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LaSalle County jail reports growth in out‑of‑county housing revenue; medical contract, staffing and telemedicine updates
Summary
Jail officials told the committee they are housing more out‑of‑county inmates, generating roughly $1.1 million in revenue since the program began; medical services contractor Wellpath filed a reorganization bankruptcy but officials said services continue and a new medical bid process will open this year.
LaSalle County jail staff briefed the committee on inmate population trends, out‑of‑county housing revenue and the upcoming medical contract procurement.
Jason (jail official) said the county's average daily population has risen to about 77–82 inmates since Kane County stopped housing inmates with LaSalle, and the facility is seeing increased booking rates (about 12–13 per day recently, versus fewer months earlier). He said many admissions are released in court the next day and that the county will continue accepting out‑of‑county housing contracts. County revenue from housing other counties’ inmates was reported at about $1.1 million since the program began.
Jason also reported that Wellpath, the medical contractor, filed for a reorganization bankruptcy last year; he said the company told county staff the filing is a corporate reorganization that has not affected local services. He noted the current medical contract expires Dec. 1 and that the county plans to open a bid process with county staff (Pat Herman) starting in April. Jason cautioned that previously Wellpath was the only bidder and that competition is uncertain.
Medical staffing details: the jail currently has nursing coverage for 16 hours per day; overnight there is not an on‑site nurse. Wellpath recently implemented a telehealth/telemedicine service that provides 24‑hour remote access to medical staff and includes mental‑health telehealth; supervisors can place an inmate on a video call for assessment to determine whether hospital referral is needed. Mental‑health staffing includes one full‑time person at 40 hours/week and a newly filled part‑time position (16 hours) to cover days off and group sessions.
Committee members asked whether any issues would require the county to stop out‑of‑county housing; sheriff and jail officials said they intend to continue and possibly expand the program. The jail plans to continue billing counties such as Cook County (January billing cited at roughly $15,500) and is monitoring trends in federal referrals that could increase housing demand.
Officials said they will start the medical bid process in April and that staff will work with county legal and procurement to solicit proposals; no formal procurement decision was taken at the meeting.
The committee also received brief construction and staffing updates: fence work at the jail is nearing completion; recruitment for deputies is underway with several recruits in the academy and more planned for upcoming academy classes.
