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Officials press for action on courthouse transformers and long-delayed generator permit in Ottawa
Summary
Board members said transformers stored in the downtown Ottawa courthouse basement are a safety risk and criticized slow progress on a previously approved generator resolution; members urged engineering review, formal notice to the company storing transformers and faster permit follow-up with the city and historical commission.
LaSalle County board members pressed staff and the city to move more quickly to remove electrical transformers from the basement of the downtown Ottawa courthouse and to install a backup generator after the topic reemerged April 20.
Board members characterized the transformers as a safety hazard that has been on county radar for years. Miss Nikki told colleagues the storage presents a “ticking time bomb” and that insurance and risk managers support removal. Members revisited a June 2024 resolution (Resolution 25-63) that authorized staff to pursue permits for a backup generator at 119 W. Madison St., noting the county has not secured needed approvals and that the historical-commission review and city building-permit interactions have stalled progress.
Several members proposed practical remedies: hire an independent electrical engineer to assess vulnerability and liability, give formal written notice to Amaran (the entity responsible for the equipment) to remove transformers, and re-examine alternative generator locations (a south-side pad, underground installation or a city-owned parking lot previously considered). Some members said they would rather proceed with the project and accept potential legal consequences than risk a catastrophic outage or occupant safety event.
Property and facilities staff reported they recently submitted permit materials and have asked the city building official to review updated designs to 2024 building codes and the 2023 NEC; staff expect a turnaround of approximately two weeks on the initial review. The board directed property staff to continue coordinating with the city’s building official and the historical commission and to return with firm next steps and scheduling for transformer removal and generator permitting.
No formal vote was taken at the meeting beyond instructions to staff; members said they will press the issue until either the generator permit is approved or the transformers are removed.
