The LaSalle County Public Safety Committee discussed the county jail’s medical services and potential contract options, with staff urging a structured request-for-proposal process supported by a consultant experienced in jail medical procurement.
Staff said Wellpath, the county’s current provider, reported nurse wages in the range discussed during the meeting (roughly $88,000–$98,000 per full‑time nurse), and that a medical director and an overseeing jail physician are typically required and not usually bundled in a simple hourly wage line. Staff identified one county that runs nursing staff as county employees but contracts a medical director (paid about $125,000 a year) and an additional physician to oversee orders; that county’s medical budget was described as nearly $1.9 million.
Given the complexity of clinical staffing, accreditation and liability, staff recommended hiring a procurement consultant with jail‑medical expertise to prepare and manage an RFP. The consultant cited by staff told them a thorough RFP and review typically costs between $25,000 and $35,000; the consultant can draft medical‑policy language, manage site visits and review billing to identify unfulfilled contract obligations. Staff and an insurance‑trust contact said outside review had in some cases recovered six-figure sums when vendors had not met contract terms.
Staff said they are negotiating an MOU with NorthCentral (a community provider) to supply weekend secondary services that would allow some on-site behavioral-health assessments and reduce unnecessary emergency-room transports. Committee members did not take final action at the meeting; staff said the medical contract and consultant engagement would return to the committee for further direction.