[{"_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",6213520,"mediaKeyId","3676494-d2859d5a227a728f87998823c1089422","parentId",3676494,"title","Ottawa Vet Clinic’s planned closure prompts countywide animal‑control planning; committee discusses short‑ and long‑term options","audioSeconds",464,"startMs",2029000,"endMs",2493000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3676494-d2859d5a227a728f87998823c1089422&start=2029&end=2493","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3676494-d2859d5a227a728f87998823c1089422/thumbnail_2029000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6213520/LaSalle-County/Illinois/Ottawa-Vet-Clinics-planned-closure-prompts-countywide-animalcontrol-planning-committee-discusses-short-and-longterm-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213520-a370b7e0bebdcc6bc734da6d561d83c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183005&Signature=WL3VtcnCQvM8~isUgWHLNNyRyLdCIqKGLAO2LT~xyrVxtakcxWY--D4dIHFp1vLFkayFYK3xrNuZNb2DW-qDla-S754Y76vQi6~jzf9bU7484fzjygcG8CAJZbNE85rPO5fo1Oq~QPv~GWY4V-Srx4AyLf14gQUOmzXMMldKbhXBI4URishIC0UhJ3DtBhUaDfGr1wRSqICae8iNZVbGC8W-x76aK8XwoIiqrFK-WKPb8t2VklkzQP3-lVV-p7tKPDUThTj8bzq7yvLDoOwiFVnZd8AOz3XAZoeWREdgra-eUoEbB9nVlGIw1GopNlRfcpCsvrqCAnhaJyC5fqqFtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LaSalle County, IL","date","2025-06-05T13:06:32Z","article","Ottawa Police and LaSalle County animal‑control officials told the Public Safety Committee that Ottawa Vet Clinic will close and that the county must find alternative housing for stray and quarantine animals before the clinic stops accepting county animals.

Mike Cheatham, chief of police for the Ottawa Police Department, said the clinic on Clinton Street notified the city that it would close, removing a long‑used local partner that handled strays and quarantine kennels. “We were able to find a vet clinic who was willing to accept our strays… we’ve come to find just late last week, notification from them that they’ll be closing,” Cheatham said.

Captain Kyle Boris of the Ottawa Police Department said he spoke with the building owner and reported the owner told him July 1 would be the clinic’s last day of operation and that the owner planned to sell the building; Boris added that June 20 is the last day Ottawa PD or the county can take animals to that clinic. “July 1 is the last day that they will be in operation… The June 20 is the last day that we at Ottawa PD or even the county can take any animals to them,” Boris said.

Officials said the closure will affect multiple municipalities; Ottawa Vet Clinic currently accepts animals from Ottawa, Peru, Marseilles, Utica and other nearby jurisdictions. Chief Cheatham said Ottawa typically bills the clinic monthly, generally about $50 per animal per stay, and that the number of stray calls varies seasonally — with summer months producing more intake. Committee members were told Ottawa Vet Clinic has about 10 runs (kennels) and that there have been recent days when the clinic was full.

County and municipal speakers, as well as representatives from local animal‑welfare providers, discussed short‑term and long‑term responses. Chris (representing IVAR) said local providers already operate near capacity: “She could build 50 more kennels and still have the same issue,” Chris said, describing persistent intake pressure. The committee discussed options including formalizing agreements with nearby clinics, leasing or purchasing an existing facility (several buildings near Ottawa were noted as candidates), expanding county facilities or creating a joint county‑city shelter. One speaker who operates a local shelter described current payroll and operating costs and urged that compensation for labor be part of any plan.

Committee members proposed forming a task force or convening key stakeholders to develop an immediate plan and longer term strategy. Ray said liability, staffing and intergovernmental agreements must be examined before the county commits to leasing or operating a facility. “I think there’s some questions that need to be answered just to protect the county,” he said.

Short‑term options discussed included: formalizing a written agreement with an existing provider to house a small number of animals; using temporary holding kennels for up to 24 hours while officers post lost‑pet notices; and exploring rental or lease arrangements with existing clinics or private facilities. Long‑term options discussed included leasing the Ottawa Vet Clinic building, purchasing or leasing another facility, or building a county‑owned shelter — with officials estimating a multi‑year timeline for constructing new facilities.

Officials said staffing would be a significant constraint. Animal‑control staff said the unit is understaffed and already working overtime; any leased or county‑operated facility would require dedicated staff for intake, cleaning, feeding and administrative duties. Committee members and speakers agreed that a short‑term working group should be formed immediately to build options for the committee and county board to consider before the clinic stops accepting animals.

The committee accepted the animal control report and approved routine bills at the meeting. No formal decision to lease or purchase a facility was made; the discussion concluded with agreement to meet again and to convene key stakeholders for a planning session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety 6-5-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ottawa Vet Clinic’s pending closure and planned sale of its building leaves Ottawa and other LaSalle County municipalities without a primary facility for stray and quarantine animals, prompting county officials to seek short‑term holding solutions and to consider longer term options including leases or a new shelter.","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},6213525,"LaSalle County opens bids for sheriff’s patrol vehicles; hybrid option meets specs, award pending review",485,587000,1072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3676494-d2859d5a227a728f87998823c1089422&start=587&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3676494-d2859d5a227a728f87998823c1089422/thumbnail_587000.jpg","/articles/6213525/LaSalle-County/Illinois/LaSalle-County-opens-bids-for-sheriffs-patrol-vehicles-hybrid-option-meets-specs-award-pending-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213525-dc8e580c36b4d653bed80e47dd4cce79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183005&Signature=WOUtciDrLx0zPsVuavq9l9GG2UbbmQnxXgZ1lO3inYH0oh~TFCpcQzszufMdtUyAUOFWRnaTimgB2cDWmcx24Z70mnSw0N9b7W7du4ZpjI2rf39aV~Uwt02aiL-pP00qDlfJnvZ~H6SRMPzsyW8DinT9bPJOQOLBZ4WS6W43L~zK4W1Mf7fpyNcZpXwguoxJyWK0WvzgggD5RKKwIhkOlf9SJLt2edyL-F08aUfGKcjNkobhOJzWUKb~2Koo0lupdtTINjiANYgQkaUa-t3tFa4WBVbxHyEeZ9QQy6ZIoYgp49CtK6a2SDtStsgGNbrSqy8~Aq0eQgQOHgwvHAm6nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County’s Public Safety Committee opened and reviewed bids from several dealers for six 2025 Ford police interceptors and two Ford F‑150 trucks (and alternative Explorer options), with several vendors submitting both hybrid and non‑hybrid powertrain options.

Shimmer Ford of Peru submitted a per‑vehicle price for a 2025 interceptor of $44,277.40 plus document fees, for a delivered “out‑the‑door” per‑vehicle price of $44,645.10 and a six‑vehicle total of $267,870.60. Other bids came from dealers identified in the packet and read at the meeting, including submissions described as coming from dealerships in Peoria, Detroit and Princeton.

Committee members noted that some dealer submissions included alternate engine options that did not match the county’s requested specifications. “Option 1 was within specs,” the procurement reader said of Shimmer Ford’s hybrid option. The committee agreed it would ignore non‑conforming alternatives (described in the bids as “option 2”) and focus on proposals that met the bid specifications.

Tom asked whether the county had sent a specific specification to bidders; staff confirmed the bid package included the hybrid motor specification the county desired. “We gave them specs, what we wanted,” staff said. Committee members asked that staff and the state’s attorney verify compliance with specifications before awarding any contract.

The committee did not award the contract at the meeting; staff said the state's attorney will review the bids and confirm which proposals meet the county’s specifications before the county proceeds with any award.

Committee members also asked whether the procurement could split awards if different vendors offered better pricing on vehicles versus trucks; staff said that would depend on how the RFP was written and the way vendor packages were submitted. The committee put the procurement through the typical review process and deferred final action pending legal and specification checks.

The vehicles discussion proceeded alongside other sheriff’s office purchases; the committee will return to formal award and contract details after the state’s attorney and county staff complete their review.","The committee opened multiple bids for six 2025 Ford police interceptors and two F‑150 trucks/Explorers. Bids included hybrid and non‑hybrid powertrains; the committee identified one hybrid option that matched the county’s specifications and said the county’s state's attorney will review bids before any award.",{"_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},6213530,"LaSalle County committee backs rapid‑alert system and courtroom panic buttons, recommends finance approval",390,86000,476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3676494-d2859d5a227a728f87998823c1089422&start=86&end=476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3676494-d2859d5a227a728f87998823c1089422/thumbnail_86000.jpg","/articles/6213530/LaSalle-County/Illinois/LaSalle-County-committee-backs-rapidalert-system-and-courtroom-panic-buttons-recommends-finance-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213530-ba37bc051394af99e14e6de3b49864b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183005&Signature=MFgoxft0Xwywgyke1EDxKkCnWoicRoWq4lnkpPqoKeG5YvtMOcW1GMAPv56tSxzdqWksCeiYPgJjMOaQHoVDtdzi1wCmoWR36NayYsi9djYW6~pcTNp9F4AJoZplq~hnkmgAK1lGuib7pow-35D9n5n5r0tjZOmzLCQHROvdCKnhn9Hb1Twbp63hgWgA-L302eySAFaWs9BS8s1-VEb7CP-gsB8svg5MXB7oC4WjoJbNX8MvBXPInVbS2I75fnQibz-yrzKlhP1BDbDEY1mRi48LYIjOG4gY4ZZx-8cIpKmXNVgaD3Yqu7Dug62qNJIPddjTgGllnIPqS5ZfqzMD6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LaSalle County’s Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the finance committee approve two one‑time purchases to expand rapid alerts and panic‑button coverage in county buildings.

The committee approved setting up an AlertSense rapid response console for dispatch and the EMA office at a presented price of $5,336, and approved $2,232 to install dedicated panic buttons in judge’s rooms and courtrooms. Joanne moved to recommend the purchases to finance and Ray seconded; the motion carried on a voice and later roll‑call vote.

The purchases are intended to provide “one‑touch” emergency alerts that do not require entry of a code and that ask for user confirmation to reduce accidental activations. The system presenter described the AlertSense unit as able to preset incident types — for example, tornado or active shooter — and to integrate with the county’s existing phone alerts. “I was told it’s a one‑time fee,” the sheriff’s office representative said during the discussion.

Committee members pressed for written backup. “Just as long as they have backup instead of just this — a contractor agreement or an invoice to support these numbers, that it’s only a one‑time fee and it’s not an annual fee,” Craig said. The presenter said he would work on getting documentation.

IT compatibility was also discussed. Committee members worried whether the system would work across Windows and Apple devices; county IT said the rapid‑alert signals now cross to Mac systems and that existing active‑shooter pull stations were fixed to communicate with Apple computers.

Committee members asked that staff obtain vendor contracts or invoices showing the purchase is a single, non‑recurring cost and to clarify any maintenance or support terms. Ray asked whether the county would receive any maintenance checks to ensure the system continued to function; the presenter said he would seek that information.

The committee’s action was a recommendation to finance for purchase approval; no final procurement contract was signed at the meeting. Staff said IT would perform the installations if approved and would coordinate integration with the county’s AlertSense phone notifications.

The committee moved on to other sheriff’s office procurement and animal control items after the vote.","The LaSalle County Public Safety Committee voted to recommend that the finance committee approve one‑time purchases for an AlertSense rapid response alert system and courtroom panic buttons, asking staff to obtain vendor documentation to confirm there are no recurring fees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ottawa Vet Clinic’s planned closure prompts countywide animal‑control planning; committee discusses short‑ and long‑term options

LaSalle County opens bids for sheriff’s patrol vehicles; hybrid option meets specs, award pending review

LaSalle County committee backs rapid‑alert system and courtroom panic buttons, recommends finance approval