Michael Rein: 2024 Candidate For McHenry County Coroner

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Election Day is fast-approaching, and early voting is underway in McHenry County. Here is the candidate profile for Michael Rein, who is running for McHenry County Coroner:

Your Name: Dr. Michael R Rein, D.C.

Town of Residence: Woodstock

Position Sought: McHenry County Coroner

Party Affiliation: Republican

Education: Doctor of Chiropractic, BS Human Biology, Associates of Science

Occupation: Doctor of chiropractic, 22 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office: McHenry County Coroner (2020-Current), McHenry County Board (2014-2018)

Campaign website: VoteForRein (Facebook)

The single most pressing issue facing our county is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue is property taxes. As you will see from my answers below why I have been able to decrease the McHenry County Coroner's budget by almost 10% in FY2024 and will do again in FY2025. Not only have I decreased the budget but have also increased our standards and excellence within the office.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My leadership and experience make me the most qualified to be the Coroner of McHenry County. I am a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was VP of our family construction business, and owned my own small business in the healthcare industry. I was also a 4 yr County Board Member and have been on numerous non-profit boards. Because of my lifetime experiences I understand what it takes to lead a team, to be fiscally responsible and the understanding complex scenarios that need expert decision making quickly and correctly.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Though I am not the challenger I feel that I have taken the Coroner's Office to a new higher standard. Receiving our accreditation from the International Association of Coroner's and Medical Examiners (IACME) has put us in the top 1% of all counties nationally. This feat makes McHenry County Coroner Office only 1 of 37 counties to be accredited through the IACME nationwide.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Though I have accomplished many things during my first term I am continuing to better policies and procedures that increase efficiencies. During my first term I was able to work with our organ/tissue donation organization more closely in changing some protocols that have benefited over 300 individuals with life saving/changing measures. I was also the first county in Illinois that collaborated with a new organization that uses whole body donation for medical research and education. This gives families an outlet to give back and provides free cremation services to those families in need.

I have been transparent in giving our citizens an Annual Report the past 2 yrs that has shown what the Coroner Office achieves and carry's out every year. We show statistical analysis and data points for our county. This can be found on our website for all to view.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

I feel that I have defined my first term in office as higher standards, fiscal responsibility, and compassion to all deaths in McHenry County. I will continue to lead with these accomplishments in the second term as well.

Why are you running for office?

I am running for this position because I feel that I will continue to give the citizens of McHenry County high quality leadership, fiscal responsibility and compassion to all.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

We do not have a board but will focus on our office. Our office has a staff of 6 full time employees. We are the sixth largest county by population in Illinois of 102 counties. McHenry County Coroner Office is a 24/7 operation. Counties that are smaller in population have more full time employees than what we currently staff. This is because of efficiencies, policies and procedures.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office?

I have shown that you can function at the highest standard along with being fiscally responsible throughout my less than 4 yrs since I took office. I was able to secure a $113,000 DOJ, that was only given to less than 10 counties nationwide in 2022. This money was used to secure new equipment, increase security measures and increase training to all deputies.

I lowered our budget in FY2024 by 10% and will lower our budget by around the same in FY2025. Because of my business background I put into place cost saving measures to accomplish this feat, and keeping the highest standards of the office.

I was able to replace our old aging fleet of vehicles without using taxpayer property tax dollars. These cost savings initiative keeps your property taxes as low as possible while also giving the highest quality standards.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a lifelong resident of McHenry County. After graduating high school I joined the United States Marine Corps. After being honorably discharged I worked in the family construction business and ascended to the role of VP. After almost a decade of the construction field I returned to school. I received my degrees in 8 yrs that included Associates of Science, Bachelors in Human Biology and a Doctorate of Chiropractic. As a Doctor of Chiropractic, and one of the few professions able to diagnose patients, we are held at the same standard as M.D.'s under the Medical Practice Act in Illinois in retaining our license.

Do you think Illinois’s SAFE-T act/no cash bail has been effective?

I believe that the safety of our citizens in McHenry County should always be of the highest concerns. Street drugs that infiltrate our county and local jurisdictions can only do harm. Dealers should not be able to be released back onto our streets to continue the harm that may be caused by selling drugs and could in insistence's cause people to overdose and possibly death. Fentanyl is the #1 reason for overdose deaths in our county. I support our local law enforcement and State's Attorney in prosecuting these violators to the full extent of the law and to deter others from putting our citizens at risk.