LaSalle County Board members are going through millions of dollars in pandemic relief funding requests from local non-profits. At a special meeting yesterday, smaller amounts in the thousands and tens of thousands of dollars were given preliminary approval. They’re for fire department radios, water safety programs, making up for lost fundraising opportunities, and keeping people on payrolls.
Some of the bigger requests are for buildings and will be thought over more. Lighted Way is asking for $4 million to buy and renovate a Heritage Manor nursing home into a school for developmentally disabled children. The Community Food Basketin Ottawa wants $1.4 million for a new building. Board member Brian Dose of Ottawa says the food pantry’s in cramped space.
Randy Freeman of Lostant questions whether some of the amounts have been padded, but he strongly defends $100,000 for the Perfectly Flawed Foundation to help people recover from drug addiction.
The full board may take up the requests at its meeting in July.