Denise Winfrey elected NACo second vice president

JOLIET – Will County Executive Denise Winfrey was elected second vice president of the National Association of Counties (NACo) during a virtual meeting on Monday, July 20, a post that will elevate Will County’s stature on the national scene.

“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,” said Winfrey.  “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 serves nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees as a national advocacy association for county governments.  Founded in 1935, NACo is a united voice to advocate for county interests at the federal level, promote exemplary county policies, nurture leadership skills, optimize county and taxpayer resources, and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.

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

Winfrey is serving as County Executive until after the Nov. 3 general election and installation of the new executive. She was appointed to finish the term of County Executive Larry Walsh, who died June 3. Winfrey is running unopposed for her District 8 seat and will return to the County Board and the position she has held since 2009.

The Will County Board passed a resolution in December supporting then-Speaker Winfrey for the NACo position.

At that time, Executive Walsh said, “Not only will Denise Winfrey bring recognition to the state of Illinois, she will help give Will County a bigger and stronger voice on the national stage of counties across America.”

Winfrey has been a member of NACo since 2009 and has served in multiple leadership roles during that time.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors and on the Large Urban Counties Caucus and is vice chair of community economic and workforce development.