Sean Talbot: Will Co. Coroner Candidate 2020 Election

Sean Talbot is seeking to win the March 17 Democratic primary against Laurie Summers in his bid to become the next Will County Coroner. After seven terms in office, Patrick K. O'Neil announced that he would not seek another four-year term. O'Neil is endorsing Talbot's opponent, who previously served on the Will County Board and now works as a deputy coroner.

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

Age: 53

Town/City: Shorewood

Office sought: County office

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: My wife is Kelley and my three step children are Matthew (18 Senior in High School), Nathan (16), Kayla (13). Matthew is going to vocational school through Minooka High School to study Fire Science, with plans of becoming a fireman.

My three children reside in Michigan, Emma (25), Wes (23) and Hayden (20). Emma and Wes are graduates of Michigan State University. Emma is testing to become a DNR Officer in Michigan and Wes is currently a police officer in the East Lansing area, Hayden is 20 and a junior at Michigan State University with aspirations of becoming a Police Officer.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife is assigned to the Investigations Division of the Romeoville Police Department where she has worked for 21 years. That’s the closest to any government job any of my family has had.

Education: I attended St. Paul The Apostle, Joliet Catholic Academy, Purdue University BA in Criminal Justice, Lewis University work toward Masters in Criminal Social Justice.

Occupation: Bolingbrook Police Sergeant

Campaign website: Seantalbotforcoroner.com

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

The single most pressing issue facing the Coroner’s Office is the opioid epidemic. I intend to try and attack this head-on with early education, prevention, enforcement and treatment. I would like to continue the education program the office has now, but expand it to be county-wide in our schools and communities. Assist local Law Enforcement wherever possible, and have an active role in the county treatment programs currently being used.

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

I have 30 years of experience and training in investigating deaths; 18 of those years were spent working part-time as a death investigator with the Will County Coroner’s Office. In that position at the coroner’s office, I responded to the scene of the deceased, was responsible for removal of the deceased, paperwork regarding the death, working with the law enforcement agency involved and notifying next of kin of the death. During that time, I conducted hundreds of death investigations ranging from homicides, suicides, traffic fatalities, overdoses, nursing home deaths, correctional institution deaths, sudden infant deaths (SIDS), accidental deaths (Not related to Motor Vehicles), fire deaths, and natural deaths.

The coroner, by definition is a Law Enforcement Officer; the highest-ranking Law Enforcement officer in the county. This is a position that works closely with local Law Enforcement and Medical Professionals in death investigation. The Coroner’s office is then tasked with hiring Forensic Pathologists to conduct autopsy’s, a lab to conduct toxicology testing, and any other medical professionals to ensure an accurate and comprehensive investigation into deaths falling under the Coroner’s authority.

My opponent has no Death Investigation Experience, she has only worked in the confines of a hospital as a Nurse, taking care of sick people. She was hired by the coroner’s office in October, 2019 as a deputy chief coroner. The position she currently holds was offered to me twice in the last four years by Pat O’Neil; I was unable to take the position because the incumbent would not commit to whether or not he would seek re-election. During my 18 years with the coroner’s office I have assisted in Autopsies, collected specimens, and facilitated the donation of long bones, tissue, and corneas between families and Gift of Hope.

I’ve made death notifications to families in the middle of the night, stood with them in the morgue because they request to see their loved one shortly after the incident, and called them on the phone to give them autopsy results. I have 20 years of CSI experience, I am a lead Homicide investigator and was part of the Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force. I am currently part of the MABAS division 15 Fire/Arson investigation task force which is comprised of fire departments from Will County.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My campaign platform is to encourage voters to elect the most qualified person for the job. Just because Pat O’Neil is endorsing my opponent, does not mean she is the most qualified person for the job. There are a lot of people that were loyal to Pat O’Neil and I am one of them. O’Neil has served the community well and he has done a good job. My qualifications and decades of experience supersede my opponents four months of experience during her recent employment by the coroner’s office.

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

The accomplishments in my past that will allow me to handle this job are my continued promotion during my career, starting as a patrol officer, then evidence technician, SWAT officer, community policing officer, tactical officer, detective, SWAT team leader, Sniper & Sniper team leader, Will/Grundy Major crimes task force member, lead homicide investigator, and currently a Sergeant in charge of a patrol shift . As a Firefighter/EMT I was promoted to Lieutenant, then promoted to the dive team leader and then Fire/Arson Investigator. All of these positions came with extensive responsibility, including leadership skills, task orienting, accountability and budgeting plans. With all the aforementioned promotions, I earned awards that show my dedication and commitment to my multiple careers.

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

My accomplishment that would make my term in office a success would be, successfully bringing the Coroner’s office into the 21st century. This would include technology updates, training updates, physical plant updates or accusition, expanding the office to better cover the East side of the county with Coroner’s deputies, which would reduce response times for families and Law enforcement; and adding a facility for holding decedents. Transparency of all coroner operation’s for Will County residents, successfully addressing the opioid epidemic to reduce the number of deaths in the county, and to try to do all this with government grant funding, so as not to impact the Will County residents financially.

Why should voters trust you?

I take pride in serving my community and have done so with integrity. I chose to lead my team on my shift by example and I am a team player. I believe in the people I lead and strive to create a professional bond with them while on shift. I have developed many life-time bonds and friendships in my career in police, fire and at the coroner’s office. I love serving the community and I do so by being considerate and compassionate in all areas of my jobs. I aim to treat people the way I would want my family members treated when dealing with difficult situations and believe I have achieved this over the years.

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

I believe in exploring other avenues for funding that would not put the burden on the tax payers. I would take advantage of the multiple grant programs available to accomplish the goals I have previously mentioned.

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

There is no reason I would not serve a full term in office.

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

I am a hands-on leader, I would never ask my employees to do anything that I would not be willing to do myself. I plan on being out there, in the field, side by side with my Deputies, in the public eye, doing the job. I will not be a figure-head in the office all day. I am a hands-on person.