With Larry Walsh Sr.’s announcement last month that he would not seek reelection for Will County executive, candidates lined up to contend for the seat.

The Elwood Democrat has spent decades serving in municipal, county and state government.

Walsh’s recent accomplishments include investments in a new courthouse, a new health department building, a new public safety complex and increased efforts to tackle the opioid epidemic. Walsh and his staff have routinely touted Will County’s role as a national, and even international, economic engine.

With such a revered legacy, the two main Democrats competing to succeed Walsh said they want to continue that record of success. The Republicans, after years of failing to unseat Walsh, want to take back control of county government.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh Sr. announced Thursday that he will not run for reelection in 2020 so he can instead focus on his health. 

Walsh, D-Elwood, made the announcement amid health concerns that he has been facing for the past five years. The 71-year-old said his doctors urged him to focus on getting better.

 He was treated for prostate cancer in 2014 after a diagnosis at a regular medical checkup. Since then, he’s continued getting checkups, and late last year he announced that he had begun chemotherapy treatments after receiving a second prostate cancer diagnosis.

Friday, October 25th, 2019

5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

IBEW Local 176 Hall 

1100 N. I-55 E. Frontage Road, Joliet, IL 60431