After Losing In 2018, Reilly Runs For Will County Sheriff Again

JOLIET, IL —Will County Sheriff's Deputy Jim Reilly was the 2018 Republican nominee for Sheriff, but things did not go well on Election Day for county Republicans. Incumbent Sheriff Mike Kelley, a Democrat from Lockport, emerged victorious, easily defeating Reilly, who lives in Wilmington.

Reilly got 102,907 votes, which was 42 percent. Kelley had 142,171 votes, which was 58 percent.

Now, with less than three weeks until the Illinois municipal elections are decided, Reilly is declaring he will be on the election ballot for the 2022 Will County Sheriff race.

He's the first person to make any political campaign announcement concerning the 2022 election.

"It is with a great deal of enthusiasm that I announce my candidacy for Will County Sheriff," Reilly said in Thursday's news release. "During these difficult and confusing times, I feel it is vital for our Will County residents, the law enforcement community and first responders to know there are professional, hard-working community members willing to stand up and fight against the on-going Progressive Democratic movement.

"If left unchallenged, the Illinois liberal agenda will undermine law enforcement, risk the safety of our first responders, and further the progressive Chicago agenda into our Will County communities."

Reilly's campaign for his second run at sheriff states: "As a law enforcement officer for nearly 20 years, I am disgusted by the shady Illinois politics that played out in early January and the resulting misguided political movement. In the name of police reform, Illinois politicians have moved to defund law enforcement and continue their efforts to stain one of our country's most honorable professions. Police administrators, officers, and I understand the need for change within the criminal justice arena. However, the recent political agenda is one of extremism."

Reilly announced that he is committed to fight against House Bill 3653 or any political movement that attempts to weaken or block law enforcement from protecting our families.

"I look forward to running a clean, honest campaign while discussing the issues plaguing the state of Illinois and our Will County community," Reilly announced.

It remains unclear whether Sheriff Kelley will run for a third four-year term of office.

So far, Kelley has not made any political announcements on whether he will run in 2022. Kelley is now in his 34th year with the sheriff's office. He joined the agency in 1988.