[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6272028,"mediaKeyId","3028207-4858803f10fa3224f7b3674750fdecd1","parentId",3028207,"title","Highway officials debate lower‑cost hardened shelter option after $700,000 estimate for replacement structure","audioSeconds",226,"startMs",1756000,"endMs",1982000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028207-4858803f10fa3224f7b3674750fdecd1&start=1756&end=1982","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028207-4858803f10fa3224f7b3674750fdecd1/thumbnail_1756000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272028/LaSalle-County/Illinois/Highway-officials-debate-lowercost-hardened-shelter-option-after-700000-estimate-for-replacement-structure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272028-295466fa12057ed68991ff442b07673e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139341&Signature=bKRzUI2zjsEUAL4x6CTkG1wS5AM6~Xys040wTVk8GztRMsA1wAGGHF06QaCELVyUwZMjMPRGpkTFtML7qySY5OrNoIjsvzNs2w-9ulBh88qZHe8eDfSbTlzLJ4qF2FiDRlom-gRBbEVV-e~AGSdb2EO7PRpjgJbZxz7QHgp3enGC3L5uDH416JV4bdHVexwJ3zs421l~MUfNlpK~qoiIUT2xbYVyV7vcFsb1tgOADot-LqUDV0MKYAX6uK~JAf51DaFcaeGTmsvNVwxBz5OibfgVJXrUjnHk4Lhzl7kOCQ7g678WyWxRiAUP-Vl2mj791psJLT7QKneCdl6Dy9jW4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LaSalle County, IL","date","2025-04-17T00:29:41.367Z","article","A staff presentation on facility repairs included discussion of a proposed replacement shelter structure estimated by a consultant at roughly $700,000, a figure that prompted concern from committee members.

Committee members debated options including building a masonry hardened room inside the existing facility using county crews and precast panels as a lower‑cost alternative. Staff noted potential liability and asked whether structural plans would need engineer or architect stamping and whether the county’s own work could be signed off; staff said they would consult the state’s attorney and the original stamped plans from the prior design. Members cautioned against giving false assurance that an improvised hardened room would provide tornado‑safe shelter if it did not meet the standards of an engineered tornado shelter.

Staff suggested pursuing multiple tracks: explore grant funding sources through regional grant partners (the meeting referenced an NCICG outreach), and simultaneously prepare a cost estimate for building a hardened interior structure using county labor and purchased materials. The committee did not authorize construction at the meeting; members asked staff to research grant eligibility, engineering sign‑off requirements and cost estimates, and to return with options.

Ending: Staff will contact the county attorney and potential grant sources and present cost estimates and options at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Highway Meeting 4/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members discussed an engineer’s $700,000 estimate for a new shelter structure, considered building an internal masonry hardened room using county crews, and agreed to explore grant opportunities and confirm engineer/stamp questions with the county attorney and architect.","taxTitle","LaSalle County, Illinois","taxId",59330,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6272033,"LaSalle County to post public rights‑of‑way accessibility plan for 30‑day comment",215,2902000,3117000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028207-4858803f10fa3224f7b3674750fdecd1&start=2902&end=3117","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028207-4858803f10fa3224f7b3674750fdecd1/thumbnail_2902000.jpg","/articles/6272033/LaSalle-County/Illinois/LaSalle-County-to-post-public-rightsofway-accessibility-plan-for-30day-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272033-d569e78af6dc90aa3fa62cbcf218c8d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139341&Signature=lJm5PA4o4QjLILo4tQd6Dy~UTSwfnEb1Qp962bQP9FUz0QA-ZXpXbQL99qBteLMilC6raeWMIGo-GU79bUcdak2vWeXXaX4vud~25kxu-E1QNEfFDyOTdAOasTdNVz3Kg9jywKblfSW68eySEytoYWgPVUytevDl1nf9zCaMQWUnmn6zF-D~7ug4moPrLk52cnt5f49suVEMxhy6lKVgLWgAFoiGnA0BQIhWJKaKtOKEV7aDvDqol9LeVO4di-RCtLPrr9NonAXoasSmZsOrkiD88LBGiVPd9d3ThrercERfY42a0kVMFBFPq2qK1Z-BYFvfGlhato4819gDWeW0Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County Highway Department staff said on Thursday the department will post its public rights‑of‑way accessibility plan on the county website for a 30‑day comment period, fulfilling a requirement staff described as federal.

The plan, staff said, is a short document (about eight pages) that includes a grievance form for requests for accommodations. The document inventories curb ramps adjacent to the county highway system in municipalities that include Dana, Earlville, Grand Ridge, Leonore, Millington, Ottawa, Troy Grove and Wedron. Staff said roughly 24 intersections that have sidewalks adjacent to county highways were assessed and that only two of those curb ramps are currently compliant with the accessibility requirements described in the plan.

Staff told the committee that federal law places responsibility on the county to address ramps when county resurfacing touches the ramp or adjacent sidewalk. The department said the cost to fix noncompliant curb ramps is currently the county’s responsibility when the county resurfaces the road, unless a jurisdictional transfer or other agreement with a municipality reassigns responsibility.

Staff said the department will post the plan as a link on the highway department’s front page so it will be visible to website visitors. The department will accept comments for 30 days, after which the plan will be published on the website.

Ending: Staff emphasized the posting is intended to meet federal requirements and to begin addressing noncompliant ramps over time as resurfacing projects occur.","Highway staff said the county will publish a short public rights‑of‑way accessibility plan (required by federal law) for a 30‑day public comment period; staff said many curb ramps adjacent to county highways will need work when resurfacing occurs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6272038,"LaSalle County highway committee approves multiple road contracts, a tractor purchase and e‑bidding pilot",12,2712000,2724000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028207-4858803f10fa3224f7b3674750fdecd1&start=2712&end=2724","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028207-4858803f10fa3224f7b3674750fdecd1/thumbnail_2712000.jpg","/articles/6272038/LaSalle-County/Illinois/LaSalle-County-highway-committee-approves-multiple-road-contracts-a-tractor-purchase-and-ebidding-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272038-b0c31d03d86471d63850c65d9c500f44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139341&Signature=GZ9EtZRnYN7o~NuTQHBZ36N7UwqlBjmGO-yUwgfFnMkM90Kh1Mh2s5gE0M0m0OnymN9f2DmZDzuW2sqmCAKgFTEirp3-Yv5KAgfDhoiKteQeWRBoCXWZyPgItAhS4Xc4giFm~xTZ~~zqvpqmfyGoiUWPjKaKyNQdWQgTBOyzVVm0yJPdCcpD2iExeF0MIUN~WKQqfCUlEAJ6Q97ykER654sGuk7jE7XKZXqwSW1Krxg1M-kWAjpSUcE9Dvk3vFoJK-kZnagDc9PSx3mr1Wwn0aazZ0UsTJc4lUmopkcN4WcCZm7VVNYoGi1GIoOmSPH896Pokj~l55Hu8ozXrOur3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County Highway Department officials on Thursday approved awards to multiple contractors for resurfacing and shoulder projects, voted to buy one mowing tractor, and authorized an e‑bidding pilot for highway projects, the department said during its regular meeting.

The committee awarded low bids on a series of highway resurfacing and shoulder jobs, with vendors and recommended award amounts announced during the meeting. Department staff recommended awards to Illinois Valley Excavating, Universal Asphalt and Excavation, Holcomb, Antelope Valley Excavating and others for projects that included HMA resurfacing and aggregate shoulder work across county townships. Staff said the recommended low bidders were under the engineer’s estimates for the listed projects.

The committee also approved the purchase of one John Deere‑brand mowing tractor available from a Mendota dealer for $55,802.82. Department staff recommended buying the lower‑priced machine (a near‑new unit with about 10 hours) with a standard two‑year or 2,000‑hour warranty and to continue shopping for a second tractor at a lower price point rather than buying higher‑end models listed at about $73,911 and $146,901.

On electronic procurement, the committee voted to begin a pilot using Quest (an electronic bidding platform) for highway lettings. Staff said Quest is already used by many state and local agencies; using the system would let vendors pull plans and submit bids electronically, reduce paper handling and allow staff to verify submissions before publicly posting results.

Other routine items approved during the meeting included multiple utility and transmission‑line crossing permits, several road‑flooring and tile permits, approval to post the department’s surplus equipment at auction, and a special‑event cleanup permit for an Earth Day roadside cleanup. Staff also read and the committee approved the accounts payable and the minutes from the prior meeting.

Votes at a glance: the transcript records the following formal approvals during the meeting:
- Award: Aggregate shoulder and resurfacing projects — recommended awards to Illinois Valley Excavating, Universal Asphalt & Excavation, Antelope (Antelope Valley) Excavating, Holcomb, Current Contracting and others; committee approved awards as recommended (motion carried). (Transcript evidence: bids and awards announced at multiple points; see provenance.)
- Purchase: One John Deere mowing tractor for $55,802.82 — approved (motion carried). (Transcript evidence: “So I'm looking for a motion to purchase the 1 tractor for $55,802.82.”)
- E‑bidding pilot: Quest electronic bidding for highway projects — approved (motion carried).
- Surplus/disposal: Authorize disposal/sale of two tandems, a pickup, an SUV and other listed vehicles/equipment — approved (motion carried).
- Special event permit: Sabik (Earth Day cleanup along County Highway 51/Canal Road) — approved (motion carried).

Staff said the low bids were typically below the engineer’s estimates and that all bidders were prequalified through IDOT. Department staff recommended awarding to the lowest responsible bidders and noted prior work experience where applicable. The department indicated it will continue using state prequalification standards and will verify bid tab calculations when numbers are handwritten.

Ending: Staff summarized upcoming construction activity — culvert and bridge work planned for spring and summer — and the committee adjourned after routine business.","The LaSalle County Highway Department voted to award several road and shoulder contracts to low bidders, approved the purchase of one mower tractor and authorized an electronic bidding pilot with Quest; several utility and right‑of‑way permits and surplus disposals were also approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Highway officials debate lower‑cost hardened shelter option after $700,000 estimate for replacement structure

LaSalle County to post public rights‑of‑way accessibility plan for 30‑day comment

LaSalle County highway committee approves multiple road contracts, a tractor purchase and e‑bidding pilot