Man faces felony charges after punching Illinois poll worker in face, police say
A 24-year-old man was jailed without bond Tuesday on multiple felony charges after police said he got impatient at a polling place in Illinois and allegedly punched a 60-year-old election official in the face.
The incident took place about 11 a.m. Sunday in Orland Park, a village in Cook County, with a small portion in neighboring Will County, the Orland Park Police Department reported.
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.
Live updates on Election Day snags: Legal fights and long, long lines Profanities and a punch that knocked glasses off judge's faceAgain, 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."
It was not immediately known what type of injuries the poll worker suffered.
While being placed under arrest, Schmidt also resisted police, the department reported.
No officers were injured.
The release did not elaborate about why Schmidt, who is from Orland Park, appeared agitated or identified his political party.
USA TODAY has reached out to Orland police.
Man who punched poll worker jailed with no bondSchmidt 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.
On Tuesday, online records showed Schmidt remained jailed with no bond.
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.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at and follow her on X
