Bertino-Tarrant wins Democratic nomination for Will County Executive

Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant won the Democratic nomination in the race to be the next Will County executive.

Bertino-Tarrant, a state senator, defeated Nick Palmer, the chief of staff to the current county executive, Larry Walsh, who decided not to run for reelection for the seat he’s held since 2004.

Bertino-Tarrant earned 69% of the vote as of Tuesday night, with Palmer receiving 31% of the vote.

“Today, Democratic primary voters endorsed our vision to foster economic development, uphold our democratic values and stand with working families,” Bertino-Tarrant said in a written statement. “I want to thank our many volunteers for their tireless work helping our campaign deliver our message to voters.”

Palmer congratulated Bertino-Tarrant on her victory. He said he was disappointed in the results and pointed out he was at a disadvantage in terms of name recognition and money.

“She beat me pretty strong across the county, and it [stinks],” Palmer said Tuesday night. “I mean, I’m still proud of the campaign I ran.”

Bertino-Tarrant had been elected to a seat in the Illinois Senate representing the 49th District, where she first was elected in 2012. Palmer had worked under Walsh since he became the county executive in 2004.

She will face former Braidwood police chief Nick Ficarello in the general election in November.

Will County Coroner

Former Will County Board member Laurie Summers won the Democratic nomination to be the next county coroner.

She defeated Bolingbrook police officer Sean Talbot by a margin of 78% to 21%.

The two clashed on areas of qualifications and loyalty to the Democratic party. They also spoke to the need to improve the office, including getting a bigger morgue.

Summers and Talbot ran to replace longtime coroner Patrick O’Neil, a Democrat, who decided not to run for reelection. He first was elected to that seat in 1992.

Summers will go on to face Republican James Piacentini in the general election in November.

Will County Board District 3

Margaret Tyson and Joel Brown appear to be the Democratic nominees to represent the 3rd District on the Will County Board.

Tyson, the lone incumbent in the race, garnered 51% of the vote. Brown won 26% of the vote with the third-place finisher, Rick Gougis, earning 22% of the vote.

Because there were no Republicans running to represent the district, which includes parts of Romeoville and Bolingbrook, Tyson and Brown likely will be the members sitting on the board.

Tyson was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in 2019.