Coroner Patrick O'Neil Tenders Resignation Notice

JOLIET, IL — Will County Coroner Patrick O'Neil announced he would not be seeking an eighth term in office a year ago.

On Thursday, O'Neil made an unexpected announcement. He has chosen not to fulfill his entire four-year term as coroner.

His resignation takes effect Monday.

"It is a bittersweet moment, but for personal reasons I have to retire," O'Neil said in a statement posted on his Facebook page Thursday night.

"It is now time to move on to the next phase of my life. I have genuinely enjoyed and valued my position as Will County Coroner and will miss my job. It has been my honor to serve Will County."

In the March primary, O'Neil backed the candidacy of former Will County Board member Laurie Summers, who crushed Bolingbrook Police Sgt. Sean Talbot in the primary race.

Since Will County remains a political stronghold for Democrats, Summers is likely to win office in the November general election. She is up against James Piacentini, of Steger, who is running as the Republican candidate. Piacentini has done little campaigning leading up to the election.

Also, Zohaib Khan of Plainfield, said he is running as an independent write-in candidate for the coroner's position.

Summers has served as chief deputy coroner since O'Neil appointed her to the position last fall.