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Lawrence Walsh: Candidate Profile

Will Chief Executive Officer (Democrat)

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: ElwoodWebsite: http://www.walshforwillcounty.comOffice sought: Will Chief Executive OfficerAge: 64Family: Larry is a lifelong resident of Elwood, IL, and continues to farm family property there with three of his sons. He is married to the former Irene Quigley and together they have six married children and 18 grandchildren.Occupation: I am a full time County Executive.Education: Honorary Doctorate of Humanities - Lewis University, Romeoville, IL Associate Degree - Agriculture Business - Joliet Junior College, Joliet, ILCivic involvement: Will County Center for Economic Development - Board Member Will County CDBG Board - Chairman Will County Farm Bureau - Member Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce - Member Bolingbrook Chamber - Member Romeoville Chamber - Member Manhattan Chamber - Member Joliet Exchange Club - Member Eucharistic Minister - St Rose Church, Wilmington, ILElected offices held: Will County Executive - 2004 - present Illinois State Senator (43rd district) - 1997 - 2004 Jackson Township Supervisor - 1973 - 2004 Elwood School Board - 1970 -1973 Will County Board Member - 1974-1976 and 1992-1994Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Yes, I was arrested for a DUI in 2008.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I will maintain the fiscal responsibility and controls I brought when first elected and continue pushing towards a AAA bond rating for Will County. When I started we had insufficient cash reserves to get through the year. By controlling our expenses and monitoring revenues, we built very sufficient reserves. We passed a formal cash reserve policy and surpassed targets for the past four years, despite delays in state funding and the economic downturn. The result was an improved bond rating to AA+, reduced interest costs on borrowing, and no longer needing bond insurance. Due to our conservative fiscal approach, we were able to retire the last of our direct debt this year. With our fiscal house in order and maintaining a fiscally conservative operation, we must now work to create opportunities for our citizens in all areas of the county. This will be done through strategic infrastructure investments and working with the business community to create jobs for our residents.Key Issue 2 I will continue to promote sustainable government operations and lifestyles. As part of a federal recovery program, Will County created www.willcountygreen.com which provides information to visitors on how to live more sustainable lifestyles and save money. Information related to retrofitting, recycling and other green steps are explained. In addition, I am proud that we have surpassed the 5 million pound mark for recycled electronic materials. These materials would have previously gone into the county?s landfill. Working with a public-private partnership Will County built, and is operating, a gas-to-energy plant on the County landfill. This nationally recognized cooperative effort is utilizing a resource that was previously burned off and has created a new revenue source to fund future sustainability projects. This all is being done without using taxpayer funds. This public-private model will guide future efforts to improve services using these types of partnerships.Key Issue 3 Accountabilty has always been a priority for me. Our taxpayers expect government to be efficient, effective, and transparent. This concept applies to all that we do in Will County government. As we proceed on planning for a new airport near Peotone, or with the planning and construction of the Illiana roadway, we must ensure that this work is advanced in an open and transparent way. These efforts will create economic opportunities and jobs, but we must be accountable to the impacts on our resident's quality of life. I will work to maintain this balance and move Will County forward. In the daily operations of County government we must be accountable for improving efficiencies and making our services more accessible to our residents. My administration has put more information on our websites so that residents can access their government from the comfort of their own homes. One examples of this is the posting of all the names and information related to the Boards and Commissions that are appointed by my office. The Will County Land Use department undertook major rewrites of the Will County zoning ordinance. Throughout this effort, information was available online and residents could offer their comments and suggestions. This interactive form of communication results in more efficient and effective government. Recently Will County was recognized for these efforts with the Sunny Award, which honors the most transparent government websites in the nation. This aware came from the Sunshine Review, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to government transparency.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?I have lived a life of public service and I believe in service to others. Working together with those in the public and the private sector we can create the community we all want to live in and raise our families. I believe residents are our number one priority and we must continue to work to bring government to the people. This can be accomplished by putting more information out on the internet or by bringing services directly to the people. In doing this, taxpayers receive their services easier and government is serving their needs. Will County has great examples of this drive to bring services to the people. I have worked with our Workforce Services Division, whose mission is to help job seekers find jobs and employers find qualified applicants. Our Workforce Division operates a RV vehicle that travels to the various communities bringing services closer to residents. Our staff brings the services to the residents rather the residents having to always come to the service. Similarly, thanks to a federal grant that we sought, the Will County Health department operates a Dental service van that also brings dentists and their assistants to local residents throughout Will County so that critical services can be accessed locally. I am passionate about working to continue to streamline operations and improve efficiences through an accountable method of service delivery. I will continue these efforts to hold the line on expenses while addressing the large population increases that we have seen over the past years.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?As County Executive of the fastest growing county by population in the State of Illinois, and one of the fastest growing nationally, Walsh believes that it is vital that Will County take an active approach to responsible growth and regional development. The Walsh administration continues working to balance the desire to develop new businesses and homes with the need to keep good farm land available and preserve open space. Larry Walsh has been a leader for sustainable practices for county government and has made Will County one of the greenest counties in the region. With the growth in Will County, the County Executive position must be filled by someone who wants to give a full time effort. As County Executive, Walsh has worked to develop partnerships with local municipalities, state officials, and the federal government. These partnerships will be the key to keeping up with the rapid growth Will County continues to face. Walsh was elected President of Metro Counties of Illinois, a consortium of the 14th largest counties in the state. Throughout his notable career, Walsh has been hailed for his ability to work in a bipartisan fashion and create real solutions. He continues to be recognized for his advocacy on critical issues, including senior rights/services, special needs/disability/access; and agricultural concerns.How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?Will County is one of the fastest growing counties in Illinois and in the country. With this growth has come incredible pressure on county services. From our criminal justice system to our county health department to our many roads and bridges, we are being pushed to do more with less. I do believe very strongly in partnerships and working with the private sector.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes? Do you think county board members should receive pensions? If not, would be willing to pledge not to take one?I belive our County Board members are adequately paid. I would not propose any changes at this point. It is important to note that we have tried to work cooperatively with our County Board to address the challenges Will County faces and put any differences aside. This past year we did complete the remap of our County Board districts that is required following the census. Ultimately, we decided to reduce our county board from 27 members to 26 members. The composition of the board changed from a 9 district, 3 member board to a 13 district, 2 member board. This process was done in a bipartisan fashion and resulted in a good map that keeps communities as whole as possible. We believe this new map will serve Will County well during the next 10 years.This field intentionally left blank.Candidate did not respond.