Will County chief of staff asked to resign

After a change in political leadership in Will County, Ragan Freitag was asked to step down as the county board’s chief of staff.

Board Speaker Denise Winfrey asked for Freitag’s resignation the day after the Democrats took control of the county board, following Monday’s swearing in ceremony.

Freitag, who was named to the full time position in January, 2017, said she was “surprised” and “very disappointed” to get a letter from board Speaker Denise Winfrey Tuesday morning, asking for her resignation by Dec. 31.

Winfrey said the job is “a political appointment that serves at the request of the reigning party. It’s not about cause. It’s strictly political.”

Winfrey said she will name Freitag’s appointment on Wednesday.

Freitag, who previously served on the county board as a Republican representing District 6 in southwestern Will County, said, “I am talking to my lawyers and looking into my options.”

She said after reading the minutes of a recent Democratic caucus, she was aware that there was discussion about her position, and knew that this was “possible.”

“It could have been better timing. I was hoping it would not be before the holidays,” she said. “I love working for Will County and hoped to continue.”

The new board was seated Monday, but Freitag said she was absent because she was attending her grandmother’s funeral.

Winfrey said she informed Freitag Tuesday, when she returned to the office.

Prior to being named chief of staff, Freitag was an associate attorney with the Joliet law firm of Kavanagh, Grumley and Gorbold.