Lawrence M. "Larry" Walsh: Candidate Profile

Back to Will County Chief Executive Officer

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:BioQA Bio City: ElwoodWebsite: www.walshforwillcounty.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Will County Chief Executive Officer Age: 68Family: Larry is a lifelong resident of Elwood, IL and continues to farm family property there with his three sons. He is married to the former Irene Quigley and together they have six married children and 19 grandchildren.Occupation: Full Time County Executive; Part Time farmerEducation: Honorary Doctorate of Humanities - Lewis University, Romeoville, ILAssociate Degree - Agriculture Business - Joliet Junior College, Joliet, ILCivic involvement: Will County Center for Economic Development - Board MemberWill County CDBG Board - ChairmanWill County Farm Bureau - MemberJoliet Region Chamber of Commerce - MemberBolingbrook Chamber of Commerce - MemberRomeoville Chamber of Commerce - MemberManhattan Chamber of Commerce - MemberJoliet Exchange Club - MemberEucharistic Minister - St. Rose Church, Wilmington, ILElected offices held: Elwood School Board - 1970-1973Jackson Township Supervisor -- 1973-2004Will County Board -- 1974-1976 and 1992-1994State Senator - 43rd District - 1997-2004Will County Executive - 2004 - presentQuestions 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?My administration has done a great job of being fiscally responsible and moved Will County forward on many levels. I am running for this office because there is still much more to accomplish. I have worked hard to create a business friendly climate to continue to attract businesses and new jobs to our region. I have worked with the County Board to advance many critical capital projects. My administration has worked to consolidate county functions whenever possible to make county government more efficient and effective for the taxpayers. I am excited about the next four years in Will County.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 job and what would your priority be?I have governed with a fiscally conservative approach and created a formal cash reserve policy which resulted in an improved bond rating of AA+. My administration reduced the percentage of the annual budget spent on personal from 81% to approximately 76%. I have set a tone of responsibility for our staff and directed them to continue to find ways to serve the taxpayers in the most efficient and effective way possible. We have created a long-term vision for what Will County will look like the future. We created multi-year capital plans and budgets to support these critical projects.How can the county best manage its growth?Will County remains one of the fastest growing counties in Illinois. The largest challenge we face is balancing the quality of life for our residents while still being business friendly. This must be done in a fiscally responsible way. I have engaged stakeholders to get their perspective on what they feel is our major challenges and facilitated solutions. I have been accessible to the taxpayers.Through strong fiscal management, we continue to average $30 million per year in spending to upgrade county roads. This includes overall expansion of the system and intersection improvements which make our roadways safer for everyone.Describe your position on transparency in the office and the ease of access to records by the public. If you believe improvements are needed, what are they and how would you go about achieving them?I believe strongly in transparency and have worked consistently to expand the public's access to information. We have expanded this access via an improved county website, social media, and other mediums. I have hosted a cable show that brings important issues to the public.Working with our County Auditor, Will County was recognized with a Sunshine award for the wealth of information that is available to the public.Finally, we have hosted many public forums for residents to give feedback. This is another way to engage the public and continue the dialogue on important issues facing our communities.Please list any elected office you've ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?Elwood School Board - electedJackson Township Supervisor - elected 1973-2004Will County Board -- elected twice and lost twiceIllinois State Senator -- appointed in 1997 and elected in 1998, 2002What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?When I first ran for County Executive I believed Will County needed a full-time leader who would dedicate the time necessary to lead a fast growing county. Not every candidate has this as a priority.Maintaining a business friendly approach that balances the quality of life for our residents with the challenges of continued investment in our infrastructure requires a strong commitment each day. I believe in working with everyone regardless of political party, where they live, or where they are in their life's journey. By working together we can achieve great things.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.President Obama was my seatmate while I served in the State Senate. I may not agree with him on every issue, but he inspires me.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Growing up on a farm I learned the meaning of hard work at an early age.. Farming has taught me many important life lessons.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Farming and politics took me away from home often and this kept me from my children's activities. I would spend more time with them.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I enjoyed American history and learning more about the creation of our great country. I especially liked studying the Civil War and World War II.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I have taught my children to work hard and be thankful for what you have. Treat others with respect and be honest with one another.