Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves announce 2025-2026 Training Camp Roster Entertainment
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast on James Comey, ICE Agents, Government shutdown, Gaza Peace Plan, Ukraine and long range missiles, and New York mayoral race Bill Lipinski
  • Five Individuals Charged in Federal Court in Chicago With Assaulting or Resisting Federal Agents Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Civil Rights
  • The Chicago Wolves rallied to defeat  the Iowa Wild 4-3 in overtime Sunday Feb. 25, 2024 at Allstate Arena. The Wild led the game 3 to 0 going in to the 2nd period, but the Wolves rallied and tied in the 3rd period forcing the 5 minute sudden death overtime.
    Wolves broadcasts return to WPWR-TV for 2025 – 26 season Chicago
  • Orland Park Trustee Jim Dodge
    Secretary of State Drivers Facility Moving to New Orland Park Location Baby Boomers
  • Fighting for Duped Man’s Freedom and Future
    Fighting for Duped Man’s Freedom and Future Dads' Rights
  • OFPD Lt. Zachary Zweizig Lt. Dan Ritchie and Lt. Mark Hogan. Photo courtesy of the OFPD
    Orland Firefighters receive awards for battling flooding during Texas deployment Features
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Free Mexican Document Assistance Available This Week at Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar’s Office Chicago
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings: Families deserve a heads-up before major insurance increase Business
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    US Senator Chris Murphy endorses Robin Kelly for US Senate, succeeding Dick Durbin elections
  • OFPD fire 11500 Block of 113th Avenue in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of the OFPD 9-23-25
    Orland firefighter suffers minor injuries in responding to home fire Fire

Pekau clamps down on democracy, plays victim card again

Posted on November 24, 2019November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pekau clamps down on democracy, plays victim card again
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Pekau clamps down on democracy, plays victim card again

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is accusing others of personal and vicious attacks, but the truth is Pekau doesn’t shy away from name-calling,  attacking others personally when it benefits his political agenda. His latest effort to stifle Democracy in the village by eliminating critical voices is a violation of the public’s interests. Pekau says everyone is unfairly attacking him, but he is the first to unfairly attack other. He has attacked Jim Dodge, but Jim Dodge responds with reason

By Ray Hanania

When Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau won re-election by pure accident two years ago, he promised that the taxpayers would see a new day.

It sure is a new day.

Pekau bullies anyone who doesn’t agree with him, including in his eNewsletter where he personally attacks trustees on the Village Board who don’t agree with him, and whines about how he is the victim of “slimy” criticism.

In this week’s “newsletter,” Pekau attacks both Trustees Dan Calandriello and Jim Dodge who combined have far more experience running local government than Pekau and his three trustee allies on the board accusing them of attacking him.

Keith Pekau

But worse, by asserting that he is a victim rather than the bully that he has become, Pekau is using that as a cover to push through draconian policies, including his measure to curtail Democracy.

Pekau and his board majority have decided to end the Democratic process by eliminating all of the village board committees by creating one “Committee of the Whole” that will review everything. It’s intended to silence his critics and give the majority the power to ram through their interests over everyone else.

What he is doing is eliminating all of the committees in which trustees could discuss issues and assert their experience and authority. Those committees would include three trustees not all six of the board’s trustees. That way, issues can be discussed and then presented to the board.

And he is eliminating what topics can be discussed.

Pekau controls three of the votes, with Cindy Katsenes, Bill Healy and Mike Milani. The opposition that challenges his dictates includes Dodge, Calandriello and Kathy Fenton.

How does this curtail Democracy? It puts all of the power in Pekau’s hands and curtails diverse views and opinions from getting aired prior to the board meetings. The Committee system is supposed to be a part of the “Checks and Balance” process that separates Democracy from Tyranny.

By eliminating the committees, Pekau has anointed himself as the “Tyrant in Chief,” silencing any discussions he does not like, and putting all the power in his own hands.

Orland Park Trustee Jim Dodge
Orland Park Trustee Jim Dodge

Because the responsibilities of the various committees are distributed to the committees, Pekau can’t control them. So, he just eliminates them and orders that there is now one big committee where he can ensure that any other views besides his will be snuffed-out and prevented from ever being explored publicly.

The old system Pekau is eliminating is used by every other Democracy in America, every suburb and municipality in Cook County, Illinois and the Country. The old system allows a meeting to take place to discuss a topic that Pekau doesn’t like with only three trustees present, without him interfering of stifling open discussion. Since committees might include two trustees he doesn’t control, he can’t stop them from raising issues that he wants to silence.

It’s a cheap political trick that has many downsides. The most important is that those who disagree with him will no longer have a platform to discuss their ideas. The issues he disagrees with will now be killed and silenced in the Committee of the Whole that he controls – with his 3 trustee votes, Pekau casts the tie-breaking vote and can shove any issue down the throats of taxpayers anytime he wants.

It also creates a particularly offensive, unDemocratic system that makes it far more difficult to hold meetings and to explore issues for the public to understand. A quorum is required to hold meetings. (A quorum is defined as 50 percent plus one).

For a meeting of three members, you must have at least two members to meet the quorum responsibility. For a meeting of six members, you must have four members present, and that means Pekau and his three trustees can meet and do whatever they want with or without their rivals.

Under Pekau’s rules, which I believe violate Robert’s Rules of Order, an issue that is voted down cannot be reintroduced for one year. That’s ridiculous. Issues can be reintroduced at anytime, based on whether or not the sponsor has the votes to get it approved.

Pekau is acting more like a dictator than a mayor. He doesn’t want anyone to challenge his flawed logic. Pekau has turned the Village Board meetings into a bully pulpit where he can silence his critics, accuse them of anything and then push through anything he wants whether it’s in the best interests of the public or not.

Anonymous robocalls

Pekau thinks he can get away with this by hiding behind the anonymous robocalls that have been attacking him and his board majority. The robocalls are disgusting but limited to a target audience, slandering Pekau’s policies anonymously. Not everyone is receiving them which makes me suspicious. Some people believe the robocalls are being produced by his political rivals. But others believe he or his allies are behind the robocalls as a strategy to build up sympathy which Pekau uses as a force of sympathy to silence his critics.

Politicians do that all the time. It’s most often seen in Chicago’s aldermanic political elections when a candidate’s window is shot-out by gunfire and the candidate stands in front of the broken window seeking sympathy and using the incident to overshadow other legitimate issues in the public discussion.

Pekau is a dictator. He stumbled into office because of the mistakes of his predecessor Dan McLaughlin, who was a good mayor who made one major mistake during his entire career, pushing for a massive pay and pension hike that Pekau now can claim despite his public assertions that he would not.

Here’s Pekau’s explanation of what he is doing from his eNewsletter in which he personally attacks his critics (the same way he claims he is being personally attacked.)

“Next, we discussed the change to Committee of the Whole. A summary of this change is that the existing Committees will be replaced with a Committee of the Whole where instead of 3 trustees, the entire board will discuss an issue before sending it to a board meeting for a final vote. This will happen for several types of issues that were identified. Several items, like those already budgeted, that were put out for bid and within budget will go directly to the Village Board. Regardless, no matter what the issue, the entire Village Board is still the approval authority. Sometimes, however, we may talk about it twice.

“Of course, Trustee Dodge had process concerns. He pontificated about how he didn’t like the 1 year wait to revisit issues that the board had already decided (unless the board waives that requirement). Also, on how he doesn’t like the Agenda Initiative process and he wanted our attorney to clarify the rules for how it will be conducted. He was very adamant that “in 1989 we had a committee of the whole” and that he had been here for “30 years” and the existing process has worked fine. During all of this grandstanding, he didn’t bother to offer an amendment to the process, which is how motions have been amended for the last 30 years.

“Trustee Calandriello then stepped in to show him the way by offering an amendment that would have stripped the mayor of the right to put anything on the agenda. Yes, you read that correctly, would have made it so the mayor could not put anything on the agenda. [PEKAU’S EMPHASIS] The vote failed 4 to 2, with Trustees Calandriello and Dodge voting to strip the mayor of this right.”

Jim Dodge responds

I spoke with Trustee Dodge to get his perspective in response to the Mayor’s public attacks. Dodge has been in public office for more than 30 years elected to the Village as Clerk in 1989. He’s also a veteran who served in the Illinois Army National Guard, and as a veteran myself I respect that.

Here’s what Dodge had to say in response to Pekau’s personal attacks”

“The people of Orland Park need to understand if Keith doesn’t like you or your idea because it challenges him, he changes the rules to benefit himself. It’s bad for the future of Orland Park but it reflects his true nature. I would also point out, I always tried to work with him. When he didn’t have the votes, we didn’t changes the  rules to suppress him or his ideas.  A bigger factor for his ineffectiveness is no collaboration skills,” said Dodge, who earned a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago with concentrations in finance and economics.

“He attacks me personally all the time, but I chose not to respond to him at that level.  Flat out lies and misrepresentations deliberately set up to mislead. He feeds red meat to his angry minions all the time.  Very tiresome. No other mayor I’ve worked with (total of 4) has ever used a Village of Orland Park microphone at public meetings to promote his own personal political agenda. He does all the time and is shameless about it.”  

An example, Dodge said, is decision to approve the Sears Fitness Center at the Mall.

“They sped through the approval process to allow Sears to open up a 24-hour fitness club inside the mall.  It’s not clear to me enough people on Orland know what used to be Sears will now be a movie theater and a fitness club.  Don’t bank on a lot of sales tax revenue from those uses,” Dodge said.

Dodge isn’t the only veteran public official to speak out against Pekau’s excesses. Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady spoke out against Pekau’s effort to shutter a homeless shelter at the Hope Covenant Church. It was amazing how Pekau’s assault against the homeless relied on fear-mongering, citing all kinds of wild tragedies that took dozens of lives to frighten people, only to succumb when a judge ruled that the church only needed smoke detectors. (The church already has a sprinkler system, one of the most effective ways to prevent fire.) Click here to read O’Grady’s criticism of Pekau’s efforts.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

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 [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield - October 2, 2025
  • Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child - October 1, 2025
  • Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park - September 30, 2025
NPV: 22
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:bully, bullying, committee system, curtailing free speech, Jim Dodge, Keith Pekau, Mayor of Orland Park, Paul O'Grady, silencing his critics

Post navigation

Previous Post: The rancor of anti-Trump impeachment mob justice
Next Post: Nazareth one win away

Related Posts

  • Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for "workers' rights" at rally Thursday Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar joined May Day Celebrations, May 1, 2025, and spoke at the rally in support of workers' rights and immigration
    Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday Civil Rights
  • Midnight Flight: Chapter 4 — Written Long Before Baby Boomers
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Proposed bipartisan Senate bill to keep kids under 13 off social media should be passed Blogger
  • Cicero Fire Department receives excellent ISO rating Government
  • OFPD Lieutenant Bob Griffin III, OFPD Fire Chief Michael Schofield, Michael Sanocki, three of the Life Time employees who helped Sanocki, Jason Fox, Cooper Garland, and Jerome Jasper, and OFPD Lt. and EMS Coordinator Mark Duke.
    Cardiac victim survives to thank Life Time employees and OFPD Features
  • Flag of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Milwaukee County Executive Abele and Milwaukee County Parks announce new concessions Entertainment

More Related Articles

Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022 Hastings advances measure to fight crime, track stolen vehicles  Chicago
Geese blocking road in the suburbs. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Painful to watch news reports on flooding Baby Boomers
Chicago Wolves Trainer Kevin Kacer receives Dupre Award June 14, 2021 Chicago Wolves’ Kevin Kacer shares AHL’s Dupre Award Chicago
LyonsFest 2023 will take place from Friday, June 30 - Tuesday, July 4 at Veterans Park in Lyons. There will be carnival rides and games, live music, food, drinks, art/craft vendors, and more. The fest will be open each day from 4 PM - 11 PM and entry is free. LyonsFest begins Friday, June 30 at Veterans Park Culture
Emanuel "Chris" Welch, the State Represenative of the 7th House District, was the keynote speaker at the Town of CIcero annual Commemoration for the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero Welch to Lead Qualifications Challenge Committee Government
Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection DIstrict (OFPD) respond to a two-vehicle accident that caused one car to careen into a nearby home at 151st Street near 89th Avenue in Orland Park Friday April 4, 2025 Vehicles crash in Orland Park and one careens into a nearby home Friday April 4, 2025 accident

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield
    October 2, 2025
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child
    October 1, 2025
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park
    September 30, 2025
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
    September 29, 2025
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves announce 2025-2026 Training Camp Roster
    September 29, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme