From the Coroner:
McHenry County Coroner, Dr. Michael Rein, announced that his office was contacted by McCullom Lake PD on March 17, 2026 at around 9:15 pm to investigate the death of Petter Culver, age 75, of McHenry.
Mr. Culver was working as an election judge when he suffered a cardiac event at the Village Hall in McCullom Lake.
Chief Deputy Olivia Zednick was dispatched to the scene.
At the time of Chief Deputy Zednick being dispatched, I received a call from Joe Tirio, County Clerk, in regards to the job his staff was performing at the time.
I assured Mr. Tirio that we would take every precaution necessary in securing the area where Mr. Culver
was.
After Chief Deputy Zednick arrived and performed a thorough investigation, it was determined that Mr. Culver passed away from natural causes.
Mr. Tirio and I were in contact during this incident and the area was turned back over to Mr. Tirio and his team.
I want to thank Mr. Tirio and his team for the professionalism they showed during this unusual and
unfortunate event.
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From the County Clerk:
Statement on the Passing of Election Judge Petter Culver
WOODSTOCK, Ill. – The following is a statement from County Clerk and Recorder Joe Tirio on the unfortunate passing of Election Judge Petter Culver.
“Last night, as the polls closed and the final ballots were counted, we lost one of our own.
“Petter Culver passed away doing something he believed in deeply – serving his community as an election judge.
Petter gave years of faithful service to the Democratic Party and the democratic process in McHenry
County.
“He served because he understood something that too many take for granted: freedom is not self-sustaining.
“It requires tending. It requires people willing to do the hard and unglamorous work of making democracy real – not just in theory, but in practice, one voter at a time.
“That work is hard.
“Let no one tell you otherwise.
“Our election judges report before dawn and work well past nightfall, fifteen hours or more staying at their post with little opportunity for a break.
“Most of our judges are past the age of 65, and yet they lift equipment, set up polling places, navigate complicated procedures, and do it all with patience and professionalism.
“They greet every voter, the grateful and the grumbling alike, with dignity.
“They absorb frustration that is not theirs to bear and they do not waver.
“And while they represent their party, when you get to know them as I have, you know they are doing it
for their country and community.
“They understand the gravity of the work, and the gift they have been sworn to protect.
“They are a rare breed, and I couldn’t be prouder of Petter and his fellow election judges. McHenry County is truly blessed by these stalwart patriots.
“They do not do this for the pay.
“They do not do it for recognition.
“They do it because they are the kind of people who still believe that showing up matters, and that civic duty is not a burden but a privilege.
“What Petter Culver did – what all our election judges do – is among the most profoundly patriotic acts
available to a private citizen.
“They are the quiet guardians of the ballot box.
“They are the human infrastructure of liberty itself.
“To every election judge serving McHenry County: we appreciate you.
“We honor you.
“What you do is sacred work.”
