Will County executive Winfrey elected to national leadership role

Interim Will County Executive Denise Winfrey was elected second vice president of the National Association of Counties during a virtual meeting on Monday, a post that will elevate the county's stature on the national scene.

NACo serves nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees as a national advocacy association for county governments, according to a news release.

“I am excited to have the confidence of the voters representing almost 570 NACo member counties who participated in the virtual meeting and supported me with their votes,” Winfrey said in the news release. “I am proud to be serving in this position and proud of the recognition that Will County will receive among counties across the country.”

NACo was founded to unite advocacy for county interests at the federal level, promote exemplary policies, nurture leadership skills, optimize taxpayer resources, and enrich the public's understanding of county government.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle nominated Winfrey to the role. As part of a four-year commitment, Winfrey is in line to become NACo president in 2022.

Winfrey is serving as county executive until after the Nov. 3 election and the installation of a new executive. She was appointed to finish the term of Larry Walsh, who died on June 3.

Winfrey is running unopposed for reelection to her Will County Board seat, a position she had held since 2009.

The county board voted to support Winfrey's run for the NACo role in December.