Editing LaSalle County, Illinois

{{Short description|County in Illinois, United States}}
{{Redirect|LaSalle County|the county in Texas|La Salle County, Texas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = LaSalle County
| state              = Illinois
| seal               =
| founded year       = 1831
| founded date       = January 15
| seat wl            = Ottawa
| largest city wl    = Ottawa
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1148
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1135
| area_water_sq_mi   = 13
| area percentage    = 1.1
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_total   = 109658
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| population_est     = 108309 {{decrease}}
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| time zone          = Central
| district           = 14th
| district2          = 16th
| web                = https://lasallecountyil.gov/
| named for          = [[René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle]]
| footnotes          = <ref name="amff">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=05000US17099&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US17%7C05000US17099&_street=&_county=La+Salle+County&_cityTown=La+Salle+County&_state=04000US17&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=|title=La Salle County, Illinois{{Snd}} Fact Sheet|year=2000|work=American FactFinder|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 26, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606041956/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=05000US17099&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US17%7C05000US17099&_street=&_county=La+Salle+County&_cityTown=La+Salle+County&_state=04000US17&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry=|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref><ref name="gnis">{{Cite GNIS|422247|LaSalle County}}</ref>| ex image = LaSalle County Courthouse (8745757340).jpg
| ex image cap = LaSalle County Courthouse, [[Ottawa, Illinois]]
| coordinates ={{Coord|41|20|38|N|88|53|9|W|type:adm2nd_region:US-IL_source:geonames|display=title}} }}

'''LaSalle County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located within the [[Fox Valley (Illinois)|Fox Valley]] and [[Illinois River Valley]] regions of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Illinois]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]], it had a population of 109,658.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US17099 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Ottawa, Illinois|Ottawa]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> LaSalle County is part of the [[Ottawa, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area]] of [[Northern Illinois]].

LaSalle County borders [[Woodford County, Illinois|Woodford]], [[Marshall County, Illinois|Marshall]], [[Putnam County, Illinois|Putnam]], [[Bureau County, Illinois|Bureau]], [[Livingston County, Illinois|Livingston]], [[Lee County, Illinois|Lee]], [[DeKalb County, Illinois|DeKalb]], [[Kendall County, Illinois|Kendall]], and [[Grundy County, Illinois|Grundy]] counties. Though LaSalle County is in the Chicago media market, it retains a unique identity with a mix of river towns and vast expanses of farmland. The county lies at the intersection of the [[Chicago]], [[Peoria, Illinois|Peoria]], [[Quad Cities]] and [[Rockford, Illinois|Rockford]] television markets with all four regions broadcasting within its borders and having a strong influence on the area, despite the county being only {{convert|60|mi}} southwest of Chicago.

==History==
LaSalle County was formed on January 15, 1831,<ref name="ipub15"/> out of [[Tazewell County, Illinois|Tazewell]] and [[Putnam County, Illinois|Putnam Counties]]. It is named for the early French explorer [[René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|year=1905|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n131 182]}}</ref>  La Salle was the first European recorded as entering the area. He traveled the [[Mississippi River]] upriver from the [[Gulf of Mexico]], claimed the land for [[France]], or rather as a possession of King [[Louis XIV of France]], and named it [[Louisiana (New France)|Louisiana]]. In 1680, he and [[Henry de Tonty]] built [[Fort Crevecoeur]] on the [[Illinois River]] in present-day Tazewell County, and in 1683, they constructed Fort St. Louis on [[Starved Rock State Park|Starved Rock]] in present-day LaSalle County. By 1857, the county was served by the daily arrivals of two trains of the [[Illinois Central Railroad]].

As [[William D. Boyce]] reportedly founded the [[Boy Scouts of America]] in Ottawa, the council is named for him. He and two other founders established the BSA, but Boyce is given the sole credit since his faction of the BSA adopted the other two competing factions' elements within the organization. LaSalle County is within what is called the Lowaneu District of the W.D. Boyce Council.

In 1838, [[William Reddick (politician)|William Reddick]], a local farmer and landowner, was elected [[Sheriffs in the United States|sheriff]] of LaSalle County.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/PDFs/124473.pdf|title=Reddick's Library|last=Catlin|first=Betty|publisher=Illinois Historic Preservation Agency|year=1971|access-date=September 30, 2021|pages=3–8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023205703/http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/PDFs/124473.pdf|archive-date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> He was hired to restore public order resulting from an influx of workmen creating the [[Illinois and Michigan Canal]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last1=Sprague|first1=Paul E.|last2=Dring|first2= William |others=[[National Trust for Historic Preservation]]; Ottawa Silica Company |date=1975|title=History, Significance, and Feasibility for Adaptive Use of the William Reddick Mansion at Ottawa, Illinois |url=http://libsysdigi.library.uiuc.edu/OCA/Books2010-01/historysignifica00spra/historysignifica00spra.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023205702/http://libsysdigi.library.uiuc.edu/OCA/Books2010-01/historysignifica00spra/historysignifica00spra.pdf |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live |pages=1–150|publisher=[[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University Library]]|oclc=665222949}}</ref> Reddick served as sheriff for four consecutive two-year terms.<ref name=":0" /> After being elected to the [[Illinois Senate|Illinois State Senate]], Reddick commissioned the construction of a luxurious [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]] home, now known as the [[William Reddick (politician)#Reddick Mansion|Reddick Mansion]].<ref name=":1" /> This structure is one of the largest surviving pre-[[American Civil War|Civil War]] homes in Illinois.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ottawa, Illinois in Nineteen Hundred |last1=Brown |first1=Janet Rabenstein |last2=Pielemeier |first2=Nancy Rabenstein |last3=Scott |first3=Ann Rabenstein |publisher=LaSalle County Genealogy Guild <!--|isbn=1234230615 was apparently sourced from a suspicious amazon.sg listing and does not appear elsewhere --> |year=1995 |page=42 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zVY0AQAAMAAJ&q=%22William+Reddick%22 }}</ref> The mansion was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1973, as part of the [[Washington Park Historic District (Ottawa, Illinois)|Washington Park Historic District]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/28893395|title=Illinois SP Washington Park Historic District|last=National Park Service|date=October 10, 1972|access-date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>

The tri-county area of DeKalb, LaSalle, and Kendall has been influential in terms of its politics, sports, multimedia, industry, and technology. [[DeKalb County, Illinois|DeKalb County]] was the birthplace of plant hybridization (DeKalb, [[DeKalb Genetics Corporation|DeKalb Agricultural]]), the hot-air hand dryer (Sandwich, Sahara-Pak), and is the home of supermodel [[Cindy Crawford]], at least 7 MLB players, two NFL coaches, and three NFL players. LaSalle County was home to the [[Westclox|Westclox Company]] for many years, it was the site of the first [[Lincoln-Douglas Debates]], and was the home to the discoverer of [[Pluto]], as well as a [[Wild West]] figure, multiple published authors, a legendary [[NCAA]] athletic director and coach, and multiple political figures.  [[Kendall County, Illinois|Kendall County]] is the home to a seminal piece of 20th Century architecture, the birthplace of the Harvester Reaper, (as well as the precursor to the [[International Harvester|International Harvester Company]]), the plastic [[tackle box (fishing)|tackle box]] and plastic-injection molding, and is the home of multiple athletes, politicians, and a former [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House of Representatives]]. DeKalb, LaSalle, and Kendall Counties have all been featured in major films, with scripts either having been written by residents or former residents.

LaSalle County was founded largely by immigrants from [[New England]]. These were old stock [[Yankee]] immigrants, who were descended from the English [[Puritans]] who settled New England in the 1600s. The completion of the [[Erie Canal]] caused a surge in New England immigration to what was then the [[Northwest Territory]]. The end of the [[Black Hawk War]] led to an additional surge of immigration, once again coming almost exclusively from the six [[New England]] states as a result of overpopulation combined with land shortages in that region. Some of these later settlers were from [[upstate New York]] and had parents who had moved to that region from [[New England]] shortly after the [[American Revolution|Revolutionary War]]. New Englanders and New England transplants from upstate New York were the vast majority of LaSalle County's inhabitants during the first several decades of its history. These settlers were primarily members of the [[Congregational church|Congregational Church]], though due to the [[Second Great Awakening]], many of them had converted to [[Methodism]], and some had become [[Baptists]] before coming to what is now LaSalle County. The [[Congregational church|Congregational Church]] has subsequently gone through many divisions, and some factions, including those in LaSalle County, are now known as the [[Church of Christ]] and the [[United Church of Christ]]. As a result of this heritage, the vast majority of inhabitants in LaSalle County − much like antebellum [[New England]] − were overwhelmingly in favor of the abolitionist movement during the decades leading up to the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].<ref>History of La Salle County, Illinois: Together with Sketches of Its Cities, Villages and Towns, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military, and Political History, Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Representative Citizens : Also a Condensed History of Illinois, Embodying Accounts of Prehistoric Races, Aborigines, Winnebago and Black Hawk Wars, and a Brief Review of Its Civil and Political History, Volume 1 by Inter-state Publishing Company, 1886</ref>  When the New Englanders arrived in what is now LaSalle County, there was nothing but dense virgin forest and wild prairie. They laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings and established post routes. In 1834, Norwegian immigrants settled in the northwest corner of the county. The construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal brought thousands of Irish and Irish-American workers to Illinois. Many settled in the counties along the canal route. Ottawa and LaSalle County had a large Irish population due to the importance of Ottawa as a trade and industrial center on the canal. The election of the LaSalle County sheriff hinged on the Irish vote when a New Englander Woodruff was replaced as sheriff by William Reddick a successful Irish landowner following Woodruff's role in putting down a riot along the canal in 1837. Irish and German immigration to LaSalle County, especially LaSalle. Ottawa and Peru prior to the Civil War was such that many German immigrants joined Illinois regiments during the war.<ref>History of LaSalle County, Illinois, by Elmer Baldwin Rand McNally & Company, 1877</ref> In the late 1880s and early 1890s, [[Irish American|Irish]] and [[German American|German]] migrants began moving into LaSalle County; most of these later immigrants did not move directly from [[Ireland]] and [[Germany]], but rather from other areas in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] where they had been living, particularly the state of [[Ohio]].<ref>History of LaSalle County, Illinois, Volume 1 by Michael Cyprian O'Byrne Higginson Book Company, 1924</ref>  Immigrants around the Peterstown, Troy Grove, Meriden, Mendota, and Earlville area were largely of German descent, with the Mendota area directly being the epicenter of the German community in the county. Norwegian population has been strong in the area around Northville, Serena, Mission, and Miller Townships in LaSalle County, along with Little Rock and Fox Townships in Kendall County, and Sandwich and Somonauk Townships in DeKalb County. One such family, the Borschsenius family, runs the Norway Store in the unincorporated community of Norway, in southern Mission Township, and the family has been deeply involved with businesses and the school district of nearby Serena and Sheridan.

Ottawa was the first site of the famous [[Lincoln–Douglas debates]] on August 21, 1858. The community has a strong association with the 16th President, and elements of the downtown area of the city retain much mid-19th century architecture. People in LaSalle County were predominantly [[abolitionism in the United States|abolitionist]] in attitude, and many [[Underground Railroad]] sites were maintained in the county prior to the [[American Civil War]].

Utica (officially [[North Utica, Illinois|North Utica]]) is considered the gateway to the Starved Rock area. Visiting three parks provides a full experience of the area. [[Starved Rock State Park]], (south of Utica on [[Illinois Route 178]]), is the crown jewel. [[Matthiessen State Park]] (south of Starved Rock on Ill 178) has many of the same features of Starved Rock, but is smaller, and faces the [[Vermilion River (Illinois River tributary)|Vermilion River]] to the west. [[Buffalo Rock State Park]] (east of Utica, and west of Naplate/Ottawa on Dee Bennett Road) has an enclosure which features [[American bison]], as well as the mound sculpture complex, known as the Effigy Tumuli. The village was the site of a [[Tornado outbreak of April 20, 2004#Granville–Utica, Illinois|F3 tornado that ripped through the downtown]] and killed nine people on April 20, 2004.

On November 15, 2023, a magnitude 3.6 earthquake hit the county. [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000lnhy/executive]

<gallery>
File:LaSalle County Illinois 1831.png|LaSalle County from the time of its creation to 1836, including a large tract of unorganized territory temporarily attached to it.<ref name="ipub15">{{cite web |url=https://ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/ipub15.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930203716/https://ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/ipub15.pdf |archive-date=2021-09-30 |url-status=live |title=Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties|date=March 2010|publisher=[[Illinois Secretary of State]]|access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref>
File:LaSalle County Illinois 1836.png|LaSalle County between 1836 and 1837
File:LaSalle County Illinois 1837.png|LaSalle County between 1837 and 1841
File:LaSalle County Illinois 1841.png|LaSalle County between 1841 and 1843
File:LaSalle County Illinois 1843.png|In 1843, the southwest corner was ceded to Marshall County, reducing LaSalle to its present size
</gallery>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1148|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1135|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|13|sqmi}} (1.1%) is water.<ref name="census-density"/> It is the second-largest county in Illinois by land area and the fourth-largest by total area.

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Lee County, Illinois|Lee County]]{{Snd}} northwest
* [[DeKalb County, Illinois|DeKalb County]]{{Snd}} north
* [[Kendall County, Illinois|Kendall County]]{{Snd}} northeast
* [[Grundy County, Illinois|Grundy County]] {{Snd}} east
* [[Livingston County, Illinois|Livingston County]]{{Snd}} southeast
* [[Woodford County, Illinois|Woodford County]]{{Snd}} south
* [[Marshall County, Illinois|Marshall County]]{{Snd}} southwest
* [[Putnam County, Illinois|Putnam County]]{{Snd}} west
* [[Bureau County, Illinois|Bureau County]]{{Snd}} west
{{div col end}}

LaSalle County, Illinois, is one of the few counties in the United States to border as many as nine counties. Illinois has two such counties, with [[Pike County, Illinois|Pike County]] being the other.

Many of the residents of LaSalle County live in cities and towns along the [[Illinois River]]. It is the main population core, with some exceptions, including Streator to the south of the county. Large cities along the river include Ottawa, LaSalle, Peru, and Marseilles. The regions north and south of the Illinois River are mostly agricultural, including the [[Fox River (Illinois River tributary)|Fox River]] portion of the county, and have few large towns.

=== Climate ===
{{climate chart
|[[Ottawa, Illinois]]
|12|30|1.45
|18|37|1.32
|29|49|2.60
|39|62|3.44
|50|73|4.00
|59|82|4.13
|63|85|3.64
|61|83|3.78
|53|77|3.50
|41|65|2.59
|30|49|2.95
|18|36|2.27
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0906
 |title       = Monthly Averages for Ottawa, Illinois
 |access-date  = January 27, 2011
 |publisher   = The Weather Channel
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100915095425/http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0906
 |archive-date = September 15, 2010
}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Ottawa have ranged from a low of {{convert|12|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|85|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-25|°F}} was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of {{convert|112|°F}} was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.32|in}} in February to {{convert|4.13|in}} in June.<ref name="weather"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 9348
|1850= 17815
|1860= 48332
|1870= 60792
|1880= 70403
|1890= 80798
|1900= 87776
|1910= 90132
|1920= 92925
|1930= 97695
|1940= 97801
|1950= 100610
|1960= 110800
|1970= 111409
|1980= 112003
|1990= 106913
|2000= 111509
|2010= 113924
|estyear=2023
|estimate=108309
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=July 27, 2013}}</ref>
|2020=109658}}
{{Stack|[[File:USA La Salle County, Illinois age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|2000 census age pyramid for LaSalle County]]}}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 United States Census]], there were 109,658 people, 45,089 households, and 29,344 families residing in the county.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=S1101%3A%20HOUSEHOLDS%20AND%20FAMILIES&g=0500000US17099&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101 | title=Explore Census Data }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|95.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 49,812 housing units at an average density of {{convert|43.4|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17099
  |access-date=July 12, 2015
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212202011/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17099
  |archive-date=February 12, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 85.6% white, 2.4% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 3.6% from other races, and 7.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.4% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=P2&g=0500000US17099 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> In terms of ancestry, 27.8% were [[Germans|German]], 18.0% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 8.7% were [[Italian Americans|Italian]], 8.1% were [[English people|English]], 7.6% were [[Polish people|Polish]], 4.4% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 3.8% were [[Americans|American]], and 3.1% were [[French people|French]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Ancestry&g=0500000US17099&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP02 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 45,089 households, 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.9% were non-families, and 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 42.1 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=S0101:%20AGE%20AND%20SEX&g=0500000US17099&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S0101 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

The median income for a household in the county was $60,069 and the median income for a family was $72,583. Males had a median income of $50,214 versus $26,424 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,020. About 9.7% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17099
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=July 12, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012922/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17099
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Education==
===School districts===
{{main list|List of school districts in Illinois#LaSalle County}}

===Secondary schools===
====Public====
* Earlville High School (CUSD 9), also has district area in DeKalb and Lee counties
* [[LaSalle-Peru High School]], LaSalle
* [[Leland High School (Leland, Illinois)|Leland High School]], Leland, also has district area in DeKalb County
* [[Mendota Township High School]], Mendota, also has district area in Bureau and Lee Counties
* [[Newark Community High School]], located within Kendall County, but serves Mission Township
* [[Ottawa Township High School]], Ottawa
* [[Sandwich Community High School]] (CUSD 430), located within DeKalb County, but serves Northville Township
* Seneca High School, also has district area in Grundy County
* Serena High School (CUSD 2)
* Somonauk High School, located within DeKalb County, but serves Northville and Adams Townships
* [[Streator Township High School]], Streator
* [[Woodland High School (Illinois)|Woodland High School]], Streator

====Private====
* [[Marquette Academy]], Ottawa
* [[Ottawa Christian Academy]],<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.ottawachristianacademy.com/our-school |publisher=Ottawa Christian Academy |access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref> Ottawa
* [[St. Bede Academy]], Peru

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Illinois Valley Community College]], Oglesby

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
===Transit===
* [[Amtrak]] (''[[Illinois Zephyr]], [[Illinois Zephyr|Carl Sandburg]], and [[Southwest Chief]]'')
* [[Burlington Trailways]]
* [[Mendota station]]

====Airports====
* [[Earlville Airport]], closed in 2010
* [[Illinois Valley Regional Airport]], Peru

====Major highways====
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Image:I-39.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 39]]
* [[Image:I-80.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 80]]
* [[Image:US 6.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 6]]
* [[Image:US 34.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 34]]
* [[Image:US 51.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 51]]
* [[Image:US 52.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 52]]
* [[Image:Illinois 17.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 17]]
* [[Image:Illinois 18.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 18]]
* [[Image:Illinois 23.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 23]]
* [[Image:Illinois 71.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 71]]
* [[Image:Illinois 170.svg|24px]] [[Illinois Route 170]]
* [[Image:Illinois 178.svg|24px]] [[Illinois Route 178]]
* [[Image:Illinois 179.svg|24px]] [[Illinois Route 179]] (formerly)
* [[Image:Illinois 251.svg|24px]] [[Illinois Route 251]]
* [[Image:Illinois 351.svg|24px]] [[Illinois Route 351]]
{{div col end}}

===Utilities===
* [[LaSalle County Nuclear Generating Station]], Marseilles

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Earlville, Illinois|Earlville]]
* [[LaSalle, Illinois|LaSalle]]
* [[Marseilles, Illinois|Marseilles]]
* [[Mendota, Illinois|Mendota]]
* [[Oglesby, Illinois|Oglesby]]
* [[Ottawa, Illinois|Ottawa]]
* [[Peru, Illinois|Peru]]
* [[Sandwich, Illinois|Sandwich]] (part)
* [[Streator, Illinois|Streator]] (part)
* [[Wenona, Illinois|Wenona]] (part)
{{div col end}}

===Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Cedar Point, Illinois|Cedar Point]]
* [[Dalzell, Illinois|Dalzell]] (part)
* [[Dana, Illinois|Dana]]
* [[Grand Ridge, Illinois|Grand Ridge]]
* [[Kangley, Illinois|Kangley]]
* [[Leland, Illinois|Leland]]
* [[Leonore, Illinois|Leonore]]
* [[Lostant, Illinois|Lostant]]
* [[Millington, Illinois|Millington]] (part)
* [[Naplate, Illinois|Naplate]]
* [[North Utica, Illinois|North Utica]]
* [[Ransom, Illinois|Ransom]]
* [[Rutland, Illinois|Rutland]]
* [[Seneca, Illinois|Seneca]] (part)
* [[Sheridan, Illinois|Sheridan]]
* [[Somonauk, Illinois|Somonauk]] (part)
* [[Tonica, Illinois|Tonica]]
* [[Troy Grove, Illinois|Troy Grove]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Dayton, LaSalle County, Illinois|Dayton]]
* [[Lake Holiday, Illinois|Lake Holiday]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Altmar, Illinois|Altmar]]
* [[Baker, Illinois|Baker]]
* [[Blakes, Illinois|Blakes]]
* [[Catharine, Illinois|Catharine]]
* [[Danway, Illinois|Danway]]
* [[Dimmick, Illinois|Dimmick]]
* [[Farm Ridge, Illinois|Farm Ridge]]
* [[Fitchmoor, Illinois|Fitchmoor]]
* [[Garfield, Illinois|Garfield]]
* [[Harding, Illinois|Harding]]
* [[Hitt, LaSalle County, Illinois|Hitt]]
* [[Jonesville, Illinois|Jonesville]]
* [[Kernan, Illinois|Kernan]]
* [[Leeds, Illinois|Leeds]]
* [[Lowell, Illinois|Lowell]]
* [[Meriden, Illinois|Meriden]]
* [[Milla, Illinois|Milla]]
* [[Mount Palatine, Illinois|Mount Palatine]] (part)
* [[Northville, Illinois|Northville]]
* [[Norway, Illinois|Norway]]
* [[Peterstown, Illinois|Peterstown]]
* [[Prairie Center, Illinois|Prairie Center]]
* [[Richards, Illinois|Richards]]
* [[Science, Illinois|Science]]
* [[Serena, Illinois|Serena]]
* [[Stavanger, Illinois|Stavanger]]
* [[Sulphur Springs, Illinois|Sulphur Springs]]
* [[Ticona, Illinois|Ticona]]
* [[Triumph, Illinois|Triumph]]
* [[Waltham, Illinois|Waltham]]
* [[Wedron, Illinois|Wedron]]
* [[Welland, Illinois|Welland]] (part)
* [[Wilsman, Illinois|Wilsman]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
LaSalle County is divided into thirty-seven [[Civil township|townships]]:

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Adams Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Adams]]
* [[Allen Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Allen]]
* [[Brookfield Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Brookfield]]
* [[Bruce Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Bruce]]
* [[Dayton Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Dayton]]
* [[Deer Park Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Deer Park]]
* [[Dimmick Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Dimmick]]
* [[Eagle Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Eagle]]
* [[Earl Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Earl]]
* [[Eden Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Eden]]
* [[Fall River Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Fall River]]
* [[Farm Ridge Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Farm Ridge]]
* [[Freedom Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Freedom]]
* [[Grand Rapids Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Grand Rapids]]
* [[Groveland Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Groveland]]
* [[Hope Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Hope]]
* [[LaSalle Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|LaSalle]]
* [[Manlius Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Manlius]]
* [[Mendota Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Mendota]]
* [[Meriden Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Meriden]]
* [[Miller Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Miller]]
* [[Mission Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Mission]]
* [[Northville Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Northville]]
* [[Ophir Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Ophir]]
* [[Osage Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Osage]]
* [[Ottawa Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Ottawa]]
* [[Otter Creek Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Otter Creek]]
* [[Peru Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Peru]]
* [[Richland Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Richland]]
* [[Rutland Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Rutland]]
* [[Serena Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Serena]]
* [[South Ottawa Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|South Ottawa]]
* [[Troy Grove Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Troy Grove]]
* [[Utica Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Utica]]
* [[Vermillion Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Vermillion]]
* [[Wallace Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Wallace]]
* [[Waltham Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Waltham]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns===
* [[East Wenona, Illinois|East Wenona]]
* [[Little Rock, LaSalle County, Illinois|Little Rock]]
* [[Science, Illinois|Science]]

==Politics==
{{more citations needed|date=May 2022}}
{{Illinois county elected officials
| name              =LaSalle County, Illinois
| assessor          =
| assessorparty     =
| auditor   =Stephanie Jo Thompson
| auditorparty    =Republican
| boardchair            =Donald E. Jensen
| boardchairparty    =Republican
| boardmajority            =20-9<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lasallecounty.org/board-members/|title=LaSalle County board|website=lasallecounty.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201030024/http://lasallecounty.org/board-members/|archive-date=December 1, 2016}}</ref>
| boardmajorityparty    =Republican
| circuitclerk      =Greg Vacarro
| circuitclerkparty =Republican
| countyclerk       =Jennifer Ebner
| countyclerkparty  =Republican
| coroner             =Rich Ploch
| coronerparty    =Democratic
| recorder          =Karen Friestad Miller
| recorderparty     =Republican
| statesattorney        =Joe Navarro
| statesattorneyparty   =Democratic
| sheriff           =Adam Diss
| sheriffparty      =Republican
| superintendent    =Chris Dvorak
| superintendentparty     =Democratic
| treasurer         =James L. Spelich
| treasurerparty    =Republican
}}
LaSalle has generally been a Republican-leaning swing county, more competitive than most in urbanized Northern Illinois.

In its early years, LaSalle County supported the Democratic Party, being southwest of the [[Free Soil Party|Free Soil]] strongholds in the far northeast of the state. Following the formation of the Republican party, LaSalle County voted for that party in every election until 1884, when it supported Democrat [[Grover Cleveland]] three consecutive times. Although the county gave a plurality to [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912 and supported [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] in his first three elections, it otherwise voted Republican until 1960.

A Democratic trend, typical of Yankee Northern Illinois, saw [[Michael Dukakis]] carry LaSalle despite failing to win the election in 1988, and no Republican would carry the county again until [[George W. Bush]] in 2004.

{{PresHead|place=LaSalle County, Illinois|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|archive-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|30,717|21,029|942|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|30,113|22,442|1,132|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|26,689|19,543|3,511|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|23,256|23,073|1,076|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|21,872|27,443|995|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|26,101|24,263|365|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|21,276|23,355|1,376|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|15,299|21,643|5,549|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|16,078|23,276|10,577|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|22,166|22,271|213|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|27,388|20,532|219|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|27,323|16,818|3,694|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|25,114|23,105|646|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|31,190|21,405|92|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|26,054|22,940|2,616|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|21,216|30,923|0|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|27,552|27,532|41|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|33,461|18,318|83|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|32,857|21,321|99|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|24,453|19,666|321|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|28,179|21,489|2,210|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|25,296|29,704|399|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|22,240|26,926|2,035|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|19,179|27,500|908|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|24,039|20,807|382|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|21,417|6,216|7,784|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|23,751|6,626|2,057|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|20,662|14,625|1,203|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|4,858|7,036|7,890|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|11,159|7,589|1,326|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|11,967|5,628|1,500|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|11,781|8,671|504|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|11,548|8,108|391|Illinois}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|7,957|9,365|711|Illinois}}

==Legal and Law Enforcement Issues==
In 2013, a [[class-action]] lawsuit was filed against the LaSalle County Jail, alleging that staff forcibly stripped and videotaped detainees without legal justification.<ref>{{cite news |title=Class-Action Suit Claims More LaSalle County Jail Abuse |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/class-action-suit-claims-more-lasalle-county-jail-abuse/1967425/ |work=NBC Chicago |date=2013 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=More suits filed over LaSalle County lockup abuse allegations |url=https://wgntv.com/news/more-suits-filed-over-lasalle-county-lockup-abuse-allegations/ |work=WGN News |access-date=April 9, 2025}}</ref> Sheriff Thomas Templeton, who oversaw the jail at the time, stated in a [[Deposition (law)| deposition]] that the practice was a "procedure" rather than a written policy and had occurred for decades.<ref name="ABC72014">{{cite news |title=LaSalle County Jail strip-search lawsuit settled |url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/9495500/ |work=ABC7 |date=April 8, 2014|access-date=April 12, 2025}}</ref> Plaintiffs argued the actions violated [[Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution|constitutional protections against unreasonable searches]]. CBS Chicago aired footage showing one such incident, which was cited in court filings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Woman Sues Sheriff Over 2017 Strip Search |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkVae1bl4-o |website=YouTube |publisher=CBS Chicago |date=Jan 16, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}</ref> In 2014, the county settled a lawsuit for $355,000 involving five women who reported being forcibly stripped. The county's attorney stated the deputies had followed their training and that no charges were expected.<ref name="ABC72014"/> 

In 2019, a former U.S. Marine filed another lawsuit against the LaSalle County Sheriff's Office, again naming Sheriff Thomas Templeton,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Former Marine Accuses LaSalle County Sheriff Of Illegal Strip Search; Incident Caught On Video |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/zandrea-askew-strip-search-lawsuit-lasalle-county-sheriff-excessive-force/ |work=CBS News |date=Jan 16, 2019 |access-date=2025-04-12}}</ref> alleging she was forcibly strip-searched after being arrested despite passing a [[Field sobriety testing| field sobriety test]]. The woman had the charges against her later dismissed, and her attorney argued the search was used as a form of punishment. The lawsuit also alleged deputies attempted to delete surveillance footage of the incident. This case was cited as further evidence of an ongoing pattern of unconstitutional searches by the department.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Black woman ex-Marine sues Illinois sheriff after degrading, terrifying, illegal strip search |url=https://thegrio.com/2019/01/17/watch-black-woman-marine-sues-illinois-sheriff-after-degrading-terrifying-illegal-strip-search/ |work=The grio |date=Jan 17, 2019 |access-date=2025-04-12}}</ref>

In 2020, former LaSalle County [[district attorney]] Karen Donnelly and other officials were named in a federal lawsuit alleging [[malicious prosecution]] and [[False evidence |fabrication of evidence]] in a homicide case. The complaint claimed that authorities pursued charges despite contradictory [[Forensic science |forensic]] findings, and alleged that officials withheld exculpatory information while relying on discredited theories.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ken Cusick Sues Karen Donnelly, Others |url=https://www.starvedrock.media/wlpo/ken-cusick-sues-karen-donnelly-others-in-federal-court/article_deef6012-09b9-11eb-bf74-ab9b52e5e9b6.html |work=Starved Rock Media |date=Oct 8, 2020 |access-date=April 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Man Sues State’s Attorney Karen Donnelly and Ottawa Police Department Officers Who Tried to Frame Him |url=https://www.loevy.com/man-sues-states-attorney-karen-donnelly-and-ottawa-police-department-officers-who-tried-to-frame-him/ |work=Loevy & Loevy |date=Oct 8, 2020 |access-date=April 12, 2025}}</ref> The case was settled in 2023, with the terms of the settlement undisclosed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cusick settles with accusers after 2019 acquittal |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/mywebtimes/2023/05/24/cusick-settles-with-former-accusers-after-2019-acquittal/ |work=Shaw Local |date=May 23, 2023 |access-date=April 12, 2025}}</ref>

In 2021, a video surfaced showing a LaSalle County Sheriff’s deputy Jim Knoblauch, the former police chief of [[Oglesby, Illinois|Oglesby]], playing [[copyright |copyrighted]] music while being filmed by a citizen.<ref>{{cite web |title=It Sure Looks Like This Cop Played Country Music to Avoid Being Filmed |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/it-sure-looks-like-this-cop-played-country-music-to-avoid-being-filmed/ |website=Vice |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}</ref> The apparent intent was to trigger copyright filters on social media platforms to prevent the video from being shared. The incident was criticized by [[digital rights]] advocates as an attempt to suppress public documentation of [[Police misconduct |police conduct]]. In his incident report, Knoblauch stated that he had been advised to use music in such situations—a tactic that some critics interpreted as an effort to avoid public scrutiny.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cop Was Instructed to Use Music to Disrupt Filming |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/cop-was-instructed-to-use-music-to-disrupt-filming/ |website=Vice |date=September 9, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2025}}</ref>

==Visitor attractions==
* [[Hegeler Carus Mansion]]
* [[Hopalong Cassidy River Trail]]
* [[Illini State Park]]
* [[Kaskaskia Alliance Trail]]
* [[LaSalle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area]]
* [[Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial]]
* [[Mitchell's Grove Nature Preserve]]
* [[Ottawa Avenue Cemetery]]
* [[Plum Island Eagle Sanctuary]]
* [[Washington Park Historic District (Ottawa, Illinois)]]
* [[Wild Bill Hickok Memorial]]

== Notable people ==
<!-- Note:
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· The article must mention how they are associated with LaSalle County; whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
-->
* [[James T. Aubrey]] (LaSalle) longtime president of CBS Television network
* [[Bill Brown (American football)|Bill Brown]], (Mendota) former running back for the [[Minnesota Vikings]]
* [[Fritz Crisler|Herbert "Fritz" Crisler]], (Earlville, Mendota) head football coach at the [[University of Michigan]] (1938–1947), namesake of the school's basketball stadium, and is credited for created the helmet design for the [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] football team
* [[Doug Dieken]], (rural Streator) former tackle with the [[Cleveland Browns]] (1971–1984); color commentary for Browns radio broadcasts
* [[Walter T. Gunn]], Illinois Supreme Court justice, born in LaSalle County
* [[J. A. Happ]], (Peru) pitcher for [[New York Yankees]]; pitched for [[2008 World Series]] champion [[2008 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]]
* [[Michael Hermosillo]], (Ottawa) outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels and minor league affiliates
* [[Wild Bill Hickok]], (Troy Grove) noted historical Western Figure
* [[Helen Hokinson]], (Mendota) cartoonist for ''[[The New Yorker]]''
* [[Silas Johnson]], (Sheridan) credited as the last pitcher to strike out Herman "Babe" Ruth; played for the [[Cincinnati Reds]]
* [[Harry Kelly (politician)|Harry Kelly]], (Ottawa) 39th [[List of Governors of Michigan|governor of Michigan]]
* [[Terrence Malick]], (Ottawa) film director, known for ''Badlands'' and ''The Thin Red Line''; born in Ottawa
* [[Bob McGrath]], (Ottawa), Sesame Street performer
* [[Esther Hobart Morris]], (Peru) First Female Judge in United States
* [[Clarence E. Mulford]], (Streator) wrote the "Hopalong Cassidy" cowboy novels
* [[Cleng Peerson]], established the community of Norway
* [[Edward H. Plumb]], (Streator) film composer, worked with [[Walt Disney]] on ''[[Fantasia (1940 film)|Fantasia]]''; nominated four times for an [[Academy Award]]
* [[Maud Powell]], (Peru) violinist
* [[Thomas E. G. Ransom]], Civil War general, lived in [[Peru, Illinois|Peru]], namesake of [[Ransom, Illinois|Ransom]]
* [[Adam Shabala]], (Streator) former outfielder for the [[San Francisco Giants]]
* [[Aaron Shea]], (Ottawa) player for the [[Cleveland Browns]]
* [[Clyde Tombaugh]], (Streator) astronomer, discovered [[Pluto]]
* [[Martin R. M. Wallace]], (Ottawa) Civil War general
* [[W.H.L. Wallace]], (Ottawa) Civil War general
* [[Walt Willey]], (Ottawa) actor, known for ''[[All My Children]]''
* [[Gary K. Wolf]], (Earlville) author of ''[[Who Censored Roger Rabbit?]]'', adopted into the movie ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]''
* [[Clay Zavada]], (Streator) pitcher for the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in LaSalle County, Illinois]]
* [[Sandwich Fault Zone]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* {{cite book
 | first = Richard L.
 | last = Forstall
 | year = 1996
 | title = Population of States and Counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990: From the Twenty-One Decennial Censuses
 | publisher = United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division
 | isbn = 0-934213-48-8
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140819161620/http://www.onlinebiographies.info/il/lasalle/index.htm LaSalle County, Il Biographical Sketches]
* [http://www.enjoylasallecounty.com/ LaSalle County Tourism]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = LaSalle County, Illinois
|North     = [[DeKalb County, Illinois|DeKalb County]]
|Northeast = [[Kendall County, Illinois|Kendall County]]
|East      = [[Grundy County, Illinois|Grundy County]]
|Southeast = [[Livingston County, Illinois|Livingston County]]
|South     = [[Woodford County, Illinois|Woodford County]]
|Southwest = [[Marshall County, Illinois|Marshall County]]
|West      = [[Putnam County, Illinois|Putnam County]] and [[Bureau County, Illinois|Bureau County]]
|Northwest = [[Lee County, Illinois|Lee County]]
}}
{{LaSalle County, Illinois}}
{{Chicago metropolitan area}}
{{Illinois}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lasalle County, Illinois}}
[[Category:LaSalle County, Illinois| ]]
[[Category:1831 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Illinois counties]]
[[Category:Ottawa, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1831]]