Man faces felony charges after punching Illinois poll worker in face, police say
A 24-year-old man was jailed this week on multiple felony charges after police said he got impatient at a polling place in Illinois and allegedly punched an elderly election official in the face.
The incident took place about 11 a.m. Sunday in Orland Park, a village in Cook County, the Orland Park Police Department reported.
The township is about 27 miles southwest of Chicago.
Officers responded to the Orland Park Township Office for a report of a man causing a disturbance in the voting line, according to a press release.
Officers on scene learned a man, identified as Daniel Schmidt entered the township building and "walked past numerous other voters waiting in line to enter the voting area,” the department wrote in the release. “An election judge posted at the entrance told Schmidt to go to the back of the line and wait his turn, which Schmidt refused.”
At that point, officials said, another election judge was called to assist.
Profanities and a punch that knocked glasses off judge's face
Again, police reported, Schmidt was told to go to the back of the line.
At some point, Schmidt reportedly attempted to push past that election judge and was prevented from entering by that judge and several other employees.
"Schmidt began to yell profanities and punched the election judge in the face, knocking their glasses off," police wrote in the release. "At that point several other patrons jumped in and restrained Schmidt until officers arrived."
Police said the victim − a 74-year-old man −refused medical attention at the scene, and was expected to recover.
While being placed under arrest, Schmidt also resisted police, the department reported.
No officers were injured.
The release did not elaborate about why Schmidt, from Orland Park, appeared agitated or identified his political party.
"He refused to talk and no mention of political affiliation," Police Commander Kenneth J Rosinski told Paste BN Tuesday.
Man who punched poll worker jailed with no bond
Schmidt was held overnight and transported to a local courthouse for a detention hearing.
The Cook County State Attorney’s Office charged Schmidt with two felony counts of aggravated battery to a victim over age 60, two felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place, five misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
A judge arraigned Schmidt on the charges Monday, police said, and released him with conditions of bond including he wear a form of electronic monitoring.
Schmidt's mugshot provided by police appears to show a bloody cut to the left side of his face. In another mugshot posted online by the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Schmidt grins ear to ear.
It was not immediately known if Schmidt had obtained an attorney.
Schmidt is due back in court on Nov. 22.
Paste BN has reached out to township officials.
This story was updated to add new information.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for Paste BN. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.