The LaSalle County Board approved two nursing-home measures on Oct. 9: a contract with Partners In Hope LLC to provide psychological services and a contract (through a medical practice) to appoint a medical director for the LaSalle County Nursing Home.

The resolution authorizing Partners In Hope covers psychiatric evaluations, psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, participation in behavioral meetings, and documentation for inclusion in resident medical records. Board materials and discussion state the services would be provided without a direct county charge to LaSalle County Nursing Home; services would be billed to residents' insurance or otherwise to residents (private pay), Medicaid or Medicare as applicable. The agreement provides that families would be involved and can be present for evaluations; the state's attorney reviewed the agreement language but board members asked for clarity on professional-liability insurance limits in the contract. The board approved the agreement and noted that the nursing home administrator had performed a vendor search.

Separately, the board approved a professional-services agreement to appoint Dr. Bart Maguire (through T4 Medical PLLC) as medical director for the nursing home under terms beginning Dec. 1, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2027, at $5,000 per month. Board members discussed that prior medical-director coverage did not consistently meet response expectations for critical-value calls and that many nursing homes use dedicated provider groups that supply nurse practitioners and physicians experienced in long-term care.

Both resolutions passed by roll call vote; board members said the agreements were intended to improve clinical oversight and access to psychiatric and medical services at the facility.