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.
Campaign Phone
8153411836
I have served with the Will County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years, gaining experience in various roles. My career includes working in Corrections, Patrol, as a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), and as a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. I have also served as a SWAT Sniper and currently hold the position of Assistant Team Leader with our Crisis Negotiation Team. I am a Sergeant in the Patrol Division and am committed to ensuring safety and effective community engagement through these roles.
The top two issues facing the sheriff's office is lack of diversity and mental health. In regards to the issue of lack of diversity we need to attend community events, have a consistent presence in schools, and attend job fairs. We currently have a phenomenal Sergeant who attends these, but I believe she should have more of a voice on what she feels the best strategies are for recruiting and I want to ensure she will be uplifted, valued and supported. Secondly, mental health needs to be addressed. The SAFE-T act put in a mental health component and we need at a minimum follow those guidelines. All officers should have recurring mental health training and resources to support their own mental health .
If elected sheriff the first policy I would recommend would be a mental health policy. Officers should always have access to mental healthcare due to the stress of the job. Each year would entail a fitness for duty to ensure they are properly trained when working for the public. Secondly, advocating to improve benefit package and working with the Will County Board. Our officers deserve to be paid more on par with other counties and have better benefit packages to help with retention and recruitment. Thirdly, to recruit and retain deputies we need to improve the culture of the sheriff's office and make sure the sheriff and all leadership team are present to support and uplift all deputies and make sure there is adequate representation.
The Will County Sheriff's office should put proper institutions in place for women and people experiencing domestic abuse. We need to have programs to address these 4 components-1. correct law enforcement action for offenders. 2. mental health programs to offer help for victims free of charge. 3. financial institutions to help women get out of the situation and help with relocation. 4. working with the schools for those who have children. These same components should also be there for survivors of sexual assault as well as making sure we close all sexual assault cases and continue to provide education and training for a dedicated sexual assault investigative team that can continue to offer support for survivors.
As a person in law enforcement who has been ambushed by gunfire, I support legislation and firearms-related measures that keep guns out of the hands of those who are not qualified to be safe gun owners. I support this stance because not only does this protect the members of the Sheriff's Office it also protects our fellow community members.
Campaign Phone
815-978-2611
I have close to 27 years of law enforcement and executive leadership experiences for the role of Will County Sheriff. I currently serve as Undersheriff, overseeing the day-to-day operations of one of the largest sheriff’s offices in Illinois, including patrol, investigations, corrections, court security, budgeting, staffing, labor relations, and policy development. I began my career in the jail as a deputy, transitioned to patrol, and worked my way through the ranks, giving me a firsthand understanding of patrol, jail operations, and investigations. I have managed large budgets, led hundreds of employees, implemented accountability and transparency measures, and worked collaboratively with municipal, county, state, and federal partners.
Increasing transparency at the WCSO is my top priority. Delays in releasing information and Body Worn Camera footage from officer-involved shootings and critical incidents have damaged public trust. As Sheriff, I will make it policy to release all applicable videos and information within seven days so the public can draw their own conclusions. Second, I will continue investing in modern technology that helps deputies solve crimes and keep communities safe. I have seen how tools like advanced DNA analysis, license plate readers, and improved evidence processing dramatically increase solvability rates. Finally, I will aggressively pursue grant funding for personnel, programs, and equipment to reduce reliance on taxpayer dollars.
I will advocate for a comprehensive recruitment and retention strategy focused on competitiveness, support, and professional growth. This includes improved pay and benefits where possible, expanding hiring incentives, and streamlining the recruitment process to attract qualified candidates faster. I will prioritize officer wellness by strengthening mental health resources, peer support, and work-life balance initiatives. Retention also requires opportunity, so I will promote clear career pathways, expanded training, and leadership development. I will also foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and respect, where deputies feel valued, supported, and proud to build a long-term career with the Will County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff's Office plays a critical role in protecting, supporting, and empowering women experiencing domestic abuse and sexual assault. It starts at response by prioritizing the victim safety, dignity, and confidentiality. Deputies must be well trained to recognize abuse, properly document evidence, and connect victims immediately with advocacy groups, shelters, medical care, and counseling services. The Sheriff’s Office has social workers that work closely with prosecutors, courts, and community partners to ensure accountability for offenders while supporting victims through the justice process. Just as important is prevention, through education, outreach, and early intervention in order to break cycles of violence and build trust.
As a law enforcement professional, my focus is on public safety and keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals who should not have them. I support reasonable, evidence-based state and federal legislation that strengthens background checks, closes loopholes, and enhances penalties for those who illegally possess or traffic firearms. Tougher restrictions are clearly needed for people who pose a danger to themselves or others, including violent offenders and those prohibited by law. At the same time, any firearms-related measures should be practical, enforceable, and respectful of constitutional rights, while giving law enforcement the tools needed to prevent gun violence and protect our communities.
