LaSalle County’s legal counsel advised the board to require a certificate of insurance and an additional-insured endorsement from any group that formally requests use of the courthouse lawns.

A board member asked whether the county should request a certificate of insurance for events on the South and North Lawns. "You should get a certificate of insurance. The entity should name the county as an additional insured that should be identified on the certificate. They should attach additional insured endorsement," counsel said, recommending that endorsements not require a separate written agreement unless the county already has one.

Board members noted that the county posts a packet and sample forms on the website for groups that request use of county property. Staff said applicants already must provide a completed packet with insurance information when they request space.

Counsel also addressed spontaneous gatherings. He said whether the county faces liability for an injury that occurs during an unpermitted rally or a transient use of the lawn depends on the facts, including whether the county knew about the event and whether county actions were negligent. Counsel said the county’s insurance carrier would typically defend the county if it were named as a defendant, subject to the carrier’s rights and defenses.

Ending: Staff will direct permit requests to the existing packet on the county website and will require the certificate and endorsement as part of the application; counsel noted that unpermitted, transient gatherings present a factual liability question but that coverage would normally be addressed through the county’s carrier.