Will County Executive Election: Bertino-Tarrant Vs. Ficarello

JOLIET, IL — For the first time in 16 years, a new officeholder will be elected to the most powerful position in Will County government. Earlier this year, four-term Elwood Democrat Larry Walsh died at 72 after a recurring bout with cancer. Walsh's successor will either be outgoing Democrat State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant or Republican Nick Ficarello, a retired Will County Sheriff's investigator who later served as police chief of Braidwood.

Back in the March 17 Democratic primary, Bertino-Tarrant defeated Nick Palmer, Walsh's preferred candidate and longtime chief of staff, by a margin of more than two to one. In recent months, Palmer accepted a different position inside the Will County Building, chief of staff for the Will County Board.

For the past eight years, Bertino-Tarrant, who lives in the Shorewood area, has served as the State Senator for the 49th District. Prior to becoming a senator, Bertino-Tarrant served as the Will County Regional Superintendent of Schools from 2006 to 2012.

"During my time as State Senator, I made sure the entire Will County region was a priority in Springfield by working with community leaders and across party lines," Bertino-Tarrant told Joliet Patch earlier this year. "We have received the lion share of the capital grant program, as well as millions of dollars more in education funding."

What does Bertino-Tarrant envision for Will County's residents if elected Executive?

"My term in office would be a success if residents across our entire diverse county felt represented by our county government," she stated. "For too long, too many parts of this county have been ignored when it comes to representation. I'm running for Will County Executive because I believe that we need a new set of eyes to look at the issues this county faces, and I'll ensure that county government reflects the diversity and values of all people in Will County."

From her perspective, the voters of Will County will find her a trustworthy politician.

"Voters can trust me because I'm proud to stand behind my record, and I'm accountable for the votes that I've taken," Bertino-Tarrant said. "My constituents know that I have always been approachable and honestly address their questions and concerns."

On the Republican side, Ficarello, who lives near Manhattan, ran unopposed in the March Republican primary. The Will County Executive's Office has been held by Democrats since Walsh's 2004 victory over Joe Mikan, a Republican officeholder from Lockport.

During an interview several weeks ago, Ficarello told Patch that he will make repealing Will County's fuel tax a high priority if elected. Last December, Walsh cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of enacting a new 4-cent per gallon fuel tax across Will County.

"Every office is controlled by the Democrats, and it's gotten us higher taxes," Ficarello told Patch this summer. "I think Republicans can win key offices ... I think I proved my leadership as a police officer and as a deputy chief and chief of police at Braidwood, and I think I'm not a career politician."

If Ficarello is elected, he said that the Will County voters won't have to worry about having their county taxes raised during his four-year term of office.

"I'm not for any more taxes," Ficarello told Joliet Patch's editor. "We've got to find a way to get rid of the gasoline taxes. I would immediately move to repeal the 4-cent Will County fuel tax. That will need approval from the County Board."

Ficarello grew up in Joliet, graduating from the old Joliet East High School in 1974.

In the 2014 Republican primary, Ficarello lost by a slim margin to Ken Kaupas in the race to become the next Will County Sheriff. Democrat Mike Kelley went on to defeat Kaupas in the 2014 general election, and Kelley remains in office to this day.

At the moment, all of Will County's key political offices are held by Democrats.

"We don't have to look far to see an example of what happens when one party has complete control. For decades Chicago has been run into the ground by Illinois Democrats. Chicago taxes and debt are out of control, and the Will County Democrats seem hell-bent on doing the same here," Ficarello's campaign website informs voters.

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Related Joliet Patch 2020 election coverage:

Palmer Needs New Job After Huge Bertino-Tarrant Victory

Ficarello: Fuel Tax Repeal If Elected Will County Executive

Bertino-Tarrant: Will County 2020 Executive Candidate

Bertino-Tarrant Pursues County Executive, As Predicted

Joliet Voter Guide 2020