Will County Board
302 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432
815.740.4602
CountyBoard@willcountyillinois.com
  • Home
  • About the Board
    • Board Members >
      • Steve Balich
      • Julie Berkowicz
      • Herbert Brooks, Jr.
      • Natalie Coleman
      • Mimi Cowan
      • Mica Freeman
      • Mike Fricilone
      • Gretchen Fritz
      • Don Gould
      • Kenneth Harris
      • Amanda Koch
      • Debbie Kraulidis
      • Tyler Marcum
      • Raquel M. Mitchell
      • Jim Moustis
      • Meta Mueller
      • Sherry Newquist
      • Judy Ogalla
      • Annette Parker
      • Frankie Pretzel
      • Jacqueline Traynere
      • Margaret Tyson
      • Joe VanDuyne
      • Rachel Ventura
      • Tom Weigel
      • Denise Winfrey
    • District Maps
    • Mission, Vision, Values
    • Policies
  • Meetings
    • Board Meetings
    • Caucus Meetings (Democratic)
    • Caucus Meetings (Republican)
    • Committees >
      • Ad-Hoc CARES Act Committee
      • Ad-Hoc Complete Count Census Committee
      • Ad-Hoc Modern Housing Solutions Committee
      • Ad-Hoc RNG Facility Committee
      • Capital Improvements Committee
      • Committee of the Whole
      • Diversity & Inclusion Committee
      • Executive Committee
      • Finance Committee
      • Land Use & Development Committee
      • Legislative & Judicial Committee
      • Public Health & Safety Committee
      • Public Works & Transportation Committee
    • Meetings Calendar
    • Meeting Videos
  • News
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007/6
  • Contact
    • Will County Offices
  • Important Info
  • Legislative
  • Capital Projects
    • Animal Control Facility
    • County Office Building
    • Health Department Facility
    • Public Safety Complex >
      • Public safety complex bids
    • Will County Courthouse >
      • Courthouse bids
    • Will County Master Plan
  • Will County Courthouse

County Leaders Remember Dedicated Trailblazer, Colleague

2/3/2020

 

Margie Woods served for 28 years, set the example for many who came after her

JOLIET – Margie Woods was the second black woman elected to the Will County Board and the first black woman to serve in a leadership role on the board, leading the way for other women and people of color to become involved in Will County government. She died on January 29, 2020 in Joliet where she had lived her entire life.
​
“Margie was a tremendous example for how to be involved in your community and make a difference.” said Will County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet). “I wouldn’t be Speaker of the Will County Board today if Margie Woods hadn’t first blazed the trail.”
Woods, who graduated from Joliet Central High School, was elected to the Will County Board to represent District 8 in 1980 and served for 28 years until 2008. In 2003 she was elected by her peers to be the leader of the Democratic Caucus, the first black woman elected to a leadership role on the board.

“Margie was dedicated to lifting up the disadvantaged in her District 8, as well as all of Will County,” said County Board member and colleague Herb Brooks (D-Joliet). “And she believed that government had an important role to play in creating an environment and providing the opportunities for the disadvantaged so that they could succeed.”

In addition to serving as minority leader for six years, Woods served on numerous committees including 14 years on executive committee, and 18 years on judicial committee. Over the years, she also served as Vice President on the Labor and Employment Steering Committee for the National Association of Counties (NACo), the President of the Illinois Association of Conservation Forest Preserve Districts, a Board Member for Habitat for Humanity, and many other groups.

“She didn’t just talk the talk, she walked the walk,” said County Board Member and colleague, Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort). “She worked hard for what she believed in and she worked across the aisle to build consensus and move the ball forward.”

Woods attended Lewis University and majored in Political Science. She raised six children in Joliet and worked at Caterpillar.
​
“Margie was a true public servant, dedicated to giving a voice to all residents of Will County,” said Will County Board Executive Larry Walsh Sr. “She was a strong pillar of county government and leaves behind a great legacy of inclusion for all residents of our diverse community.” 

Comments are closed.

    Author

    Will County Board

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All
    Agriculture
    Budget
    Capital Improvements
    Check
    Children's Advocacy Center
    Chuck Maher
    Courthouse
    Darren Bennefield
    DC
    Denise Winfrey
    Development
    District 6
    Healthcare
    Herb Brooks
    Infrastructure
    Jim Moustis
    Joliet
    Judicial
    Landfill
    Laraway
    Legislative
    Master Plan
    Mike Fricilone
    NACo
    Opioid Crisis
    Public Health & Safety
    Public Safety Complex
    Ragan Freitag
    Recycling
    Taxes
    Transportation
    Washington
    Waste Management
    Workforce

    RSS Feed

Copyright (c) Will County Board