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
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau lectures the state on how his administration has "led the way" in refusing to abide by state directives to confront the COVID threat that has taken more than 900,000 American lives during a board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 and then used the speech as the basis for a fundraiser solicitation for his candidacy for Congress

YouTube silences more of Pekau’s “medical” observations on COVID

Posted on February 9, 2022April 28, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on YouTube silences more of Pekau’s “medical” observations on COVID
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

YouTube silences more of Pekau’s “medical” observations on COVID

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau uses taxpayer-funded Village Board meeting to make a political speech against COVID mandates and uses that speech in his campaign for Congress to solicit funding

By Ray Hanania

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, who has made himself a laughing stock among Illinois elected officials and the medical profession, again used the Village Board meeting at a forum this week to promote his misinformation on COVID and as a platform to promote his candidacy for Congress in the Republican primary election for the 6th District.

During a village board meeting, Pekau repeated five-day-old news that a Sangamon County Court judge had issued a Temporary Restraining Order on Friday blocking Governor J.B. Pritzker’s much-criticized mask mandate for schools. The TRO allows school boards to set their own policies for wearing face masks, a proven means of preventing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, which has taken more than 900,000 American lives during the past two years.

Pekau posted the video on YouTube, but it was removed with a warning from the Social Media giant that read, “Our team has reviewed your content, and, unfortunately, we think it violates our medical misinformation policy.”

Despite YouTube’s ruling, Pekau made the comments in his capacity as a taxpayer-paid municipal elected official at a taxpayer-funded village board meeting, and then used the video of his lecture at the board meeting to promote himself for Congress and to ask email recipients of his eNewsletter to donate to his Federal political campaign.

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau lectures the state on how his administration has "led the way" in refusing to abide by state directives to confront the COVID threat that has taken more than 900,000 American lives during a board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 and then used the speech as the basis for a fundraiser solicitation for his candidacy for Congress
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau lectures the state on how his administration has “led the way” in refusing to abide by state directives to confront the COVID threat that has taken more than 900,000 American lives during a board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 and then used the speech as the basis for a fundraiser solicitation for his candidacy for Congress

 

Pekau noted correctly what everyone already knew, that High School District 230 and Elementary School District 134 had directed that the wearing of face masks was optional. Pekau then called on school districts 140 and 146 and the private schools “to do the same.”

If anything, School District 230’s board has demonstrated reasoned and commonsense medical practices to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID virus and its many deadly strains. District 230 deserves the accolades far more than a rightwing extremist who has used the COVID virus to viciously bully his critics and columnists like myself who have challenged Pekau to be accountable to the people who pay his salary, the taxpayers of Orland Park.  (Even though it is no longer as much as he might have wanted.)

Pekau falsely implied that a village resolution urging that face masks not be mandatory which had been adopted by his administration last August some how had an impact in the TRO. It did not. And, Pekau arrogantly mocked Governor Pritzker for issuing 100 executive orders on COVID, orders that Pekau failed to note in many cases helped to prevent the spread of the virus in Illinois and especially to the state’s most vulnerable residents, senior citizens.

Pekau bragged that “we were right” when the board refused to follow the governor’s action and claimed that the village has been the leader in dealing with COVID, allowing businesses to make their own decisions about how to deal with COVID.

A lot of people were “right.” But it is so inappropriate to exploit the issue rather than develop smart policies to minimize the spread of COVID. Fortunately, most Orland Park residents are educated and smart and have done a good job of protecting themselves from the spread of the virus.

Many people questioned the wisdom of mandates, but Pekau took it further, implying on many occasions by his actions and his words that face masks were not important in preventing the spread of the virus.

Here is the campaign solicitaion from his campaign email sent Wednesday evening:

Text from the email Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau uses an impromptu speech at the Village Board meeting Tuesday as a campaign platform for his candidacy for Congress in the 6th District
Text from the email Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau uses an impromptu speech at the Village Board meeting Tuesday as a campaign platform for his candidacy for Congress in the 6th District

 

“It is time for the governor to follow the data, the facts, and the constitution. Stop issuing emergency orders and allow residents, businesses, and communities to make decisions that are best for them, like it should have been all along. I want to thank you for all of the trustees for having the courage to follow the Constitution. It was not easy. We have all been personally attacked and received vile emails and comments.”

Everyone gets vile emails and personal attacks, and Pekau is the leader when it comes to attacking people personally. But Pekau reads those emails to build up sympathy for himself.

Although Pekau’s comments play into the confusion about COVID he has helped to foment over the past two years through his constant rejection of the efforts by the state to apply CDC guidelines and medical experts, Pekau has no chance of winning the congressional seat.

The leading candidate in the Republican Primary is Scott Kaspar who also has openly and publicly BUT smartly challenged the issue of COVID mandates, which many people legitimately oppose. The only difference is Pekau did his best to take the issue to the extreme for his own political benefit.

COVID mandates are extreme, and most reasoned people oppose them. The wearing of face masks, which his administration allies have ridiculed often, is one that should be encouraged as a personal choice of each individual.

( Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter. A political analyst and CEO of Urban Strategies Group, Hanania’s opinion columns on mainstream issues are published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group in the Des Plaines Valley News, Southwest News-Herald, The Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers. His Middle East columns are published in the Arab News. For more information on Ray Hanania visit www.Hanania.com or email him at [email protected].)

 

SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Subscribe to Ray's columns

Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

* indicates required field.

 

Select Email Format


Two Guys on Politics podcast with Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania www.TwoGuysonPolitics.com

PS … Follow me on Gettr the Uncensored Twitter. Gettr.com/user/rayhanania Fight back against #SocialMediaBigBrother

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: 32
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Government, Health, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:COVID, Elementary School District 130, face masks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, High School District 230, Keith Pekau, mask mandates, Sagamon County Judge

Post navigation

Previous Post: Interview: Animal Rights activist Carole Baskin on “It’s Not So Late Show” with Aaron Hanania
Next Post: Labor endforsements for Congresswoman Newman in 6th District race grows

Related Posts

  • Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly
    Taxpayers have an extra month to pay First Installment of Tax Bills Cook County
  • Thirteen talented seniors have been chosen to compete for the title of 2021 Orland Township Senior American Idol! Join Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees for an evening of dinner, dancing, and jaw-dropping performances this October. Photo courtesy of Orland Township
    Orland Township’s Senior American Idol Returning This Fall Baby Boomers
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny Blogger
  • Patrick J. Kennedy Courtesy of Wikipedia
    At-risk populations need to be priority beyond vaccine Blogger
  • Lincoln Park High school
    Chicago leaders and legislators urge safer return for Chicago school students Chicago
  • Lyons Township Democrats Host Fall Fest Sept. 17
    Lyons Township Democrats to host annual FallFest on Sept. 17 Cook County

More Related Articles

Who is Rauner trying to fool? Editors Pick
American Bald Eagle over Candlewick Lake. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Winter viewing of Bald Eagles best in Quad Cities region Editors Pick
Township of Lyons clerk retires News
Lauren Staley-Ferry, Will County Board member and candidate for Will County Clerk in the March 20, 2018 Democratic Primary election Will County Clerk race shows how little media cares about real issues Blogger
Orland Fire Protection DIstrict responds to house fire on the 16000 block of Haven Ave. in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection DIstrict Home Fire in Orland Park: no one injured Cook County
Closure sign placed by a Task Force of Police and Inspectors harassing Arab American owned businesses in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is a minority community abuser Blogger

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