LaSalle County trust committee recommends board consider McLean County autopsy agreement, approves insurance renewals and payments

The LaSalle County Trust Committee on Wednesday recommended that the full county board consider a proposed contract with McLean County that would formalize use of McLean’s coroner facility and include liability indemnification for the host facility.

Rich, the presenter on the item, told the committee LaSalle does not have a local autopsy center and has used McLean County’s coroner facility; after recent Illinois legislation expanded indemnification protections for forensic pathologists, McLean and other regional facilities began asking for a signed contract and additional liability indemnification before accepting cases. "They're asking for ... a signed contract, but also ... liability indemnification," Rich said, and he said he had forwarded the draft documents to Pat Herman for review.

Committee legal and insurance advisors discussed the indemnification language and coverage. An insurance advisor told the committee that county insurance through ICRMT should cover the exposure, and advised that the trust committee could recommend the agreement to the full county board for final consideration. "You're covered," the advisor said when asked about whether the county would be exposed by the indemnification clause.

On that basis the committee moved to recommend that the full LaSalle County Board consider approving the McLean County agreement and the motion carried after an affirmative voice vote. Members noted that, if and when the agreement reaches the full board, the board could still seek negotiated changes to contract language or signature authority shown on the draft's signature page.

In the meeting’s insurance business, staff from ICRMT reviewed premium changes for the trust fund. Presenters said overall ICRMT costs for the county were up roughly 10–11% year over year: primary liability increased about 6%, an umbrella liability layer that was split out for the current period rose substantially (presenters said the umbrella rose roughly 26%), cyber coverage increased about 25% largely because of higher revenues reported on the county’s cyber application, and property rates improved slightly (about a 1% decrease). Presenters cited large jury awards in the region and prior claims (including an auto-accident settlement described as totaling roughly $5.5 million) as drivers for higher limits and the county’s purchase of an additional $5 million in umbrella coverage to bring total excess capacity to about $10 million.

The committee discussed the budget impact; members noted the current budget line showed approximately $1.4 million and asked staff to retain flexibility to adjust. On a motion by Savage, seconded by Billard, the committee approved the recommended insurance renewal (roll-call votes recorded as aye) and then approved several requisitions and payments by roll call: CCMSI (claim administration) for $6,937.50; a $315 claim-administration runoff payment for October; the first installment to New Zip Consulting for $8,900 (listed as May 2026 installment); Marsh McLennan for a $2,550 annual crime premium; and the annual flood insurance premium. Each requisition was moved and seconded and carried on recorded votes.

The committee also received a safety report that outlined 2026 training topics, voluntary CPR classes for some county employees, required sheriff’s certifications, an update to an open-flame/candle policy for county offices, and outreach on winter-driving and fire-life-safety remediation at county facilities. New staff introductions (including Josh McGrath and Wes Linton) were noted.

The meeting closed with the chair informing members that Tom Walsh had died the previous night; the committee set the next meeting for Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned.

Votes and formal actions recorded at the meeting: the committee voted to recommend the McLean County agreement be considered by the full county board; approved placing reports on file; approved the insurance renewal; and approved requisitions to CCMSI ($6,937.50), a $315 claim-administration runoff, New Zip Consulting ($8,900), Marsh McLennan ($2,550), and the annual flood insurance premium.