Will County's Next Sheriff: Will Jungles Succeed Mike Kelley?

JOLIET, IL — Dan Jungles, the chief deputy of criminal investigations at the Will County Sheriff's Office under three-term Sheriff Mike Kelley, announced on Thursday that he intends to be the Democratic Party candidate in the 2026 elections to replace Kelley.

Kelley has made it clear that this four-year term of office will be his last. Jungles said he has been on the sheriff's department since 1999. He grew up Homer Township and attended Lockport schools. Nowadays, he lives in Channahon. Jungles has climbed the ranks of the sheriff's office over the years, serving as a sergeant and lieutenant before being appointed as the chief deputy in 2017.

Jungles said he decided to announce his candidacy for Will County Sheriff this early because he is stepping down as the chairman of the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force. Jungles recently completed training at the FBI National Academy. He was in Virginia from late March until early June.

Even though the election for sheriff remains three years away, Jungles said he fully expects Mike Kelley will remain in office. "My assumption is he's fully committed and plans on staying until the end of his term," Jungles said of his boss. "I don't anticipate him leaving early."

Jungles said he did not want to go into great length about his campaign platform or key issues given that the election remains years away. "I don't want to say a whole lot because it's so early," Jungles said. "I just thought this was a good time to announce (my candidacy) because I am stepping away from the task force."

He did say one of his goals is to improve the mental health programs and wellness offerings available for employees at the sheriff's office.

"Things that the general public may see and experience once, deputies and first-responders, we could experience 10 times a day," Jungles explained.

Jungles said that Kevin McQuaid of the Plainfield Police Department will be taking over as the new chairman of the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force.