Campaign Phone
708-372-6902
I have worked in law enforcement since 2008 starting in Lemont, IL under Chief Kevin Shaughnessy. While also employed as a manager of a restaurant where I was in charge of day to day operations. This included scheduling, supply ordering, prepping and employee compensation. I have worked full time on the road for the last 11 years. I have handled calls ranging from alarms, armed robbery, abuse, theft, elder abuse and scams. Working on the front line gives me an exclusive insight on issues challenging to front line employees.
My top two issues is going to be focused on morale within the department along with transparency for the public, because we need to be accountable to the tax payers of this county. I find that these are the most common concerns from within the department and also from the outside of the department. I also want to focus more of the safety of our children especially with all of the technologies that they have access to in today's world. Child predators should be a priority target of preventative care for our youth in our county. As a Father to two young children, I take this issue seriously. We have access to federal resources that should be implemented and secured for free to use.
I want to bring in a "Friday's With Frank" style of weekly video's; That will give possible recruits a view of what the Sheriff's office does.
We need to have supportive roles to assist women during their most difficult times in their lives. My open door policy will also give the public access to me and any services we provide.
I am a man of the constitution. I believe that we should encourage women to learn as much as possible when it comes to fire arms. I am not a fan of banning fire arms. Criminals already do not follow the law and additional laws on the law abiding seems unfair to me.
Dr. James Reilly is a highly accomplished law enforcement professional with over 23 years of extensive experience. He currently serves in the Enforcement Division at WCSP.
His expertise extends to working as an investigator with the federal and state Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). In this capacity, he led high-profile investigations in Will County, tackling cases involving murder, gang activity, organized crime, and the dismantling of one of the county’s largest racketeering and narcotics operations, where he served as a co-case agent.
Beyond law enforcement, Dr. Reilly is a published author dedicated to education and community engagement. He is an adjunct professor and stands out as a leader in law enforcement.
1) Introducing Community Policing will be a core priority of my administration. It begins with leadership and deputies actively engaging neighborhoods to build familiarity, trust, and accountability.
2) Support Law Enforcement While Respecting Individuals’ Constitutional Rights.
We can be tough on crime and faithful to the Constitution at the same time. I will ensure deputies are properly trained, equipped, and supported, while also protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms.
3) Save taxpayers money and improve public safety through intelligence-led policing. By focusing resources on areas with higher crime trends, we can be more efficient and effective. A proactive Sheriff’s Office that works closely with the community strengthens trust.
Recruiting and retaining high-quality deputies is essential to keeping Will County safe. I will implement new, well-written policies that make the Sheriff’s Office a place where dedicated deputies want to serve and build a career. This includes advocating for competitive compensation and benefits that reflect the risks associated with being in law enforcement every day. There should be opportunity for professional development, leadership training, and career advancement, without political influence. Officers need to work in an environment of strong leadership and accountability, where honesty and integrity guide every decision and favoritism or politics have no home.
All first responders play a critical role in addressing serious crimes such as domestic violence and sexual assault. Deputies must treat these calls as a priority, responding rapidly while safely securing the scene and all parties involved as soon as possible. This may include separating involved parties, medical attention, and making arrests when warranted to protect victims and to prevent further harm.
The Sheriff’s Department also has a duty to conduct professional, thorough criminal investigations.
Through strong community policing efforts, such as the ones outlined in my recently published book, we can further educate the public about available resources and support programs while sending a clear message to potential offenders.
The Second Amendment is not negotiable, and law-abiding citizens have the right to own and carry firearms. The problem on our streets is not legal gun ownership, it’s criminals who illegally possess, traffic, and misuse guns.
Deputies and specialized units should prioritize violent gun crimes, while identifying the repeat felons who often are arrested numerous times with little to no consequences, especially under the failed Safe-T-Act.
Also, I intend to adopt intelligence-led policing efforts, which will help deputies identify and respond to areas that are being impacted by violent crimes, drug trafficking, and crimes against persons, including weapons violations.
