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
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • 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
Face mask signs posted by businesses in Orland Park that are demonstrating concern and leadership is helping to suppress the spread of the coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Coronavirus COVID-19 infections continue to surge in Orland Park: Opinion

Posted on January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Coronavirus COVID-19 infections continue to surge in Orland Park: Opinion
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Coronavirus COVID-19 infections continue to surge in Orland Park: Opinion

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase, not dissipate in Orland Park in part because of the failure of the Mayor to serve as a role model for strong anti-infection practices including the wearing of face masks. Pekau has opposed efforts to require the wearing of face masks which every responsible medical official including at the CDC recommends as an effective way to prevent COVID-19 infection coupled with other measures including social distancing, and washing hands and surfaces constantly.

By Ray Hanania

In the wake of the casual attitude of the Village of Orland Park’s government, the infection rate for Coronavirus COVID-19 continues to increase at an alarming rate with the new totals jumping dramatically again during the past month by nearly 1,200, an infection rate that reflects a 10.1 percent positivity rate.

The current infection total in Orland Park is 4,659, compared to 3,463 recorded on Dec. 1, 2020, one month ago. The monthly rate continues to increase in part, many critics argue, because of the loose policies of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau when it comes to the wearing of face masks. Pekau has urged that residents maintain social distancing and take precautions, but he has always stopped short of urging residents to wear face masks, and he led a fight to defeat a proposal to mandate the wearing of face masks, even though most responsible businesses that are concerned for the public well-being have posted signs requiring the wearing of face masks in their businesses.

The increase to 4,659 reflects a 10.1 percent positivity rate for the total tests taken of 46,242, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health’s public website.

Orland Park Trustee Kathy Fenton wearing a face mask. Photo courtesy of Village of Orland Park
Orland Park Trustee Kathy Fenton wearing a face mask. Fenton was ridiculed at a prior meeting by one of Pekau’s minions for wearing the face mask during a board meeting. Photo courtesy of Village of Orland Park

=======================

10.1 percent infection rate in Orland Park.
The infection rate continues to go up and down but it is maintaining
a steady and disconcerting rate in Orland park.
The monthly increase in infections continues to surge

=======================

The CDC recommends that Americans’ wear face masks but Pekau and his allies on the Orland Park Village Board refuse to wear them except in exceptional circumstances. They seem to want to avoid serving as role models for precautions to prevent COVID-19 infections arguing that everyone should do what they feel is needed, based on their individual circumstances.

Orland Park has a population of 58,312 residents. Almost 10 percent of the village population has been infected, and that only reflects those who have taken the COVID-19 tests. If more take the test the infection rate would certainly be expected to grow.

Pekau’s defenders have personally attacked anyone who has challenged the mayor’s position on the fight against the virus and the wearing of face masks, avoiding addressing the issues and instead focusing almost completely in personal attacks and name calling.

For example, Mayor Pekau and his small collection of supporters, have attacked Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady for his expressions of concerns for the community and his urging of residents to take the step of wearing face masks whenever they are in public.

Here’s the tabulation that you will not find on the website of the Village of Orland Park which appears to be downplaying the virus threat, and by a Mayor who appears to not be taking the infection rate seriously enough.

    • Jan. 1, 2021: 4,659 total infections.
    • Dec. 1, 2020: 3,463 total infections.
    • Nov. 1, 2020: 2,094 total infections.
    • Oct. 1, 2020: 1,398 total infections.
    • Sept. 1, 2020: 1,078 total infections.
    • Aug. 1, 2020: 781 total infections.
    • July 1, 2020: 530 total infections.

It’s pretty clear that the infection rate would have gone down and not continued its strong surge upwards had the Mayor taken a more serious approach to the pandemic, not turning it into a political issue and seeing Coronavirus as a truly threatening health issue.

The infection rate coincidentally began to surge after one of Pekau’s Village Board trustee minions , who wasn’t wearing a face mask during the board meeting, last April ridiculed another trustee who was wearing a face mask suggesting she wear Duct Tape over her mouth, instead of a face mask.

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and his allies on the board not wearing face masks during the recent lighting of the Village Christmas Tree, Nov. 29, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park Facebook Page.
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and his allies on the board not wearing face masks during the recent lighting of the Village Christmas Tree, Nov. 29, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park Facebook Page.

Pekau has attempted to assert that his attitude towards the coronavirus is based on his concerns for local small businesses. But the surge in infections actually hinders the progress of small businesses returning to normal with more and more residents realizing that failure to take strong measures to confront the virus is allowing the pandemic to continue unabated longer. Many residents rightly refuse to enter any business that does not have a clear sign requiring customers to wear face masks. 

Why take the health risk in those businesses with the lax policies?

It was in April 2020 that Trustee Dan Calandriello recommended that the Village Board take action to support small businesses, but Pekau blasted Calandriello and his board minions, placing politics over people, blocked Calandriello’s efforts. It wasn’t until six weeks later that Pekau reversed himself and claimed that he was concerned about the virus impact on businesses and initiated weak policies to help those small businesses.

Pekau has isolated himself from state and regional public officials, denouncing nearly all of them from Governor to State Legislators to the Township in a political move to define his extreme rightwing agenda he believes will appeal to many in Orland Park.

But although Orland Park voted for President Trump over Joe Biden in the Nov. 3, 2020 election, Trump’s vote attracted support from not only Republicans, conservative and centrist to conservative Democrats. Those patterns will not translate into support for Pekau’s extremist political agenda which is based on aggressively attacking his critics personally and frequently. That vicious style of personal attacks by Pekau is his weakness and will be his undoing.

Face mask signs posted by businesses in Orland Park that are demonstrating concern and leadership is helping to suppress the spread of the coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Face mask signs posted by businesses in Orland Park that are demonstrating concern and leadership is helping to suppress the spread of the coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

In the November 3, 2020 election, Trump received 23,869 votes within Orland Township. A total of 18,454 votes went to Joe Biden. Trump’s support actually dropped significantly from 24,841 cast for him in 2016 when he defeated Hillary Clinton.

Pekau has attacked anyone who has dared to challenge his dictates and political tyranny, attacking journalists, columnists, elected officials and community activists in the most personal and vile manner.

The real question is though, can Orland Park residents and businesses survive even three month months of Pekau’s government control and failures. His inability to work with other elected officials has cost Orland Park millions in support and funding. Orland Park has been pushed to the back of the line when it comes to the state. And while Pekau blames that on Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the real cause is his failure to be able to build coalitions and reach consensus.

It’s all or nothing for Pekau as the village stumbles into the April elections and we know how that strategy ends.

Face mask signs posted by businesses in Orland Park that are demonstrating concern and leadership is helping to suppress the spread of the coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Face mask signs posted by businesses in Orland Park that are demonstrating concern and leadership is helping to suppress the spread of the coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

 

Face mask signs posted by businesses in Orland Park that are demonstrating concern and leadership is helping to suppress the spread of the coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Face mask signs posted by businesses in Orland Park that are demonstrating concern and leadership is helping to suppress the spread of the coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

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)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 36
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Business, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Coronavirus, COVID-19, Illinois Department of Public Health, Mayor Keith Pekau, Orland Park, Pandemic, rising infections ate, small businesses, virus, virus surges

Post navigation

Previous Post: Bridgeview OKs budget
Next Post: Marie Newman sworn in as Congresswoman for 3rd District

Related Posts

  • Police Blotter
    Bond Set at $2 Million for Chicago Man Accused of Shooting Pregnant Woman in the Back While Driving on Route 83 Crime
  • Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow
    Will County Prosecutor Glasgow files suit against Pritzker’s Safe-T Act Chicago
  • August 21, 2017 Solar Eclipse from Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Witnessing the total Solar Eclipse in 1963 Baby Boomers
  • Federal Judge Enters Judgment in Favor of Orland Fire Protection District News
  • Rockford IceHogs beat Chicago Wolves Oct. 10, 2019 by a 3-2 score
    Chicago Wolves rally past Rockford IceHogs Chicago
  • Bernard Kerik, former New York City Police Commissioner, endorses Scott Kaspar for US Congress in 6th District
    Kaspar Announces Public Safety Task Force, Led by 40th Police Commissioner of New York City, Bernard B. Kerik Crime

More Related Articles

money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash Pappas: Pay Cook County property taxes through October 1 with no penalty Cook County
Classified Ads at SuburbanChicagoland.com and TheArabDailyNews.com Classifieds: Job available in health and social services Business
Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving. Specializing in Fathers' Rights, Family Law, Child custody, divorce proceedings Falsely accused dad wins in court Jeffery Leving
Harper College campus center. WalletHub lists Best and Worst Community Colleges Education
Cicero First deputy Police Supt. Luis Gutierrez. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero Cicero First Deputy Police Chief named head of West Suburban Chiefs of Police (WSCOP) Crime
Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025 In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run Chicago

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
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 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