Nick Palmer, Will County Executive Candidate, 2020 Election

Nick Palmer is running against Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant in the March 17 Democratic primary to become the next Will County Executive. Four-term Democrat Larry Walsh Sr. announced last year that he would not be seeking a fifth term of office because of health concerns.

Here are Palmer's answers to a questionnaire that Patch submitted to him.

Age: 46

Residence: Bolingbrook

Office Sought: County office

Party Affiliation: Democratic

Family: Laura - Wife, four teenage children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: Loyola University Chicago graduate - Political Science

Occupation: Chief of Staff - Office of the Will County Executive - 15-plus years

Campaign website: www.electnickpalmer.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: No

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Will County has been a rapidly growing county for many years. We are currently ranked #4 in population in Illinois and are expected to eventually become the #2 most populated county. With this growth comes many challenges that requires a balance between further economic development and quality of life for our residents. Finding the right balance on these issues may be the most pressing issue facing Will County.

I intend to be very proactive in working with all stakeholders to find the right balance between further job creation while preserving quality of life. One example that I am currently involved in directly is a project where county government is partnering with IDOT, local municipalities, township governments, the private sector, and local residents to more proactively address current deficiencies in our road and bridge systems and plan for future development. These efforts are overdue and we must follow through to make sure every possible avenue is explored to improve safety on our regional transportation system and preserve the quality of life for our residents.

I have been actively involved in the current work and I will continue to do all that I can to ensure truck traffic is channeled to the appropriate agreed-upon routes. I intend to be very engaged and include all the stakeholders as we aggressively work on all related issues on this topic.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am not a career politician and have not sought a major office like County Executive in the past. I do not have the major financial support of lobbyists and others in Springfield but I do have the support of many local residents from every part of Will County.

I know the job of County Executive because I have done it for over 15 years and I can start tomorrow doing the work because I have been doing it actively for my entire career in this office. I know what the Executive can do and what he/she cannot do directly. This office focuses on issues like healthcare, green or sustainability issues, and regional planning to support quality of life for our residents. I have a proven record on all of these items and many more. I don't need to make vague promises because I can show real results and outline detailed plans of what I will do once I am elected.

I have no strings attached to my candidacy and I will work with all stakeholders regardless of political affiliation or where you live in the county. Will County’s record of achievement is because of this mutual collaboration. This is in stark contrast with what happens in Springfield and Washington. We do not need that kind of politics or governing style in Will County and I will push back hard on anyone who tries to bring that type of rhetoric to our community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I am a candidate seeking an open seat, but I have come up within the office working my way from deputy chief of staff to chief of staff and now seeking the position of County Executive. I know what has worked and what has not. I am constantly looking at ways we can do things more efficiently and effectively. I reject the notion that “that's they way we have always done things” and believe it is my responsibility to push harder to do more with less. Taxpayers are pushed to their breaking points by the policies in Springfield and Washington and we at the local level are forced to deal with unfunded mandates regularly. I believe any endeavor in life requires us to wake up each day ready to go to work and do better than you did the day before. I intend to start each day with the goal of improving the lives of the working men and women of Will County by working cooperatively with both the public and private sectors and the residents directly.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

There are many things the County Executive’s office can do, but I center my platform around the ideals of working together to accomplish great things. Three areas that I have focused on are healthcare, sustainability, and proactive planning for the future.

My goal is to help lead Will County to be the healthiest county in the state. We can achieve this by continuing to expand access to affordable healthcare services at the local level through our County Health Department and federally qualified community health center. We have expanded mental health services and addiction services to the northern and eastern parts of the county. We have been a leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic and will continue these efforts until we have ended the rash of overdose deaths. Finally, we can improve on the recreational opportunities across the county by working with the Forest Preserve district and others to expand our bike trail system giving residents an opportunity to move outside.

On sustainability we have had many successes but there is more work to do. We have led the effort to expand recycling programs, further solar and other renewable green practices at county facilities, and expanded educational programs so that tomorrow’s leaders understand how climate change impacts all our lives. I will continue my work to further expand energy saving efforts by launching a program with the private sector partners to reduce their carbon footprint and constantly look for ways we can improve our sustainability practices.

Planning for the expected growth is something that I am very focused on. This involves better actions as it relates to major developments throughout the county. We all want better and more job opportunities for our local residents, but we must balance this with serious considerations about how these major projects impact resident’s quality of life. We cannot sacrifice for the other. I will make this a key piece of my administration and will continue to work on more concrete and detailed plans that direct truck traffic to appropriate routes while ensuring developments have adequate roads and bridges in place sooner not later. We cannot continue this chase for infrastructure improvements for years after residents have had to suffer through unsafe roads and gridlock.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am proud to have had the honor to serve in County Executive Larry Walsh’s administration and achieve many great things. We have made this office a full time job to serve the residents of Will County. I will focus on a few key efforts that I have been a part of as examples of why I can do this job well.

The state recently imposed an unfunded mandate to consolidate four 911 dispatch centers into one facility. I took the lead on this effort for the County and worked with police, fire, municipal officials, and many others to get this done. These types of consolidations are never easy because each stakeholder has their own perspective. However, by bringing everyone together, listening to their concerns, seeking common ground and building on our joint goal of serving the public, we were able to get the job done. This effort was very difficult but I have earned the respect of many in the community because I saw the goal and worked cooperatively to achieve our goals.

Another project that is still very much in progress involves our public transit services in Will County. There are many areas of out county that have virtually no public transit options. I worked with the RTA, PACE and local township officials to create a plan to begin to expand services to these underserved areas. We have made progress to identify funding and expand the ability for seniors, the disabled, and those seeking work to access a reliable transit option. This effort is not easy but it is critical to the residents who need these services. I intend to continue this work in the future.

Finally, I have been very involved in negotiation various deals with public and private sector partners. One big one that is about to begin construction is the Houbolt Road Bridge expansion that will connect the major intermodal facilities in Elwood and Joliet directly to Interstate 80. This project is largely funded by the private sector but will significantly address truck traffic on Rt 53 south of Joliet and offer a solution that is does not burden the taxpayers with the costs of this project. These innovative approaches can help us collectively address major issues of concern while reducing the burden on local taxpayers. I know what it takes to negotiate these deals and protect the taxpayer’s interests. I am ready on day one because I have been doing this work for over 15 years as part of the County Executive’s office.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I want to move Will County forward towards the goal as the healthiest county in the state. This can happen by expanding recreational opportunities, continuing the fight against the opioid epidemic and expansion of mental health services to all our communities. Healthy residents are productive and happy residents. This will be a major accomplishment if I can make progress in this area.

The other area I will consider a major accomplishment is when we have a more detailed plan for balancing the future growth of Will County with the quality of life for our residents. We must have an actionable plan on how to address road and bridge infrastructure so that major developments that do create jobs come to the county we have clear steps on how to keep residents safe and reduce traffic gridlock in all areas of the county.

Finally, I want to preserve the solid financial foundation that we have created. Will County has balanced our budget every year and has reduced the county portion of the property tax bill. At the end of my term I will be proud to say that we achieve great things while doing the work of the taxpayers in a fiscally responsible way unlike Springfield and Washington.

Why should voters trust you?

I am a native of Joliet and now live in Bolingbrook with my wife and four children. I am the son of retired union teachers who taught me the value of working hard and serving your community. I intend to live many more years in Will County and raise my family here. I want all our diverse communities to feel apart of what is happening here.

I believe voters should trust me because I have a record of accomplishment within the Executive’s office that is provable. I have detailed plans about what I think is needed in the future. When it comes time to make decisions I will have done my research and I will be able to explain why I decided on the path I chose.

Too often career politicians justify their action, or in action, on concerns about their next reelection campaign. I believe voters respect elected officials and candidates who tell them what they believe and why. Doing the right thing no matter how it impacts my chances for election is my top priority. Once in office, elected officials are expected to act on the issues before them not take a pass or avoid decisions.

Will County voters can trust that I will always have an open door and will always be willing to listen. I firmly believe by working together no matter what your political affiliation is nor where you live in the county should matter to me. I want to get things done for the taxpayers and I will begin each day with that goal.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Will County has had a proven record of fiscal responsibility under County Executive Larry Walsh where I was a key staff member. We instituted formal fiscal policies that resulted in the County’s bond rating increasing to AA+. We instituted a cash reserve policy so that we always were able to pay our bills on time unlike Springfield and Washington.

Will County has balanced our budget every year despite partisan differences of opinion. We worked through these differences and got the work done. We have lowered the county portion of the property tax bills for the past 5 years and will continue to strive to do more with less. I understand that taxpayers have to manage their own personal budgets and we must act with same fiscally responsible approach.

We cannot spend money that we do not have and this makes for some very difficult choices. I have done this in the Executive’s office as a staff person and I am confident that I can work with anyone to get the work done in a fiscally responsible way as the County Executive. I will continue to seek out innovative ways to generate revenue for the county that is not added to the property tax bills. We have a number of initiatives that are coming that will do just that and I am excited to keep Will County on a solid financial platform.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No. If elected I have every intention of serving my entire term.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a son of two proud retired union teachers, a husband to a wonderful understanding wife, a father of four great children, and a proud owner of a rescue dog. I grew up in the Joliet area and attended Joliet Township Central High School and enjoyed my time there involved in many activities. I attended Loyola University Chicago where I was a college student-athlete and where I learned to balance many responsibilities all at once.

I love the community that I live in and I consider my work in the County Executive’s office a career not just a job. I have put in countless hours trying to improve the lives of the working men and women of Will County. I will bring this same passion to the office as the elected County Executive.

I have prided myself in working with everyone regardless of political affiliation or where they come from. Our politics has become very nasty and threats and bullying have become the norm in our discussions. I reject the politics of Springfield and Washington that seem to say win at any cost. I want to do what is right for our residents and I will start each day with the goal of doing what I believe is right for our growing and diverse communities. I humbly ask for your vote. We have lots of important work to do and I am ready to start on day one of my new role.