Besides serving as County Executive, Walsh has a long distinguished career in public service. In 1970, he served as a member of the Elwood School Board and three years later, was elected as Jackson Township Supervisor - a position he held until 2004. Walsh also served as Illinois State Senator for the 43rd District from 1997 to 2005. In this position, he represented a large portion of Will County and parts of Kankakee and Iroquois counties. On two separate occasions, he served terms as a Will County Board member – once in 1974 and again in 1992.