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 Chicago, Illinois and America

  • 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
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield Business
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Economy
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Civil Rights
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad News
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
Orland Park Village Hall. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government

Posted on June 27, 2020June 27, 2020 By Ray Hanania 3 Comments on 2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government
SHARE THIS STORY
467           
 
  
467
Shares

Opinion: 2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government

Two days after revealing the first case of coronavirus to infect an employee in the beleaguered administration of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, a second confirmed Coronavirus case has been confirmed in the Village’s Recreation Department. The two cases are a political embarrassment for Pekau who is vacationing during this growing crisis in Colorado. Pekua has fueled skepticism about the virus through lawsuits and political rhetoric against restriction safeguards that are intended to protect residents from the contagion. Pekau has scheduled public concerts, demanded more public activities, and used taxpayer money to file a lawsuit against Gov, Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions

By Ray Hanania

A second confirmed case of COVID-19 has slammed the Village of Orland Park embarrassing Mayor Keith Pekau who only last week filed a lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker claiming restrictions imposed statewide to stop the pandemic have violated the constitutional rights of village residents.

Two days ago, this columnist exposed the first coronavirus case involving an employee working in the office of the Village Manager, George Koczwara, who refused to respond to requests for comment. The second confirmed case of COVID-19 among a Village employee this time was announced in the Orland Park Recreation Department, according to two sources who asked not to be identified.

Although many government agencies have reported confirmed coronavirus cases, Pekau’s high profile publicity, his demand that restrictions be eased, and his taxpayer-funded lawsuit against Gov. Pritzker’s coronavirus plan has made Orland Park the symbol of a growing movement of people who believe the virus is more of a myth than a threat. His scheduling of many public events in which thousands of Orland Park residents and guests from the surrounding community have been invited to attend raises questions about his apparent lack of concern for the spread of the virus.

Photo caption: Hassan Nijem and Mazen Dola and members of the Arab American community receive a donation of face masks from Dr. Willie Wilson and the Willie Wilson Foundation on Monday June 15, 2020 at the Palestine Club Center located at 7701 W 87th Street in Bridgeview.
Photo caption: Communities throughout Chicagoland and Cook County have been encouraging the public to wear face masks and to maintain social distancing, distributing face masks to residents and the public while discouraging high profile public events which might encourage the spread of the virus.

Pekau, who is reportedly vacationing in Colorado and has not returned to confront the growing pandemic spread among village employees, has told the public that employees have been given face masks and gloves to protect them. One source asserted, however, that no gloves or face masks have been provided.

The 2nd confirmed case, according to a copy of a memo purportedly released by Recreations and Park Department Director Ray Piattoni and circulated to employees on Saturday, June 27, 2020, involves “an individual in the Athletics Department.” Like his boss, Koczwara, Piattoni did not respond to an email requesting a formal comment.

After I disclosed the first case of the coronavirus infection by one of Kaczwara’s employees, and his failure to respond, the village released a press release confirming the infection eight hours later.

Coronavirus hits Orland Village Hall as Pekau challenges virus restrictions

In his memo, Piattoni reassured employees that everything is being done to protect their health, writing, “We understand concerns other employees in the workplace may feel and want to provide reassurance that we are acting prudently and safely to continue to ensure the workplace remains safe for continued operations.”

Piattoni urged “sick employees” to “stay home, practice social distancing, promote hand washing for 20 seconds or use of hand sanitizer, proper sneezing or cough etiquette, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and disinfecting of common surfaces.”

What is not addressed are the many public events that Pekau has insisted will be held including two concerts and a 4th of July celebration that have been promoted by the village in water bills mailed to every home in Orland Park.

Orland Park is in the heart of Illinois’s coronavirus pandemic in suburban Cook County where the state has reported nearly 140,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 7,000 deaths. About 37,000 of the confirmed cases are in suburban Cook County along with nearly 2,000 deaths.

One infection can dramatically multiply and cause dozens of other infections as symptoms often do not appear for up to 14 days after initial contact. Meanwhile, individuals who have been infected can easily spread the infection during this two week asymptomatic carrier period.

Orland Park, which has a population of 58,000 has had 530 confirmed coronavirus cases (zip codes 60462, 60467), based on only 5,105 tests, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a one percent infection rate compared to an average of 3 to 6 percent in other communities where population density is greater.

Critics have said that Pekau is pandering to a public frustrated by the statewide restrictions and dissatisfaction with Gov. Pritzker’s leadership in order to bolster his own political standing as he turns the corner to re-election.

But Pekau has been hampered by a series of recent public controversies that undermine his popularity including his order to close a service office run by Secretary of State Jessie White that provided an array of services that was popular with Orland Park residents because it offered conveniences for basic services.

Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady announced Friday, June 26, 2020, that he had reached an agreement with White’s office to re-open the popular services at the Orland Township building at 14807 S. Ravinia Drive in Orland Park. Pekau attacked the move asserting that the issue is protecting the interests of taxpayers incredulously asking about the cost the Township agreement will have on taxpayers. But what Pekau did not mention are the lawsuits he has filed at the expense of Orland Park taxpayers including against Governor Pritzker, similar to other municipal lawsuits that differ in that they are funded by private sources and not by taxpayers.

Much of the criticism is reflected in a column by award winning Southtown/Chicago Tribune columnist Ted Slowik that was published this weekend.

Pekau also filed a lawsuit to close a one-night a week homeless shelter that was opened at Hope Covenant Church last year, rather than negotiate with the church leaders.

And, after signing an agreement forcing the retirement of former Village Manager Joe LaMargo, in which both sides agreed not to disparage each other, Pekau let loose with a series of vicious and personal attacks against LaMargo weeks after the agreement was signed, forcing LaMargo to file a lawsuit against Pekau.

The question now is, how many Village employees have been exposed to the two individuals who are confirmed coronavirus cases?

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
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.  

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)
  • Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield - October 31, 2025
  • Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown - October 30, 2025
  • Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations - October 30, 2025
NPV: 60
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
467           
 
  
467
Shares
 
467
Shares
 
 
 467         
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes Tags:2nd confirmed case, concerts public gatherings, Coronavirus infections, COVID-19, easing restrictions, failed leadership, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Keith Pekau, lawsuits, Pandemic, Recreation Department, social distancing, village of Orland Park, virus

Post navigation

Previous Post: Orland Township to House New Secretary of State Facility
Next Post: Remembering our fathers and the past

Related Posts

  • Off-duty firefighter saves two News
  • Attorney Jeffery M. Leving, author of Fathers’ Rights, Divorce Wars and How to be a Good Divorced Dad. His books are now available at several Little Free Library locations, including this one at 3415 W. Arthington St. in Chicago.
    Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Enhancing Attorney-Client Relationships in High Conflict Litigation to Win Chicago
  • Chicago Wolves forward David Gust (left) and Cole Smith (right) after Gust scores May 1. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves Rally to take forth straight win Chicago
  • Bridgeview Police shut down a stretch of 79th Street between Roberts Road and 78th Avenue on Wednesday  night August 17 , 2022 after a pickup truck and motorcycle collided.
    Motorcycle-truck accident shuts down 79th street in Bridgeview breaking news
  • Orland Park Veterans commemorate Veterans Day. Photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park
    Time for one unified organization for veterans Baby Boomers
  • Chicago Wolves lose to Grand Rapids Griffins February 2021. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Grand Rapids Griffins blunt Chicago Wolves Hockey 7-0 win streak Chicago

More Related Articles

Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania The “Ricketts affair,” double standards and media hypocrisy Blogger
Western Digital's 8TB MyCloud Home hard drive is worthless at a mere $349. Don't buy it or any of Western Digital's products. They are unreliable. Western Digital hard drives are so unreliable Editors Pick
Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia Drive-Thru Parties News
Jim Garrett, president CEO of Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, donates $1 to buy the site to park board president Marie Ryan and Sen. Hastings Parkland for the future: convert Tinley Park Mental Health Center to recreational center News
Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois Man Sentenced to a Year and a Half in Federal Prison for Covid-Relief Fraud Crime
Seal of DuPage County Lombard Woman Sentenced to 26 Years for Strangling Mother to Death breaking news

Comments (3) on “2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government”

  1. Pingback: Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau - Suburban Chicagoland
  2. Ray Hanania says:
    June 29, 2020 at 4:57 am

    What no press release this time?

    Log in to Reply
  3. Pingback: Coronavirus hits Orland Village Hall as Pekau challenges virus restrictions - Suburban Chicagoland

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 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
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
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield
    October 31, 2025
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown
    October 30, 2025
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations
    October 30, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad
    October 30, 2025
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 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