March 28, 2024
Local News

Foster bill would name Elwood post office for Larry Walsh

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, introduced a bill Friday to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility in Elwood after Larry Walsh Sr., the longtime Will County official who died earlier this year.

The bill would name the post office building at 303 E. Mississippi Ave. the “Lawrence M. ‘Larry’ Walsh Sr. Post Office,” according to the bill.

Walsh died June 3 at age 72, after battling prostate cancer.

“Larry’s passion for public service and dedication to his neighbors was apparent every time I met with him, and I know his legacy will serve as inspiration to many,” Foster said in a news release. “Simply put, Will County is a better place today because of the decades of work Larry did to strengthen Will County communities and lend a helping hand to those who needed one.”

Foster said in an interview that he felt the legislation was “very appropriate,” considering Walsh was “one of the heroes of Will County.”

The congressman said Walsh’s family was strongly supportive of the bill.

Walsh’s career in public service dates back to the 1970s.

He served as a member of the Elwood School Board, as Jackson Township supervisor, twice as a Will County Board member and as an Illinois state senator from the 43rd District from 1997 to 2005.

He had served as Will County executive since 2004 and announced last year that he would not seek reelection to that office because of his ongoing health issues.

Foster said he hopes to have the entire Illinois congressional delegation co-sponsor the bill.

Alex Ortiz

Alex Ortiz

Alex Ortiz is a reporter for The Herald-News in Joliet. Originally from Romeoville, Ill., he joined The Herald-News in 2017 and mostly covers Will County government, politics, education and more. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master's degree from Northwestern University.