Joliet Police: It's Time To Replace Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley

JOLIET, IL — Two-term Democrat Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley received another setback toward his November re-election bid as the Joliet Police Department's Fraternal Order of Police Union endorsed the candidacy of his opponent, Republican challenger Jim Reilly.

Reilly served on the Joliet Police Department from 1989 through 1997. When Reilly first ran for Will County Sheriff in 2018, however, the Joliet Police Department's FOP endorsed the candidacy of Kelley.

But not this time.

In the June Illinois Primary, Kelley received about 4,400 fewer votes than Reilly, as both men ran unopposed in their respective primaries.

In recent weeks, the Will County Sheriff's Deputies' Union announced that its members voted overwhelmingly not to endorse the latest re-election attempt for Kelley, who has been criticized by his opponent for being a part-time sheriff who provides little hands-on management leadership at the sheriff's office on Laraway Road.

Unlike many police departments, Sheriff Kelley does not hold news conferences to provide residents with information on noteworthy investigations or topics in the sheriff's office.

Kelley also hasn't done an interview with the Joliet Patch editor for about four years now.

"I am honored and humbled to have the support of the Joliet Police Department Fraternal Order of Police Labor Committee," Reilly wrote to Joliet Patch. "I have the utmost respect for the hard-working men and women of the Joliet Police Department. To be recognized and supported by their membership just adds to the huge momentum that is already building behind our campaign."

Joliet Police Officer John Perri, who is the secretary for the FOP, sent Reilly a letter on Tuesday notifying Reilly he has the Joliet Police Department union's support for his Nov. 8 election.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Sheriff Kelley Isn't Endorsed By Will County's Deputies

Sheriff Mike Kelley's Re-Election Faces Serious Trouble

Will County Sheriff's Race: Jackie's Pub Donates To Kelley Campaign