Election Information

Cathy Cagle has served as a Crystal Lake Park District Commissioner since 2018 and has been a leading voice on the board for fiscal responsibility, open government, and respectful public process. She has pushed for competitive, transparent selection of the district's legal counsel, fought to preserve robust opportunities for public comment at board meetings, and consistently held the board's majority accountable when decisions have been made behind closed doors. A longtime Crystal Lake resident and avid user of Park District programs, Cagle is seeking re-election to continue the work of restoring trust between the board and the community.

Carl Edstrom has lived in Crystal Lake for nearly four decades, drawn to the community in part by its parks and open spaces. He spent more than 35 years as a senior marketing research executive with management and profit-and-loss responsibility, giving him deep experience managing budgets and making sound decisions grounded in data.

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He has been actively involved in a broad range of groups supporting the community for many years, serving as a long-time youth soccer coach and respected leader for multiple local organizations, focused on environmental protection, outdoor recreation, public safety, and connecting older adults in McHenry County with community and nature.

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Edstrom strongly believes in transparency and efficient management of community resources and says the board's top priority must be regaining the community's trust and serving as a resource for everyone, not just a select few.

Jamie Petersen was born and raised in Crystal Lake and is now raising her own family in Lakewood. From swim lessons, dance classes, and memories of boating as a child to adult life spectating youth sports, hosting social events, and the annual hayride at Sterne’s Woods, she maintains a lifelong connection to the Crystal Lake Park District. Petersen is a former Crystal Lake elementary school teacher and currently serves as a substitute teacher and active parent volunteer. 

As a resident, educator, and mother, she is committed to thoughtful decision-making, respectful leadership, and the broad interests of the community. Public service has been a core value within her family. Her father, Robert Wagner, served as both a Park Board Commissioner and Mayor of Crystal Lake, fueling Petersen’s desire to give back to the community. 

Petersen is an advocate for better accessibility to area parks, going as far as presenting data, recording video, and collecting community feedback to support her stance. She is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the programs and facilities that have benefited past generations, while ensuring responsible and transparent decisions for the future. Petersen has a deep appreciation for the Park District's role in making “Crystal Lake: a good place to live.”