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

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • 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
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Chicago Wolves move to Western Conference Finals, May 2022
    Chicago Wolves win Central Division and move on to Western Conference finals Chicago
  • Convicted sex predator Anthony Martin, senior vice president at Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison's company Morrison Security. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Courts
    Sean Morrison’s judgement questioned in defending sexual predator Blogger
  • Republican conservatives Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman, Committeewoman of Orland Township, and Steve Balich, Committeeman of Homer Township, welcomed attendees at a GOP rally Friday May 20, 2022 in Orland Township
    Conservative Republican candidates rally in Orland Township Cook County
  • Chicago Wolves David Gust, from Orland Park in Chicago's Southwest Suburbs. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves winning streak continues, one win away from another sweep Chicago
  • Chicago Wolves own Game 1 against Milwaukee Admirals Chicago
  • Congressman Sean Casten
    Casten Introduces bill to Help Communities Facing Flood Damage   Cook County
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday Blogger
  • ormer City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15 censorship
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair Business
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum breaking news
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess Blogger
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown Business
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters Features
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad gains sole custody to protect son from reported abuse Chicago
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
    Governor Pritzker joins Secretary Pete Buttigieg for ribbon cutting at Joliet Gateway Center’s new Pace bus facility Government
COVID-19 cautions at the 2020 Taste of Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Trustee Jim Dodge from his Facebook Page

Coronavirus cases in Orland Park increase nearly 50 percent in past month

Posted on August 1, 2020August 2, 2020 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Coronavirus cases in Orland Park increase nearly 50 percent in past month
SHARE THIS STORY
583           
 
  
583
Shares

Coronavirus cases in Orland Park increase nearly 50 percent in past month

The popular Taste of Orland Park opened this weekend despite rising cases of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported for Orland Park by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The confirmed cases of Coronavirus have increased 47.4 percent in the past 30 days. Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, who faces re-election in the Spring, asserts Taste of Orland Park will be carefully managed with controlled attendance, but trustees predicted massive financial loses and questioned why the village pushed ahead in the COVID-19 environment rather than rescheduling a bigger festival next year.

By Ray Hanania

The number of confirmed coronavirus COVID-19 cases in the Village of Orland Park have increased nearly 50 percent during the past month portending an alarming rate that many believe is a reflection of the village’s lax attitude towards the virus pandemic.

Despite the steadily rising confirmed cases, Mayor Keith Pekau has argued that they are “asymptomatic” and that the only cases that count are  the ones in which patients end up in a local hospital. As a result, Pekau has pushed ahead with an aggressive program of public events including refusing to cancel this year’s Taste of Orland festival which began July 31, 2020 and will continue through August 2.

Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows Orland Park has recorded as of August 1,  781 confirmed cases of coronavirus. That is compared to 530 confirmed cases reported by the IDPH on July 1, 2020. It is an increase of 251 cases or 47.4 percent change.

COVID-19 cautions at the 2020 Taste of Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Trustee Jim Dodge from his Facebook Page
COVID-19 cautions at the 2020 Taste of Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Trustee Jim Dodge from his Facebook Page

Pekau has argued the increase in COVID-19 testing is driving up the infection numbers, that suggests that if people were not being tested, the numbers would be lower. (Click here to view Mayor Pekau’s video report from July 29, 2020 at the 02:30 video time stamp.)

Pekau argues in the video that the “state positivity rate” is 1.4 percent and applauded residents [13.07 video time stamp] because the Orland Park positivity rate is “only 1.2 percent.” Pekau has also challenged the state’s reporting process asserting that the way they collect data “changes” making their reporting “a bit challenging.” (Click here to see the mayor’s comments at the July 20, 2020 meeting timestamp 36:00)

Village officials argued that past Taste of Orland Park festivals have attracted an average of 10,000 participants per day — citing a total of 40,000 attendees during past events which lasted four-days — this year’s festival is limited to three days and a maximum of 20 percent capacity, or about 2,400 attendees “at one time.” When the 2,400 person capacity is reached, the public will be placed in a “social distancing” waiting line and only allowed in as people depart.

This year’s Taste was cut back to three days suggesting a maximum of 30,000 attendees based on the village’s claim of only 10,000 attendees per day: or, if 40,000, would be an average of 13,000 per day.

Orland Park Trustee Jim Dodge
Orland Park Trustee Jim Dodge

Senior Orland Park Trustee Jim Dodge voted against scheduling the 2020 Taste of Orland this year asking at the last meeting, “why are we doing this?” as the coronavirus pandemic continues unabated.

Taste of Orland costs the village about $200,000. “This year’s taste with limited attendance is not likely to cover those costs,” he told the board recently.

Only 10 restaurants are participating compared to 19 in 2019 and 23 in 2018. The 10 restaurants participating in this year’s Taste are: Barraco’s Pizza, Beggars Pizza, Mo’s Chinese Kitchen, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant, Pita Pita, Pueblito, Square Celt Ale, Smallcakes, and Tradycja according to the Village website.

Trustee Dan Calandriello also criticized the scheduling of the Taste of Orland Park given the COVID-19 threat, saying, “How much money are we going to be losing? … I think we are going to lose our shirt, and our shoes and our everything on this. And just for something to feel good I don’t think is the right thing to do.” 

Dodge predicted on his Facebook Page Friday (July 31, 2020) that the taxpayers will lose about $100,000 in moving forward with this year’s Taste of Orland Park.

“Taste of Orland 2020 will be shadow of what it was. That’s why I recommended we cancel it, save the money and make next year’s bigger and better. The Mayor and the Politics over People party think otherwise,” Dodge wrote on his Facebook page.

“Capacity will be limited to 2500, not the 10,000+ on the weekends that made it a great, big block party. If you get there and it’s at capacity, you get to stand line. There will be maybe 10 restaurants, not 20+.”

Dodge noted that attendees will not be required to wear face masks, something village officials confirmed at the July 20 meeting. The public was told by the Pekau administration at the July 20 meeting that “Masks will be encouraged; we can’t require masks.”

“The Village has ‘tort immunity’ so you won’t have much luck in court suing us. I’ve encouraged everyone to read the ‘reopening plan’ for Orland. The very FIRST page was written by our lawyers … The open legal questions about the Governor’s orders is NOT a settled matter. It’s still in court. The businesses must be very mindful of what their insurance companies might do, given those open legal questions in a pandemic,” Dodge cautioned.

Dodge asked the obvious question: “If you were a Village staff member or Taste Vendor, would you want to work? Round numbers, this will lose about 100 grand. And by the way, village sales tax revenues are down. We are living thru a modern equivalent of the 1918 Pandemic, The Great Depression of the 1930’s and the social unrest of the 1960’s, all at once. The best option would have been to make bigger plans for next year.”

Attendees at this year’s Taste report that attendance is down significantly. The argument that attendance can be managed at 2,400 at one time presume that the average of 10,000 people who attend the Taste do so throughout the day but in fact, the majority of attendees at past Tastes show up in the late afternoon and probably exceed 5,000. People are complaining on social media about long lines and low attendance.

Dodge who served as Village Clerk from 1989 until 1996, and as Trustee since 1996, has an excellent understanding of village finances and a keen sense of the challenges that face the village in the pandemic.

Pekau, a former landscaper who is paid $150,000 a year in salary as the village’s part time mayor, completes his first term in office in the Spring.

Video from the first day of Taste of Orland Park shows that most attendees are not wearing facemarks and that attendance is extremely low.

Check out the Political Pundit for August 2, 2020

The Political Pundit Comic Strip for August 2, 2020. "The Wrath of Keith" by Ray Hanania
The Political Pundit Comic Strip for August 2, 2020. “The Wrath of Keith” by Ray Hanania

One outloud laugh at a time sometimes isn’t enough LOL

.

The Political Pundit Comic Strip for August 1, 2020

The Political Pundit Comic Strip 08-01-20 Taste of Orland Park

  • 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.  

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.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Chicago Wolves win Central Division and move on to Western Conference finals - May 28, 2022
  • Sean Morrison’s judgement questioned in defending sexual predator - May 26, 2022
  • Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor - May 24, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
583           
 
  
583
Shares
 
583
Shares
 
 
 583         
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:confirmed cases, Coronavirus, COVID-19, increased nearly 50 percent, Mayor Keith Pekau, Orland Park, Pandemic, Taste of Orland Park, Trustee Dan Calandriello, Trustee Jim Dodge, virus

Post navigation

Previous Post: Park dedication on Saturday
Next Post: The Political Pundit Comic Strip: The Wrath of Keith

Related Posts

  • Congressman Dan Lipinski presents a Senior Volunteer Service Award to Cynthia Salvino, a special events liaison for the Town of Cicero. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero
    Lipinski hosts 3 events, Town Hall Meeting, Veterans Fair and Senior Fairs Government
  • 3rd Congressional District Congresswoman Marie Newman
    Newman claims victory over Lipinski in 3rd Congressional District breaking news
  • Tammy Wendt announces for Cook County Board of Review race
    Tammy Wendt to challenge Patlak at Cook County Board of Review elections
  • About two dozen immigrants who were sworn in as citizens this year returned to Cicero Town Hall Tuesday, June 12, 2018 to thank officials of the Town of Cicero for providing the guidance and education to help become U.S. citizens. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero and Gerardo Lopez.
    Dingell Votes to Extend Protections for TPS Recipients, Dreamers Government
  • Tax incentive keeps Atlas in Lyons News
  • Former Mayor Dan McLaughlinchallenges beleaguered Mayor Keith Pekau int he April 2021 election. Photo courtesy of th eOne Orland Party website.
    McLaughlin slams bill that undermines police elections

More Related Articles

Summit’s Katie 3rd in “Voice” News
Mayor Keith Pekau of Orland Park joins officials and employees at Old Navy, which was damaged by fire last April, in reopening on Friday May 25, 2018. Photo courtesy of Old Navy Orland Mayor Pekau honors Old Navy manager at grand opening Business
Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting. Former Orland Park trustee announces Democratic candidacy for Cook County 17th District Cook County
Commander Michael Meno, a 1991 Carl Sandburg High School graduate and native of Orland Park, Illinois. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bradley Gee Orland Park native exemplifies “We Build, We Fight” legacy of Navy Seabees News
Oprah Winfrey joins Michelle and Barack Obama in 2007. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Things that upset me and should upset you Baby Boomers
Congressman Dan Lipinski Lipinski introduces bill to end prescription price gouging Baby Boomers

Comment (1) on “Coronavirus cases in Orland Park increase nearly 50 percent in past month”

  1. Pingback: The Political Pundit Comic Strip: The Wrath of Keith - Suburban Chicagoland

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Convicted sex predator Anthony Martin, senior vice president at Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison's company Morrison Security. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Courts
    Sean Morrison’s judgement questioned in defending sexual predator
    May 26, 2022
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday
    May 18, 2022
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess
    May 8, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police
    May 3, 2022
  • Pekau Sign place along curb.
    Crime is down for everyone but Pekau, he claims
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicagos first minority and Woman Mayor Jane M. Byrne is often ignored by the mainstream media. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Remembering Great Chicago Mayors, not just one
    April 23, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). Illinois Secretary of Sta... Illinois Secretary of State's race is a mess Most elections are pretty muc... posted on May 8, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago. Mayor Lightfoot accused o... Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdo... posted on May 7, 2022
  • Classic and great tasting Shish Kabob plate with skewers of beef, lamb, and kuftah on a bed of yellow and red rice at Zwar in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Finally an Arab Restauran... Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love One of the b... posted on April 29, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania The Political Pundit Comi... The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police... posted on May 3, 2022
  • Suspect Joseph Guzman, 20, charged in two separate homicides that took the lives of three people. April 28, 2022. Mugshot courtesy of the Cicero Police Cicero Police and Illinoi... Cicero Police and Illinois State police announce murder charges against two... posted on April 28, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Chicago Wolves move to Western Conference Finals, May 2022
    Chicago Wolves win Central Division and move on to Western Conference finals
    May 28, 2022
  • John B. Schulz, 36, of the 7400 block of Brookside Drive in Hanover Park
    Hanover Park Man Charged with Multiple Felonies After Attempt to Meet Minor for Sex
    May 27, 2022
  • ‘Weird Al’ vanity tour a smash
    May 27, 2022
  • La Grange Pet Parade returns to roots
    May 26, 2022
  • ‘Oui’ to a Paris vacation
    May 26, 2022
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor
    May 24, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022
  • Amazon.com's "Day 1" tower in Seattle, WA in January 2017. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Clifford Law to sue Amazon after employee is killed by tornado at downstate distribution center
    January 16, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

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.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wolves move to Western Conference Finals, May 2022
    Chicago Wolves win Central Division and move on to Western Conference finals
    May 28, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves David Gust, from Orland Park in Chicago's Southwest Suburbs. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves winning streak continues, one win away from another sweep
    May 23, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves own Game 1 against Milwaukee Admirals
    May 21, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021
    Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards
    May 1, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • John B. Schulz, 36, of the 7400 block of Brookside Drive in Hanover Park
    Hanover Park Man Charged with Multiple Felonies After Attempt to Meet Minor for Sex
    May 27, 2022
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor
    May 24, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum
    May 16, 2022
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters
    May 6, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown
    May 7, 2022
  • John Husnick provides direction at Worth Township Career Fair
    Building Trades Career Fair offers opportunities for students
    April 29, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Leving to present on dad’s rights legal issues at Horasis Global meeting Friday March 4, 2022
    March 3, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme