Michael R. Rein: 2024 candidate for McHenry County coroner

Bio

Party: Republican

Office Sought: McHenry County Coroner

City: Woodstock

Age: 60

Occupation: Current Coroner/Doctor of Chiropractic

Previous offices held: McHenry County Board Member

Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

I am running for my second term to continue to make the McHenry County Coroner Office one of the best in Illinois. I have made significant changes and upgrades to the Coroner Office and looking to continue that direction.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

My top priority was the accreditation of Coroner Office. That realization happened in September 2023. We are now 1 of 37 counties nationwide accredited through the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME). However, this is just one of many accomplishments during my first term. Early on I worked with our organ/tissue donation organization and have implemented new protocols to help save as many lives as we can. I was the first Coroner Office to work with another organization that does whole body donation for medical research and education. This also gives families an outlet to give back and provides free cremation services to those families in need. Our office was only 1 of less than 10 Coroner Offices nationwide that received a $113,000 DOJ Grant that provided better security measures to the office, upgraded equipment and training for staff. I reduced our 2024 budget by almost 10% from cost saving measures and have allocated those measures for 2025.

What special experience and professional qualifications does a person need to be an effective coroner? What experiences and qualifications do you possess that will provide a foundation for your success in the office?

My unique background and experience has helped guide the McHenry County Coroner Office to higher standards, better efficiency and fiscal responsibility. After high school I joined the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged four years later. After the Marine Corps I worked my way up to VP of my family's construction business before I returned to school and became a Doctor of Chiropractic eight years later. As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I am one of the few professions, including MD's, under the Medical Practice Act of Illinois. I had my own business close to 20 years before becoming the McHenry County Coroner full time. Because of my medical and business background I have shown that my clinical and financial experience is a benefit to the Coroner's Office.

Describe your position regarding the allocation of resources in the coroner's office. Are personnel allocated as they should be? Are there capital expenses or other budgetary items that the office must address, and, if so, how do you propose to address them?

A priority that needed taking place was replacing and upgrading our vehicle fleet. Our office had two vehicles and one that was over 10 years old. Deputies were at times using their own vehicle to go out to scenes. I have upgraded our fleet to four vehicles without using property tax dollars. The County Board approved a new capital project to the morgue. This upgrade will help improvements that have not been addressed since being built in 1986.

Describe your position on transparency and public service in the coroner's office and the ease of access to records by the public. If you believe improvements are needed, what are they and how would you go about achieving them?

I believe that being a transparent office is a high priority. Our office completed a large project of digitizing all of our files, indexes and all miscellaneous files that went as far back as 1877. This project was completed without using property tax dollars. Because of digitizing these files we are able to complete FOIA requests faster and more efficiently.

Please describe your philosophy about working with the media to get information to the public.

I believe and have shown to be transparent with the media as best as possible. However, because of our unique office we do have to keep certain items confidential. When media may call with a question or request, I accommodate as best as possible.