Denise Winfrey Sworn in as Interim Will County Executive

Joliet, IL — Will County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey, a Joliet Democrat, was sworn in as the interim Will County executive during Monday's special meeting, making her the first woman and the first minority to serve in the role.

Winfrey succeeds Larry Walsh, who died June 3 after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. She will serve out the rest of his term. Walsh served as the Will County executive for 16 years.

“Today was a difficult day,” Winfrey said. “We have lost a dear friend in Larry Walsh, and I can think of no one who loved Will County more. We have a duty as elected officials to keep the business of our county going.”

This marks the first time a county executive has died while in office. Although a formal succession policy was not already in place, Winfrey acknowledged that one should be set going forward. County board member Jim Moustis, a Republican from Frankfort, expressed his regret and concern for the Walsh family regarding the speed of Winfrey’s appointment.

“We do not want to appear insensitive to the family for making this decision even before Larry’s funeral, but it is important to keep the operations of county government going,” Moustis said. “Larry always wanted what was best for Will County and its residents, and I think he would want to keep our county moving forward.”

In taking on this role, Winfrey will now oversee 20 county departments and 2,300 employees. Additionally, she will preside over the monthly county board meetings and serve as the official representative of the county for all contractual and legal agreements.

In addition to filling the County Board Speaker role, the county board members must also elect a member of the Democratic Party from District 8, which is another seated vacated by Winfrey on the county board.

Image via the Will County Executive Office