Parks for the People Announces Endorsements for the April 2027 Park Board Election

Parks for the People began as a grassroots movement of concerned residents who organized to push back against a mismanaged park board. While our community has made meaningful progress, the only way to safeguard the park district we love is by breaking up the damaging majority currently holding power.

To accomplish this, Parks for the People is proud to officially endorse three dedicated candidates for the Crystal Lake Park District Board of Commissioners in the April 2027 election: current Commissioner Cathy Cagle, and community leaders Carl Edstrom and Jamie Petersen. This team is running on a shared platform of transparency, accountability, and putting the public first.

Why These Endorsements Matter

Over the past year, troubling decisions made by the current Park Board majority—such as no-bid legal contracts, reduced public comment opportunities, and the elimination of the DEI policy and the Lake Ecology Advisory Committee—have deeply concerned residents.

Our movement was created to challenge these actions and support leaders who will restore public trust. These endorsements are further supported by current Commissioner Mike Jacobson and former Park Board Commissioners Caroline Bachour, Angel Collins, Kris Davis, Michele Hartwig, Sarah Michehl, and Shawn Zimmerman.

Meet the Endorsed Candidates

• Cathy Cagle: Serving as a Commissioner since 2018, Cagle is a proven voice for fiscal responsibility, open government, and transparent legal counsel selection who consistently holds the board majority accountable.

• Carl Edstrom: A four-decade Crystal Lake resident and senior marketing research executive with extensive budgeting and data-driven management experience, deeply invested in environmental protection and public resources.

• Jamie Petersen: A lifelong Crystal Lake resident, former elementary school teacher, and active parent volunteer who follows in the footsteps of her father, former Park Board Commissioner and Mayor Robert Wagner, by championing neighborhood access and community-driven data.

Learn more about our candidates here: https://www.parks4thepeoplecl.org/election-information

Get Involved

The April 2027 election is a vital opportunity to protect our parks and natural resources.

• Forward to a Friend or Neighbor: Share this post with a friend or neighbor so they know who to vote for in April.

• Donate: Donate to our Political Action Committee so that we have the resources to get these candidates elected. www.parks4thepeoplecl.org/donate