Endorsement: Noonan for DuPage County sheriff

With DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick not seeking reelection, two veteran cops are looking to replace him.

Peter Coolidge, a retired DuPage sheriff’s deputy from West Chicago, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Meanwhile, former DuPage County Board member Sean Noonan defeated DuPage Undersheriff Eddie Moore during the Republican primary.

Both Noonan and Coolidge are impressive candidates with plenty of law enforcement experience.

Over the course of 24 years in police work, Noonan spent most of his career with the Bloomingdale Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to become a sergeant. Now he works for the Oakbrook Terrace Police Department.

Coolidge spent nearly 28 years with the sheriff’s office before retiring as a deputy in 2024. He served in all three of the department’s bureaus and held positions at the jail, courthouse and patrol division.

Because of his time with the sheriff’s office, Coolidge says he understands every phase of its operation and knows its strengths and weaknesses.

If elected, Coolidge said he will build “an outstanding“ management team to help him, including a dedicated finance director to oversee the department’s budget. He said he will work to boost morale and pursue several initiatives. One of his goals is to create a unit dedicated to responding to domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

Noonan says he’s held numerous leadership positions during his career and has received extensive law enforcement training and education. He also gained valuable experience during his eight years as a DuPage County Board member. He understands budgeting and knows how to work with county leaders and department heads.

If elected, Noonan promises to come in as a reformer, emphasizing his assertion that the sheriff’s office needs new leadership.

His priorities include ensuring that deputies have the training, resources and support they need to respond effectively to crimes. He also wants to recruit and retain deputies while motivating and mentoring current staff.

Coolidge agrees steps must be taken to hire and keep deputies. He suggests improving benefit packages for employees.

Both say they will work to improve communication with the county board. In addition, they each promise to improve openness and transparency when dealing with the public and media.

Coolidge and Noonan are both impressive candidates with interesting ideas and a desire to serve and protect. Despite Coolidge’s direct experience with the sheriff’s office, Noonan has the education, training and background as a former elected official to lead the department and implement reforms.

Noonan is endorsed.