ottawa finally got the TIF district extensions the city had asked of La Salle County.

A resolution opposing any name change for Starved Rock State Park sailed Thursday through the La Salle County Board.

After hearing from many residents Tuesday, the Ottawa City Council next will meet with OSF to discuss its opposition to changes in local health care.

La Salle County has not opposed OSF HealthCare’s plan to demolish the Ottawa hospital and build a new facility, but a resolution likely is to be fast tracked on Thursday.

The La Salle County Board will vote Thursday on a resolution opposing any attempt to rename Starved Rock State Park. A board committee unanimously advanced a draft resolution Monday.

IVCC along with the Regional Office of Education announced the application for the ARPA Scholarship for IVCC Summer 2024 semester is now available. Students who are enrolled or planning to enroll in IVCC’s spring CNA program are eligible to apply.

The La Salle County Board honored and recognized the contributions of all 25 volunteers of the La Salle County Emergency Management Agency as Global Volunteer Month kicks off.

La Salle County officials think they might have been overcharged for body cameras. If so, they want some of their money back.

The two nominees for La Salle County Board chairman dominated the county's precinct totals. The canvass released Wednesday shows Don Jensen and Brian Dose with more than 100 (of 119) precincts won.

Here are unofficial results for the 2024 March primary for the La Salle County Board and its chairperson and local judicial and legislative races. Plus, voters in Dalzell School District 98 and the village of Wyanet also answered referendum questions.

Here are four takeaways from Tuesday’s primary election in La Salle and Bureau counties.

Melody Burgess leads by 17 votes in the lone primary contest for a La Salle County Board seat.

The following responses were provided by each of the candidates to the question, “What are the top issues facing your county and what would you like to do to address those issues?”

CiCi Chalus is calling it a career after 14 years service to the La Salle County Court Appointed Special Advocates. The search is on for her successor.

Question: What challenges is the region facing in terms of attracting business and tourism? Michelle Mathia's answer: Retaining young, educated workers and businesses that offer higher incomes. Read more of her questionnaire here.

Question: What would you push for as a member of county government to boost local businesses? Answer: I would make economic development my first priority. Read Brian Dose's full questionnaire here.

Joe Oscepinski, Jr: In accordance with the La Salle County Emergency Management’s All-Hazards Plan, which I fully endorse, it is imperative that we prioritize the humane treatment of migrants while also abiding by lawful procedures.