Orland Park Provides Updates and Resources for Residents and Businesses Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Many forms of messaging have been provided by the Village of Orland Park aimed at both the residential and business communities. From daily social media updates with information including resources such as providing much needed masks to Orland Park’s medical offices, to regular video updates from the mayor, to direct assistance with the application process for emergency loans. The range is vast but the message remains the same: we will get through this together.

“As a Village, we have come together as never before,” said Mayor Keith Pekau. “Elected officials, Village staff, residents and local businesses have all been making positive strides in keeping things moving in a forward-moving direction.”

While what the Village can provide may pale in comparison to what the federal level of government can offer, the Village is offering two new programs to offer assistance.

A group of volunteers has been assembled to help businesses owners with any questions they have about what is available and how to apply for aid. Those in need of guidance can contact [email protected] to be paired with a volunteer.

“Right now, the federal government is providing significant resources to residents and businesses through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,” said Trustee Bill Healy. “Orland Park residents and businesses would be best advised to take advantage of these offerings to help combat loss in wages, to boost businesses during the crisis and to help maintain economic strength of the community.”

The Village has put together a program to make available hard to find KN95 medical grade masks to local medical offices and facilities. “The Masks for Medical program came to fruition upon learning of the problem medical professionals were having obtaining masks to keep them safe,” said Pekau. “Instead of waiting for the Illinois Department of Health and Cook County Department of health to do something, we decided to take matters into our own hands and solve this problem.”

The Village ordered a large quantity of masks to make available to those who need them in the medical field. Masks are available to Orland Park based medical offices/facilities by request by contacting [email protected]. Offices are asked to reimburse the Village their cost of the masks at $3.75 per piece.

In order to continuously update residents and businesses amid the pandemic, the Village has made available regular videos on YouTube with new developments, updates and important data and information. The video playlist, entitled ‘A Message from the Office of the Mayor’ is available for viewing on YouTube and posted on the Village’s social media accounts as well.

“I think the videos have helped to combat a lot of local misinformation,” said Trustee Jim Dodge. “Make no mistake, this pandemic is a huge problem, but I can say that the residents of Orland Park have been essential in helping the community thus far.”

In addition, the Village’s public access channel on Comcast channel 4 and AT&T channel 99 will host the videos and information for those who wish to view Village updates on their televisions.

A myriad of resources and direct links to applications are continuously updated and readily available on the Village’s website at orlandpark.org/coronavirusinfo.

“What we are doing as a community is commendable and I am proud of the efforts of our residents,” said Pekau. “Keep doing what you are doing.”

“We need to take this seriously but we don’t need to be afraid,” he said. “Together we will get through this and come out of it stronger.”

For more information and many useful online Village resources, visit orlandpark.org.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion 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.

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