[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",5984897,"mediaKeyId","5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62","parentId",5788872,"title","County staff ask that $1.3 million radio upgrade be added to 2026 public‑safety budget after repeated coverage failures","audioSeconds",6602,"startMs",153000,"endMs",6755000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62&start=153&end=6755","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62/thumbnail_153000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5984897/LaSalle-County/Illinois/County-staff-ask-that-13-million-radio-upgrade-be-added-to-2026-publicsafety-budget-after-repeated-coverage-failures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984897-d8bbc9d4bea9e41de7d6c570bd9a099a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182437&Signature=bGdyW9doCWmkkHp7eWmyDIh14PCfbmLNfUS5S0GSjiMVNR-y0Lyc1QOpzFvT1UuiOiAdxSluPrClnRQpcwjUCi0Y2KuMDdvwoSBcOYFwuupuobh795HlrQ1lg5Kay7NfJ7ddLhqpx2eArAVj41FiPlQM8R~JPugFmVTWFVVaAz31Wtsp77GnPrZ5Rsh39OwNtWEzZ26HdcBBeOm4Ah8cGtb53emIjL-K5aOo-zmYS8xFqgUNkJpuCAvnxpzgxRBZjTQOLB0wWOuBTGnITrBw4m2KZl10ZH2oDfVO6Ux4W4Uds1~51uecFokN9Q7Uh-P3cWwopg7Zg4xrZ3rIx3IBxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LaSalle County, IL","date","2025-09-15T16:23:35Z","article","LaSalle County public‑safety and dispatch staff asked the Finance Committee on Sept. 15 to include about $1.3 million in next year’s public‑safety budget to replace the county’s aging portable and mobile radios after recent incidents in which deputies could not reach dispatch.

The request follows multiple incidents this spring and summer in which officers struggled to call for backup or report their locations because of poor reception. \"When they cannot reach dispatch, their chances of having a catastrophic incident increase exponentially,\" a dispatch representative told the committee. She summarized the rationale this way: \"The expense to replace the outdated equipment is well worth the investment knowing that we are saving the lives of our deputies and bringing them home to their families at the end of the day.\"

County staff and Motorola Solutions representatives demonstrated an Apex Next model and said the radios combine a P25 radio core with LTE capability so a radio that cannot reach a radio tower will attempt an LTE path back into the county talk groups. Motorola described features that county staff said improved coverage in field tests: automatic switching to LTE or Wi‑Fi when conventional radio coverage failed, an integrated location display, over‑the‑air programming, and so‑called \"talk assist\" voice commands that let a user change settings without looking down at a device. \"This radio is smart enough that if it can sense and detect that it doesn't have the right radio coverage, it will automatically look for other ways that it can find that coverage through LTE or through Wi Fi,\" a Motorola presenter said in the meeting.

What happened: County staff recounted three episodes in which deputies or corporals were engaged in high‑risk stops or pursuits and had difficulty contacting dispatch or requesting backup because of poor reception. In those incidents officers reported being unable to reach dispatch to say where they were; one search turned up a loaded handgun and another located a knife on a person detained, the dispatch representative said.

What staff tested: Motorola loaned three different radio models for about six weeks and the county logged reception and clarity. Dispatch staff reported the Apex Next radios reached dispatch about 95% of the time in test areas where the current radios had little or no usable reception.

Cost and scope: County staff presented a vendor quote that lists portables, mobiles and programming/installation totaling $1,227,144.83; staff rounded that figure and recommended budgeting $1.3 million to allow for contingencies and potential additional units. The quote in committee identified 57 portables as part of the order; staff noted that squad installations and accessories (holsters, chargers, batteries) add to the work and avoid later rework. A seven‑year manufacturer warranty was cited.

Ongoing costs and interoperability: County staff and Motorola said the Apex radios can operate on the statewide Starcom P25 network and also use FirstNet LTE as a fallback. Committee members asked about monthly network fees; Motorola gave published Starcom/FirstNet rate estimates in the meeting that roughly matched the county's current monthly spend per unit (staff cited approximately $46 per portable and about $23 per vehicle as published rates). Staff said the county already pays monthly access fees and that switching vendors or networks would change who the county pays but not eliminate monthly network costs.

Procurement and vendor roles: Motorola Solutions representatives said the Apex Next radios are available through an Illinois state contract (Starcom procurement vehicle). The county attorney told the committee that purchases under an approved state contract do not require a county RFP, though the county may elect to bid if it prefers. The county's current installer for car installs, Nicholson 1 Radio, would perform vehicle installations, staff said.

Committee action and next steps: The Finance Committee did not vote to buy radios at the Sept. 15 meeting (the radio purchase was not on the meeting agenda). Committee members directed staff to include the $1.3 million estimate in the 2026 public‑safety budget materials and to bring back any final pricing or shared‑purchase opportunities with nearby agencies before final budget action. The county also discussed exploring bulk purchases with neighboring agencies to reduce unit costs.

Why it matters: County staff said most of the sheriff's office portables and mobile radios are 15–27 years old and lack modern fallback paths. Staff framed the upgrade as a public‑safety priority tied to officers' ability to call for help, provide location, and coordinate multi‑agency responses.

What remains open: Final purchased models, the exact number of units, and whether the county ultimately acquires Starcom service for all units remain to be decided as the item moves through the 2026 budgeting process. The county attorney said the state contract is a permissible procurement route but the committee may still choose to request bids. The committee asked staff to return with maps of current and proposed coverage and any revised cost estimates before final budget votes.

Sources: County Finance Committee meeting transcript, Sept. 15, 2025; vendor representatives from Motorola Solutions; county dispatch staff.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Budget 9-15-2025","oneSentenceSummary","LaSalle County public‑safety and dispatch staff asked the Finance Committee on Sept. 15 to include about $1.3 million in next year’s public‑safety budget to replace the county’s aging portable and mobile radios after recent incidents in which deputies could not reach dispatch.","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},5984882,"Committee reviews public‑safety capital requests including command bus, patrol vehicles, jail AC and parking projects",3157,3903000,7060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62&start=3903&end=7060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62/thumbnail_3903000.jpg","/articles/5984882/LaSalle-County/Illinois/Committee-reviews-publicsafety-capital-requests-including-command-bus-patrol-vehicles-jail-AC-and-parking-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984882-a566afa37f3180b944a303e86bfcb723/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182437&Signature=OIHfP07GoJrNRZXMTFd5ZFcgNdRb1u0Bgg-1CEGtgDG7-3sr57b72i4G8YFLhL49VXA5J~ul04ShphfhtjbqyrllOD~loyOyn15DnMT2chW5Il9rDaGRJUVVmnQ8x9ivxbKKXW8ESu4eGabVi9GNBcXlhFn6r~CmjDtzK5HMzRqdVwTCrbEai1t86~JULU6yx0SnI-ZDHPoqynAoZ7lFR54ilkoXZxAU8kodLJs6fKSkqwQYVo0Fc0fbJf7U4~2m-I4UutwMiqs4k4UnfzvCobammOE6xKnstUVzUwyN0EPHK0-g3Bm1gEFmXp5nKeIEwytjCmdsQbWMMrmn7XNAnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Committee on Sept. 15 reviewed several capital projects proposed to be paid from public‑safety or capital funds, including the final payment on a command bus, replacement/outfitting of patrol vehicles, a proposed move of jail air‑conditioning units to the roof, and parking lot repaving at the EMA and forensic‑center sites.

Major capital items and committee discussion:
- Command bus: Staff reported a remaining balance on the command bus project of about $789,000; project managers noted an additional $10,000 of wiring and communications work may be billed this year. The committee discussed whether the remainder should be transferred from public‑safety funds.
- Patrol vehicles and outfitting: A packet line lists three trucks and six SUVs (replacement/outfitting) and the committee saw an aggregated estimate of about $600,000 to purchase and fully outfit the vehicles, including graphics, dash cams and in‑car equipment.
- Jail air conditioning: County staff presented an early estimate of $1.5 million to relocate and roof‑mount the jail air‑conditioning units and add required structural supports; an architect is working on more detailed bids and staff said they expect a firmer number before finalizing the budget.
- Parking lots and site work: Estimates provided were approximately $46,030 for the EMA parking lot and $84,003.30 for the forensic‑center parking lot; staff said bids may be combined to seek a lower price.
- Courthouse security: The committee agreed to move $21,000 for three metal detectors from the sheriff/general fund to the public‑safety budget line for building security and panic‑button maintenance; the metal detectors will be used in courthouse screening and are covered by a three‑year warranty, staff said.

Fund status and transfer discussion: Staff presented public‑safety fund totals: revenues projected at roughly $4.86 million and proposed public‑safety expenditures totaling about $7.98 million, leaving a projected reserve balance reported at approximately $14.14 million before proposed transfers. Committee members discussed a planned transfer of $3.5 million to the general fund (a transfer proposed by county leadership in prior cycles) and noted the committee can adjust the transfer amount during final budget deliberations.

Next steps: More detailed bids, architectural estimates for the jail HVAC work and confirmation of contractor change‑order language will be brought back to the committee before any final transfers or spending approvals; the committee tentatively supported including the items in the 2026 budget materials but did not authorize expenditures at the Sept. 15 meeting.","Finance Committee reviewed a range of public‑safety capital projects proposed for 2026: remainder of command bus payment, outfitting and replacement of patrol vehicles (~$600,000), a projected $1.5 million plan to move jail HVAC units to the roof, and two parking‑lot projects estimated at roughly $46,000 and $84,000.",{"_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},5984887,"Sheriff and corrections officials seek funding for medical, training and peer‑support services; report $576,000 in inmate‑housing revenue",913,4407000,5320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62&start=4407&end=5320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62/thumbnail_4407000.jpg","/articles/5984887/LaSalle-County/Illinois/Sheriff-and-corrections-officials-seek-funding-for-medical-training-and-peersupport-services-report-576000-in-inmatehousing-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984887-db62a7ab20635ddf937ed3bff61a3ad1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182437&Signature=XPEP-ByNIlGMViWhVFzn0Nk9VJCO2o0JTf6X3gf5iT4~DE0MxPSbgSzZHwYqc40ckpU2bbdrHI99p0f8gd6s1Akf3muW-4l~AWENjL7puZCYHuzpjagTKwUX0h9oOvRDnWLGro-gB9GN9JabYhth2hXGXiUcqBV0-HDfm99uSvkiFMg-cYnTgZJYqV7YGA0rMz69ynGdEnjHz1FwakV8ptvzfWGPvIdFgq6TM4rR8-130Tr9a9bCjT7uRpUeVucZpnUIpmGWlh1nMH~zBd19999nmisdxOW1OWy3aiJmSXEGz1nBpPgzB7zXm-FsFrzzWBqd8JfJ0Wo6z0~-aQwKoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff's office and corrections officials presented their proposed 2026 budgets to the Finance Committee on Sept. 15 and asked the committee to review requested increases for inmate medical and dental services, academy training for correctional staff, and new peer‑support staffing tied to the jail’s recovery programming.

Medical and dental: Corrections leadership told the committee the county’s inmate medical contract covers basic medical care and that the county is searching for a dental provider after a prior dental contract lapsed. County staff said they budgeted an additional amount (discussed in committee) to cover dental exams and emergency dental extractions; the county asked that money remain available until a new vendor is under contract.

Accreditation and audit timing: The jail is in an accreditation year and must pay audit fees in advance of the audit visit. Staffing and correctional‑training costs include several new hires and academy slots; staff said they budgeted to send recruits and supervisors to state‑required training and to pay the advance portion of the accreditation audit to meet the auditor’s schedule.

Peer support and recovery programming: Jail officials described a peer support specialist role (a staffer with lived‑experience who provides outreach to people reentering the community). The sheriff’s staff requested a part‑time, no‑benefits peer support position budgeted at $20,000 and said a $10,000 grant is available to offset half of that cost. Officials asked the committee to create a visible line in the budget showing the grant offset so reimbursements are traceable.

Inmate housing revenue: Corrections leadership reported substantial out‑of‑county inmate housing revenue: roughly $576,000 collected since Dec. 1, with the figure expected to exceed $600,000 by November. Officials said such revenues have totaled about $1.5 million over the past two years and are recorded in the general fund.

Other notes: Corrections staff asked for replacement of aging jail equipment and noted increased inmate supplies, uniforms and maintenance costs tied to increased bookings and recent hiring. The committee requested a vendor representative attend the next meeting to explain hidden or variable line items in the inmate medical contract.

Committee actions and next steps: Committee members asked staff to provide documentation about the dental procurement timeline and to invite the medical contractor to explain contract costs at the next committee meeting; no budget votes were taken on Sept. 15.","The sheriff's office and jail presented 2026 budget requests that include increases for inmate medical/dental services, correctional training, accreditation fees and a partly grant‑funded peer‑support worker. Officials also reported roughly $576,000 in inmate‑housing revenue received since Dec. 1.",{"_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},5984892,"County clerk outlines 2026 election budget as two elections drive higher ballot and system costs",329,2731000,3060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62&start=2731&end=3060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5788872-9a8f67f6679070cbbccc487f2919cd62/thumbnail_2731000.jpg","/articles/5984892/LaSalle-County/Illinois/County-clerk-outlines-2026-election-budget-as-two-elections-drive-higher-ballot-and-system-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984892-4810ecd4402340f0f914bed19c504c27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182437&Signature=FY3dnLF0to3YyWsBFr3nEjf~cJKHPTGrpYesx832pBiJEIPIbSjpN9hLRfCo4cfAFlc~ctAL7HtNpIqWbAzw5jDrxMItqOsrq43gawpjsNTVjRq2n0qya~uLEJx~abvrJJTj5jEQ8nkbQPIepO5yOMD9ZSpraIgwv2yCBGl3vvpLLZPHmrngcl19EpTIE20jarJbSTWuTP5wqDCSP~6IMavYsoVNvSYc2YOTOKEk6jZfxLEORIF3nxXDZ8BsGgVkIfUoiLMg~pIaHH1PPiaabFQoCf1DrThIsHvE82XZJYRupnRgOL9VcnhYRjDWKnQn10j0Pl8JsxvNvGcIs-EzTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer, the county clerk, presented the county‑clerk and elections budgets to the Finance Committee on Sept. 15 and said costs for 2026 will be higher because of two scheduled elections and new recurring software and maintenance fees.

The clerk told the committee the general fund request for the clerk's office is $425,513 (about a 4.25% increase over current year projections). For the elections department, staff proposed a budget that reflects two elections in 2026 and new annual licensing and maintenance fees tied to recently purchased systems.

Key items presented:
- New voter‑registration platform and poll books: The clerk said the vendor contract includes annual fees starting Jan. 1, 2026. She reported the poll books' annual cost at roughly $31,500 and the voter‑registration system at roughly $68,000 per year under the multi‑year contract described in the meeting. The clerk said the initial system purchase cost will be offset by a state grant reimbursement expected next summer; the clerk expects to submit for reimbursement and receive payment the following summer.
- Ballot and printing costs: Professional services and ballot printing are up because of two elections next year; the clerk said this also drives higher temporary staffing and overtime needs.
- Election‑judge pay: The clerk budgeted for increased judge pay (presented to the committee as $300 base pay per judge) and a supervisor pay increase mentioned in committee materials. The clerk said final confirmation of those pay rates would be completed at the committee review the following day.
- Equipment and maintenance: Annual firmware and maintenance fees for tabulators and ballot‑marking devices begin in 2026; the clerk included a maintenance line for tabulator service and for a new EMS license that begins in 2026 with an annual cost shown in the packet.

Revenue and grant notes: The clerk said the initial VR system purchase will be reimbursed by a grant (the clerk estimated a $98,000 reimbursement for the VR system cost and said a portion will be received the following summer). The clerk also noted potential reductions in postage and voter‑mail costs after systems go live because some mail and notices will shift to electronic delivery.

Committee reaction and next steps: Committee members asked for confirmation of a few contract terms and for the clerk to coordinate with other departments on shared postage and mailing lines. The clerk said she would confirm the exact license and recurring cost lines and return with any amendments at the next committee meeting. No formal vote was taken on the budgets at the Sept. 15 session; the materials were presented for review and inclusion in the 2026 budget process.

Sources: Finance Committee transcript, Sept. 15, 2025; county clerk presentation materials provided at the meeting.","County Clerk presented the 2026 budget request for elections and clerk operations, citing two scheduled elections next year, an increase in election‑judge pay and new recurring costs for a vendor‑hosted voter registration system and poll books beginning Jan. 1, 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County staff ask that $1.3 million radio upgrade be added to 2026 public‑safety budget after repeated coverage failures

Committee reviews public‑safety capital requests including command bus, patrol vehicles, jail AC and parking projects

Sheriff and corrections officials seek funding for medical, training and peer‑support services; report $576,000 in inmate‑housing revenue

County clerk outlines 2026 election budget as two elections drive higher ballot and system costs