OTTAWA – Franklin County commissioners awarded a contract last week for health and mental services at the Franklin County jail and juvenile detention center next year to an Illinois company. Sheriff Jeff Richards told commissioners that Advanced Correctional Healthcare of Peoria offered the lower bid and more services. Richards told commissioners that he understood that commissioners were nervous about going to a company that is from out-of-state but the cost-savings to taxpayers is enough to require the switch, he said. Advanced will try to hire local employees to provide some of the health services, he said.
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1 p.m.
