Larry Walsh's Staff Discusses 2020 Election With Joliet Patch

JOLIET, IL — Last week, Joliet Patch revealed that plans were in the works for four-term Will County Executive Larry Walsh to pass the political torch to fellow Will County Democratic officeholder, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant of Shorewood, perhaps as early as next month. However, not everybody in Will County's Democratic Party was thrilled about the notion of Bertino-Tarrant being appointed as County Executive.

Some were outraged at the lack of transparency, saying that if Bertino-Tarrant wants to become County Executive, she needs to run for the position in the 2020 election, just like anybody else.

The political buzz generated by Joliet Patch's Larry Walsh article as well as additional reporting from WJOL's Morning Show Host Scott Slocum succeeded in bringing more openness and transparency to the situation. Last week's news reports may have sunk any behind-the-scenes plans to appoint Bertino-Tarrant as the next executive of Will County government.

On Monday, Joliet Patch made an impromptu visit to the Will County Office Building on North Chicago Street for a follow-up article.

However, Larry Walsh was not in his second-floor office. He has continued to battle a second bout of cancer since late December and has been undergoing chemotherapy.

With Walsh not available, Patch interviewed Walsh's long-time Chief of Staff Nick Palmer.

Palmer, not Walsh, also went on WJOL's airwaves last week to assure local listeners that Larry Walsh has no intention of resigning from office in the near future.

Barring a downturn in health, Palmer told Joliet Patch on Monday, Walsh intends to remain as the Will County Executive.

"He has no plans to resign or leave office," Palmer said. "He's generally in good health. He's been open about his treatment."

As of now, Walsh has not announced his plans to run for a fifth term of office.

Walsh was first elected as Will County Executive in 2004. He served as a state senator from 1997 until 2005. His son, Larry Walsh Jr., is now a state representative for Joliet's 86th District.

Nowadays, with Larry Walsh Sr.'s health becoming a growing concern among Will County's politicians, Democrats and Republicans, many people are wondering whether Walsh will decide not to seek re-election next year.

If Walsh does not run again, there will likely be a crowded Democratic primary. There may also be a contested race on the Republican side as well.

Patch asked Palmer about Walsh's election plans for 2020.

"He's not made that decision," Palmer said Monday.

Palmer also said that even though Walsh has not driven to the Will County Office Building on a daily basis of late, "he and I stay in touch." Additionally, Palmer said he has made several trips to Walsh's house in Elwood to discuss county government matters with his boss or bring Walsh paperwork that needs to be signed.

So far, Walsh has not missed any of the Will County Board meetings, Palmer noted.

"He's trying to make every one," Palmer said. "He takes his job very seriously. He takes public service very seriously."

During Monday's interview, Palmer did not reveal whether he wants to succeed his long-time boss as the next Will County Executive. Palmer has been on Walsh's staff the past 15 years.

"I'm committed to Larry one-hundred ten percent," Palmer said. "I want to see what Larry does. I am one-hundred ten percent respectful of my boss ... We're supporting Larry, and we'll see what happens."

At any rate, if a serious political contender wants to become the next Will County Executive, Democrat or Republican, he or she will probably want to declare their candidacy this summer or fall, to make sure their candidacy gets into the public spotlight and off to a strong start.