(L-R): Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant; Illinois Representative Harry Benton; Pace Director Jeff Schielke; Pace Director Terrance Carr; Frank Walsh; Irene Walsh; Illinois Representative Larry Walsh, Jr.; Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski; Pace Director John Noak; Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger; Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy
Memorial plaque is on display outside the front entrance of the Joliet Transit Center
JOLIET, IL – Earlier today, Pace hosted a dedication ceremony to honor the late Larry M. Walsh, Sr. Members of the Walsh family, including Illinois State Representative Larry Walsh, Jr., attended the event to help unveil a plaque for the former Illinois State Senator and Will County Executive. A staunch advocate for Pace, Walsh, Sr. played an integral role in securing authorization for buses to use the shoulder of Interstate 55 and bolster Pace service.
Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski welcomed guests and spoke fondly of Walsh, Sr., who was a close friend, noting how Pace and many community leaders gathered together four years ago in Will County to commemorate Walsh, Sr.’s legacy and vowed then to make a formal dedication in Larry’s honor.
“Thanks to Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly for passing Rebuild Illinois, we are here today to formally honor Larry Walsh, Sr., at our new Joliet Transit Center,” Chairman Kwasneski said. “Larry’s support for transportation was always at the forefront of his tenure as a state senator and also as a Will County executive. His support for Bus on Shoulder on I-55 helped provide northern Will County, in particular Plainfield, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville, with a true commuter option. Larry was a true friend to public transit and to me personally, and we all miss him every day.”
Moments later, his son, Walsh, Jr., spoke at the podium to recount his father’s dedication to public service before unveiling the memorial plaque in Walsh, Sr.’s honor. He was joined by his mother, Irene, and brother, Frank.
“I just want to say thank you. Fifty years of public service goes a long way. There were a lot of sacrifices in the Walsh family over those years. When you get involved in politics and public service, those constituent needs go far and beyond. I know Dad did respond to his constituents every time he needed to,” Representative Walsh, Jr., said. “I wish he was here. A life’s work that gets recognized is a true accomplishment.”
A dedicated public servant of more than 50 years and a lifelong resident of Will County, Walsh, Sr. was known for his bipartisan approach to governing. He built a reputation for working collaboratively to find solutions at every level of government he served. Walsh, Sr. began his public service at age 21 on the Elwood School Board and went on to serve as a Jackson Township Supervisor, a Will County Board member, an Illinois Senator, and finally as Will County’s longest serving County Executive.
Beyond his advocacy for Pace, Walsh, Sr. was a driving force behind the expansion of paratransit service across Will County, especially the eastern portion. His commitment to expanding paratransit services for seniors and residents with disabilities helped ensure greater access to safe and reliable public transportation, enhancing the quality of life for all in Will County.
Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger said, “I only knew County Executive Walsh at the latter stages of his career, but I truly appreciated his down-to-earth demeanor, sense of humor, and his professional partnership. I was grateful for his support as we implemented successful programs in Will County, such as Pace’s I-55 bus-on-shoulder service, a new bus garage in Plainfield, the coordinated dial-a-ride programs, as well as this transit center we gather in today.”
Distinguished guest speakers included Pace Director and Mayor of Romeoville John Noak and Pace Director and Mayor of Batavia Jeff Schielke, who spoke about Walsh, Sr.’s regional perspective to governing, as well as Mayor of Joliet Terry D’Arcy and Illinois Representative Harry Benton. Mayor D'Arcy shared how Walsh, Sr. was instrumental in developing the Joliet Transit Center and also how much he influenced his public service career.
The Joliet Transit Center opened in December 2021, with a memorable ribbon-cutting ceremony including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Governor JB Pritzker in 2022. This $9.7 million project was largely funded by Rebuild Illinois. Thanks to this critical funding and collaboration with the City of Joliet, transit users now have a convenient, safe, and attractive facility, with amenities like restrooms and real-time bus departure data screens.
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Pace Suburban Bus safely and efficiently moves people to work, school, and other regional destinations with its family of public transportation services. Pace offers affordable and environmentally responsible transit options for the residents of 274 municipalities in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties. The backbone of Chicago's suburbs, Pace serves tens of thousands of daily riders. One of the largest bus services in North America, Pace covers 3,677 square miles, an area nearly the size of the state of Connecticut and about 15 times the size of the City of Chicago. Pace's innovative approach to public transportation gives the agency a national reputation as an industry leader.