[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6247479,"mediaKeyId","3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb","parentId",3212878,"title","Committee questions frequency of hand-drawn checks as members approve weekly bills","audioSeconds",112,"startMs",2430000,"endMs",2542000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb&start=2430&end=2542","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb/thumbnail_2430000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247479/LaSalle-County/Illinois/Committee-questions-frequency-of-hand-drawn-checks-as-members-approve-weekly-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247479-2c32b87c181d2ab62964984c21b700ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1775083389&Signature=PDcKxDMH~tFVHOeA0kJ9R8TXDCaxvJsBi1mwNWQAtdO3~hW0dpEUl8kOY~QPvTijitfkIVsr18heegQNb0~cITti3a29g8M6mwkiEkbyBPfGn3TsrYU3KHxFrbNk~yUPJ03h-g5kC90rSfTPgaYmQKUElbEC-Zd4OLfrkT3BZl~aKvNGimgUNYlckmBJaC0HfE3lpZikX4CzewQSbleuTrG~iImBJOfzjrnscCFhsT-wL~hB~mH5Mccpg0KtvLOW8R-KE4rV1q~9hv9gZJIMN3Rr77bUa6CIMdgXSrjS8PirDoG5UYBRggGiBacQnSNXXupcrXos~MXk2g9MAG8N7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LaSalle County, IL","date","2025-05-08T02:51:28Z","article","LaSalle County committee members approved the weekly bills and questioned the prevalence of \"hand-drawn\" checks to local vendors, asking staff to follow up with the auditor's office.

At the meeting a member asked why several invoices were marked as hand-drawn checks and whether local vendors would accept delayed payment: \"It just seemed to me it's a local company. It was due, 04/04/2022. Is there, something since it's a local company, would they extend, terms to the county so that it doesn't have to be a hand drawn check?\" the member asked.

Staff replied that the invoices had been received only that week and that they had just turned them in for payment; staff said they would check with the auditor's office to determine why the items were marked hand-drawn. \"I could talk to the auditor's office, see why that was hand drawn,\" staff said. The staff member also noted many vendors are local and likely to accept payment without charging late fees, and said they will investigate recurring vendors to minimize the number of hand-drawn payments.

Why it matters: frequent hand-drawn checks can complicate bookkeeping and press local vendors; committee members asked staff to examine regular local payees to reduce ad-hoc hand checks.

Committee action: the committee voted to approve the bills as presented (a motion was made and seconded; a voice vote followed). No change to accounts payable policy was adopted; staff agreed to follow up with the auditor and report back.

Next steps: staff will check with the auditor's office on why invoices were marked hand-drawn and will review recurring local vendors to minimize future hand-drawn checks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oversight-Landfill and Land Use 5-7-25","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members approved the county bills and raised concerns about recurring hand-drawn checks to local vendors; staff said many invoices arrived recently and agreed to follow up with the auditor's office on why checks were marked 'hand drawn.'","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},6247484,"FEMA BRIC funding cut leaves county without grant to update Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan",318,1968000,2286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb&start=1968&end=2286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb/thumbnail_1968000.jpg","/articles/6247484/LaSalle-County/Illinois/FEMA-BRIC-funding-cut-leaves-county-without-grant-to-update-Natural-Hazards-Mitigation-Plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247484-0c1b31a45f2f2e4b4af94cb0cc142c7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775083389&Signature=fKXvB92P6~CzDDGwMGhJUxJfDUqwl-Nxsp7a4dUxp-4Uo2ZjbYDDjzulwdVIZedEKG5WkkhSfepAKPSXlFoYJklTAzb22u9biAR14J5JeWshnXsxz11JPyUuqcIUcTxV0tmkoz4VmcHVVGJWwS~1vJkCB-ktcEPCdmLWcjVKyw6kPVbMSGGs7jDzj4OUJCfSbMRl0WZ89AhXz93qUIEjuqKQ1RdXCZiue24KD2FNV2E~w-X9ZGFWANEA7z3YWvB9AzsMjNpLMXu44Di9JtQex1eOFzACOC1Wy4UaecjvQTOI7grHJA-z~9l6wQe~0Xzn~9U6YM6Cjt3QfELZbE54-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County planning staff told committee members the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program — which the county had expected to use to fund an update to its Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan — has ended and that no alternative funding source has been identified.

Brian said the county had applied for a grant under BRIC to help pay for a plan update — a project he estimated in the $30,000 range based on prior updates — and that the program change means the county currently lacks funding for the update. \"I would not expect that to be funded,\" Brian said, referring to the BRIC funding cut. \"We are without a funding source to update the plan.\"

Background and uses: the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan had been used to qualify the county and municipalities for resiliency funding in past projects (the planner cited examples such as flood-related work in Ottawa and Peru). Historically, regional planning partner NCICG prepared the county plan under contract, and the plan update cost had previously been covered in part by grant funds with communities paying a share.

Why it matters: without an updated mitigation plan, the county could be less competitive for certain resilience grants that require an up-to-date plan as a precondition for funding.

Next steps: staff said they will seek additional information from NCICG and consult with emergency management and other partners to determine whether the plan update is needed immediately and whether alternative funding sources exist; staff expects to report back at a future meeting.","County staff said the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program that would have funded an update to the county's Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan has ended, leaving no current funding source for an estimated $30,000 plan update.",{"_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},6247489,"County staff expect Assa Grove Flats wind project permit submittal; total permits remain above 10-year average",81,917000,998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb&start=917&end=998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb/thumbnail_917000.jpg","/articles/6247489/LaSalle-County/Illinois/County-staff-expect-Assa-Grove-Flats-wind-project-permit-submittal-total-permits-remain-above-10-year-average","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247489-b4453dcd37feea0d9e2cebaa31203b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1775083389&Signature=Gd9cBZ8jmGNAv6iJo588PIbELPncvfGq4zY2ibjAI--Hw95~V92IgRjAGF8UtsGbWulhOUBZ~~HQ0ioRTwVM-EoNAuQjgEbHeHe7fMSH-owcQsDYTViJF~WyhZl7AwxikEVlOS9WpZQGTrV2weABQF8ZPPB7IjIy5vMjVXhKKGoLeVuX1hugpkK3I9SQhxKFsgJ714xKHcqgL18yZWJsh5cUAN3dG9mbq3LFUgyPfTrT3HWoAy6vevb9fnrpqq11vgccDt0-MsXZuGcpbn7MUkvZtPa8NZn5aOQoN-U1SySvlv45PotFJb6Jq9wiAmcS7PcCXtR8l5zcOiI1F4t~sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County planning staff told the Land Use Committee the county issued 45 construction permits in April, a level above the 10-year average, and said they expect to receive building-permit applications for the Assa Grove Flats wind project soon.

\"So we had a total of 45 permits issued in April. That's above the 10 year average,\" a county planner reported. The planner also said residential solar permits have declined, likely because incentive periods have ended, while there were several single-family home permits and several applications for alterations to older buildings.

On large development, staff said they anticipate a building-permit submission for Assa Grove Flats wind, which staff described as potentially including \"35 turbines and a couple of MET towers.\" If submitted, the county would process building and related permits under its standard procedures and any applicable zoning requirements.

Why it matters: a higher-than-average month of permit activity signals local building activity and can affect inspection workloads and fee revenue. A major wind project would require coordination on zoning, building, and potential environmental and road-use impacts.

Committee action: The committee placed construction, enforcement and IDPA inspection reports on file by voice vote. Program and permit statistics were presented for committee information; no formal land-use decisions on the wind project were made at the meeting.

Supporting details: Staff reported 5 residential permits in April plus one \"egg single family home\" (phrase as stated in the report) for a total of six single-family units noted in the month. The planner said solid-waste permitted site inspections and complaint inspections continue to be tracked separately.","LaSalle County reported 45 construction permits issued in April, above the 10-year average, and staff said building permits for the Assa Grove Flats wind project — expected to include about 35 turbines and some meteorological towers — may be submitted next month.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247494,"County staff report plan-review delays under SafeBuilt contract; new building inspector in place",356,1156000,1512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb&start=1156&end=1512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb/thumbnail_1156000.jpg","/articles/6247494/LaSalle-County/Illinois/County-staff-report-plan-review-delays-under-SafeBuilt-contract-new-building-inspector-in-place","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247494-8c79854d2067ec8494f909769bb57ec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775083389&Signature=bW6zFxs~FnrmtD2ZSdGJaNqU5-d8O~q4oXkV6jW~3K0RwLVFilcQYs4fScUrJ5Y7zSsvkDz1FacJLnKy69oBDQ6vS~8mN0MMMzV07-mdbgj-ewYEV3wDphWBNfYypPuvbYG8A0jagl3B1N~Z29Y2bU50VMQsoNP7RTP19Fcl65J8zuwGfWF9Rt56RHNpwDUGjcO6A2KzDsOWIHMgEQUe5CsOzXsZZIQ70sxG8ksrysH66vEaEVI~0CJFXWUXqi89qfT2AAXaYeUXVha-I2br1HHyWcb0NikzxsxOhdcc~lTVgVoXWNye5~TtcpAGuE0~ShGBpWOki8~J-yB5zu0umg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County staff told the Land Use Committee that plan-review work being performed off-site by contractor SafeBuilt has caused delays and some rejections tied to code sections the county has not adopted.

Brian (last name not provided), the county planner, said many plan-review rejections cite energy-code items the county did not adopt and other sections that were deleted from the county code. \"They're rejecting some for the energy code, which we didn't adopt, so that's been straightened out. But now, they're rejecting them for not having some things detailed on plans, which they're citing different sections of the code, which we actually deleted those sections out of the code when we adopted it,\" Brian said.

Brian said SafeBuilt reviews are supposed to return a review within five days and have five days to review a resubmittal, per the contract, but multiple rejections and resubmittals have extended turnaround time. He described about 15 permits currently held up in review and said he has been working with SafeBuilt daily to resolve the discrepancies. \"So some of these, you know, they've had 2 or 3 rejections... it's taking time for the people to get what they're asking for,\" Brian said.

The committee was introduced to Matt Rogers, the department's new building inspector. Brian said Rogers works Monday, Wednesday and Friday and has been responsive to calls on off days. \"He's been pretty responsive, and I think he'll be a good inspector,\" Brian said.

Why it matters: slower plan-review turnaround can delay construction starts and increase costs for permit applicants; repeated off-site rejections tied to nonadopted code provisions create extra work for county staff and applicants.

Committee comments and next steps: Members asked whether plan review is performed in person; staff said the reviews are sent to SafeBuilt for off-site review. Brian said that if the arrangement continues to delay projects, the county may consider alternative approaches or resume some plan-review work in-house to reduce backlog. The committee also flagged plan-review performance as a factor to weigh when considering a proposed building-fee schedule change.

No formal action was taken at the meeting beyond placing construction, enforcement and IDPA inspection reports on file; staff said they will return with updates next month or when they have options for addressing the plan-review delays.","LaSalle County staff told the Land Use Committee that off-site plan reviews by contractor SafeBuilt are slowing permit turnaround and rejecting items tied to deleted or nonadopted code sections; staff introduced Matt Rogers as the new building inspector who is handling in-house reviews as needed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247499,"LaSalle County landfill host-fee receipts top $105,000; roadwork planned on East 13th could affect access",331,175000,506000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb&start=175&end=506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212878-d416a1fab24497001f157da95cc46ebb/thumbnail_175000.jpg","/articles/6247499/LaSalle-County/Illinois/LaSalle-County-landfill-host-fee-receipts-top-105000-roadwork-planned-on-East-13th-could-affect-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247499-509744189ee33d5fa3df4338900f4b61/orig.mp4?Expires=1775083389&Signature=SSaAw63LBHqEdQqvlKzKXEybP17MiVrhRlNIScAW63spyr-TRVaVLNpkKCZSl3qp2PB3OwOIvfakxPiGnaOVvElb5VkCvg3se1f8jU4wXu-rHzQkL5wFIYe2wshbh~OQz7BQZCPkt1-trc742zdumvEJkQa8CuBYHUQCJBMgMpDoaCIVhZbGoFFZyn6olTVlGjS3xuD1MI~OgN9fathheQZYpNFaNZ61-twRFwgxayi2ZOop4j1O41hevDkVzKGckqm5PkAoibimeGvKmdfAfQS0OntsmmBZ48RjLy7kUauGTH6UsMW8eHotKfDvOOWii6R12IrMGP-RnOIHJDW~7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County officials reported $105,017.63 in host-fee revenue and 33,338.93 tons of waste subject to the fee for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, county staff said at the Landfill and Land Use Committee meeting.

The figures were presented by Stephanie (last name not provided), who said the total tonnage subject to the host fee for the quarter was 33,338.93 and that the county received $105,017.63 in host-fee payments. \"For first quarter, fiscal year 20 25, total dollars due to the county, was $105,017.63,\" Stephanie said.

Those revenues are calculated at the current host-fee rate of $3.15 per ton for the first 5,000 tons at that rate, staff said. The presentation also noted that a substantial portion of out-of-area waste hauling came from LaSalle County, with only a small portion from surrounding counties.

Why it matters: host-fee revenue supports county oversight of the landfill and factors into budgeting and planning for maintenance, inspections and infrastructure. Changes in tonnage or major road projects that affect access can alter hauling patterns and revenue streams.

County and township officials said road work on East 13th Road — the route that passes the landfill entrance — is under discussion but not finalized. Tim Awesome (title not specified) told the committee Ottawa Township and the LaSalle County Highway Department are actively working on possible resurfacing and widening of East 13th Road. He said prior resurfacing on a back road cost about $1.1 million and estimated East 13th Road work at approximately $830,000 to convert the route into an official 80,000-pound truck route from Route 6 to Dee Bennett. \"But it's gonna come down to dollars and cents, and Adam White will have to make that call later in the year,\" Awesome said, referring to his successor who will decide after budget approvals.

Committee action and oversight: The committee voted to place the county oversight and landfill quarterly report on file. The motion to approve the county oversight and landfill quarterly report was made by Tim (last name not specified) and seconded by Dave Torres; members signified approval by voice vote and the report was placed on file.

Supporting details and trends: Committee discussion noted year-to-date tonnage totals are down about 16% compared with the previous four-year average. Committee members and Republic (the waste services contractor) representatives discussed the tonnage decline, but no operational changes were adopted at the meeting. The presenter also provided a month-by-month breakdown and a comparison between 2024 and 2025 showing a net change of minus $994.98 in one line of the published difference spreadsheet.

Inspection context: County inspectors reported seven landfill inspections in the last quarter with no violations noted. New environmental inspector Emma Gurkets was introduced to the committee; staff said she has trained under existing inspectors and with the EPA Rockford office.

What’s next: If the East 13th Road project proceeds, a final determination on whether to widen and designate it as a heavy-truck route will follow county and township budget decisions; county staff said that decision will come after budgets are finalized and when Adam White assumes the relevant township role.","County staff reported $105,017.63 in host-fee revenue and 33,338.93 tons of waste for the first quarter of fiscal 2025; township and county officials said a planned resurfacing and widening of East 13th Road could change truck routing pending funding decisions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee questions frequency of hand-drawn checks as members approve weekly bills

FEMA BRIC funding cut leaves county without grant to update Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan

County staff expect Assa Grove Flats wind project permit submittal; total permits remain above 10-year average

County staff report plan-review delays under SafeBuilt contract; new building inspector in place

LaSalle County landfill host-fee receipts top $105,000; roadwork planned on East 13th could affect access