Second slate enters race for Orland Park Trustees
People Over Politics Party announces Orland Park trustee slate, led by activists Cindy Katsenes
The People Over Politics Party last night announced their slate of candidates for Orland Park Trustees in the Spring 2019 municipal election. The slate, comprised of long-time Orland Park residents and community leaders Michael R. Milani, Bill Healy and Cindy Nelson Katsenes, is endorsed by Mayor Keith Pekau.
“I am very proud to endorse and support these three outstanding trustee candidates,” stated Mayor Pekau. “I only ask three things of them. Be Direct and Honest – you don’t have to agree with me, just be honest. Do what you think is in the best interest of the people of Orland Park. And, vote your conscience. These simple, common sense criteria that put the people first is why I support Michael Milani, Bill Healy and Cindy Nelson Katsenes,” he concluded.
The People Over Politics Party was formed to work cooperatively with the Mayor and the Village Board to provide exceptional, cooperative, and transparent government focused on the people of Orland Park, improve government efficiency to keep taxes low while maintaining high quality services, and promote economic development to grow and diversify the Village’s economic footprint.
People Over Politics Slate Bios:
Michael R. Milani
Michael has been an Orland Park resident since 2004, but he has been an active part of the community for over 40 years. Michael spent his childhood summers and Christmas breaks with his grandparents in Orland Park. Michael lives with his wife Heather and their two children, Kevin and Tyler. Kevin and Tyler currently attend Carl Sandburg High School, are products of Orland Park grade schools, and have been active in several school, recreational, and traveling sports teams. Michael has given back to the community by coaching for the Orland Park Pioneers wrestling and football teams, Orland Youth Athletics Baseball, Orland Park Warriors Baseball, Church of Nazarene Recreation, and the Lincoln-Way Wrestling Club.
Today, Michael serves as the Vice Chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Board. He also chairs the Technology Commission. Michael has worked on several exciting projects including the Smart Cities Initiative and Orland Park’s proposal to Amazon. He also regularly conducts face to face visits with our local businesses.
Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1999 and his Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Governors State University in 2001. Michael has worked in the technology field since 1995. Michael worked as technology consultant, leading a successful Enterprise Services consulting practice for a Schaumburg-based company and held positions in several industries including retail, banking, financial markets, insurance, and manufacturing. Michael currently works for IBM as a Business Development Executive providing transformational solutions to his clients focusing on their business outcomes.
With years of hard work and community service under his belt, Michael believes it is time for new energy in Orland Park. This election is about the future of Orland Park and keeping it moving forward to meet the challenges of today and the future. Michael R. Milani embodies the bold, energetic, vibrant leadership that will make Orland Park stand out as “The Crown Jewel of Chicago’s Southland”.
Bill Healy
William (Bill) Healy was raised in Evergreen Park, the second oldest in a family of six boys. He graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep and from John Carroll University with a B.S. in accounting. He has been a Certified Public Accountant for the past 40 years.
Bill has been self-employed since 1984, working with clients from a range of industries – construction, manufacturing, logistics and municipal entities. His office is located in Orland Park and he employs a staff of 10 people. Bill is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. Bill has also taught accounting at Moraine Valley Community College.
Bill is a Fidelitas Award winner for Corporate Service from the Lupus Society of Illinois. At St. Michael’s, he served on a committee that helped set long-term priorities for the parish and school. At St. Ignatius, Bill co-chaired a fundraising committee for tuition assistance. He also served on the executive board of the “For Julie” Foundation supporting leukemia research. He currently holds a position on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Village of Orland Park.
Bill has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 42 years and they have lived in their home in Orland Park since 1978. They have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Their children-Colleen, Bill, Kate and Bridget are all graduates of St. Michael and St. Ignatius and have attended various Jesuit colleges. During this time Bill also coached OYA softball and St. Michael’s girl’s basketball.
As a fiscal conservative, Bill has a passion for good government. He has participated in CPA’s for the Public Interest and his firm has donated services to local homeless shelters and social service agencies for many years. Bill’s strong financial background as a business owner and accounting advisor to small businesses and municipalities will be a significant asset for the Orland Park Village Board.
Cindy Nelson Katsenes
Cynthia Nelson Katsenes has been a resident of Orland Park for 30 years and grew up in neighboring Mokena. She is married to Chris, an Orland Park attorney. They have 2 adult children, Kristin, a registered nurse and Katie, a high school science teacher. Both children are graduates of Orland District 135, Carl Sandburg High School and the University of Illinois.
Cindy has a Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Communications from Governors State University in 2002. She served as a Trustee for the Orland Fire Protection District from 2001 to 2007. While serving as a Trustee she was also a Member of the Northern Alliance of Fire Protection Districts. Cindy was a Board Member for the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors, serving on several different committees, including the Government Affairs Committee, during her tenure.
Cindy is a licensed real estate broker and has been assisting buyers and sellers in the Orland Park area since 1983. As a successful real estate broker, she understands the impact that property taxes and good government have on property values and on personal wealth. She knows why people move their families to Orland Park and more importantly why they choose to stay. She is committed to working on economic development (specifically the I80 corridor) and keeping property taxes low because she understands the direct positive correlation these issues have on our housing values.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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