Election Judge Punched In Face, Orland Man, 24, Arrested: Police

ORLAND PARK, IL — A 24-year-old Orland Park man faces felony charges after police said he punched an election judge in the face during early voting at Orland Township on Sunday.

At around 11 a.m. Sunday, Orland Park police were called to the Orland Park Township Office, 14807 Ravinia Ave., for a report of a man causing a disturbance in the voting line. Arriving officers found a man, later identified as Daniel Schmidt, restrained by numerous people inside the Township office, police said in a release.

Police said officers learned that Schmidt entered the township building and walked past numerous other voters waiting in line to enter the voting area. An election judge posted at the entrance told Schmidt to go to the back of the line and wait his turn, which Schmidt refused, according to police.

At that point, another election judge was called to assist, police said. Schmidt was again instructed to go to the back of the line. Officials say Schmidt attempted to push past that election judge and was prevented from entering by that judge and several other employees.

Police said Schmidt began to yell profanities and punched the election judge in the face, knocking their glasses off. At that point, several other voters jumped in and restrained Schmidt until police arrived.

While being placed under arrest, officials say Schmidt also resisted Orland Park police officers.

At Orland Park Police headquarters, the Cook County States Attorney’s Office was contacted and approved two counts of felony aggravated battery to a victim over 60, two counts of felony aggravated battery in a public place, five misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Schmidt was held overnight and transported to Bridgeview Courthouse for a detention hearing.