Nick Palmer Gets New Will County Government Post

JOLIET, IL — After being trounced in the March Democratic primary for Will County Executive against Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Nick Palmer faced the prospect of having to find a new job. Now, it turns out that late County Executive Larry Walsh's long time chief of staff will remain a Will County government employee, after all.

On Monday, Will County Board Speaker Mimi Cowan announced that Palmer will take over as the Chief of Staff for the 26-member county board.

“We could not have found a better, more experienced individual than Nick Palmer to oversee county board matters and legislative issues,” Cowan said in a news release. “Nick has worked closely with the Will County Board for 16 years and he will hit the ground running on day one when he assumes this post.”

"I intend to bring the historical knowledge and years of experience that I’ve gained in the executive’s office and use it to build upon the county board’s achievements,” Palmer said. “We have had great success over the years working together.”

In addition to managing operations of the county board, Palmer said his priorities will be in the areas of transportation, fiscal responsibility, and maintaining the quality of life for local residents. Palmer believes his experience will help build consensus and accomplish the goals that the county board has set, Monday's news release noted.

Palmer, 46, resides in Bolingbrook with his wife Laura and their four children. He assumes his new position on November 2.

Palmer replaces local attorney Moira Dunn, who resigned as county board chief of staff over the summer. Monday's news release from Will County did not mention Dunn's name in it.

On Nov. 3, the voters of Will County will decide whether to elect Bertino-Tarrant or retired Will County Sheriff's investigator Nick Ficarello, who is a Republican from Manhattan, as the next Will County Executive.