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
  • 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
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings secures $250,000 grant for Easterseals Academy’s Tinley Park campus Health
  • Chicago ranks as 161st worst city for crime in new national survey Chicago
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Kat Abughazaleh raises over $520,000 in Q2 of 2025 with more than $630,000 cash on hand for 2026 Democratic primary election elections
  • Silent Threat: The True Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries — How to Stay Safe and Respond to a Battery Fire Fire

Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power

Posted on February 27, 2023February 27, 2023 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power

By Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania

Mayor Keith Pekau has launched a campaign to silence his critics and expand his power by reducing accountability in Orland Park, the largest municipality between Chicago and Joliet.

His most recent effort to expand power is to remove Orland Park from the “confines” of state laws that define a “professional” and experienced Village Manager.

The Village Managerial System has been in place in Orland Park since 1983 and has been the backbone of every major advancement Orland Park has seen, nearly all implemented by the former Mayor Dan McLaughlin. Although McLaughlin made one crucial mistake which resulted in Pekau’s accidental election, McLaughlin’s 22 years in office were marked with distinction and achievement nurturing Orland into the great city it was when Pekau stumbled into power on his road to authoritarian control.

Since his election, Pekau has done little to advance Orland Park other than announce a few new businesses, give big-buck contracts to cronies and political donors, and bully his critics into silence.

 

Pekau’s biggest achievement is how he has undermined Democracy in Orland Park by consolidating power and silencing diverse voices and criticism that ensure openness and transparency. And, by giving taxpayer contracts to his donors and cronies.

 

Under his “rubber stamp board,” Pekau eliminated all village committees. Orland Park previously had several committees that brought together elected officials, department heads with specialized knowledge and community leader volunteers who helped address specific issues and needs.

Pekau replaced them with one new bully pulpit for himself called the “Committee of the Whole.”

By creating the Committee of the Whole, Pekau has block creative voices and ideas, giving him total dictatorial control over every issue.

There is no longer a diversity of ideas in Orland Park. Just one idea. Pekau’s idea. With no independent trustees, Pekau does whatever he wants, not only skirting Robert’s Rules of Order to inject his opinions into every discussion when he wants, but also ensuring that no one can challenge his flawed thinking without being attacked personally.

Under his predecessors, including McLaughlin, the mayor and village policies often faced challenge and criticism. Challenge and criticism breeds accountability. If something wasn’t right, there was always at least one trustee, or columnist, who challenged the policy and bringing alternative ideas to public light.

Pekau doesn’t want that. Pekau believes he is above accountability and challenge. Critics are personally attacked, and he rarely addresses the issues raised.

Despite Pekau’s tyranny, here are the facts: Eliminating the Village Managerial form of government strips away the professional guidelines that help ensure that taxpayers and residents of a village get someone who knows how to manage an important municipality. Instead, village government will rely on a mayor whose “vast knowledge” is limited to lawn care.

Pekau placed a referendum on the April 4 ballot that reads: “Shall the Village of Orland Park retain the managerial form of government?”

The referendum is written like a double negative to confuse some voters. The resolution should have been written simply as: “Shall the Village of Orland Park eliminate the managerial form of Government” with a clearly understood meaning.

Pekau wants you to think a “No” is the right vote. But under Pekau’s wording, to keep the Village Managerial System you must vote Yes!

Pekau wasn’t waiting to find out if he confused the voters enough. He introduced a law that didn’t say “IF” voters elect to “not retain” the system, but said “Voters have decided” and he went on to explain what he plans to do.

The Pekau ordinance details how he personally will name a new Village Manager that doesn’t have to meet state experience qualifications and only listen to him. (Read the law for yourself and don’t believe Pekau’s exaggerations and falsehoods.)

That new Village Manager would serve until Pekau is removed from office and would get a contract just like the one he is trying to eliminate.

Pekau falsely claims the current Village Manager position operates without accountability. The truth is, under the current system the Village Manager is accountable, but also is of independent professional thought. The mayor and trustees can, at any time, reject recommendations and proposals he (or she) makes.

In other words, under the state-defined, experienced professional Village Manager, the board and mayor HAVE power over him (or her), making the Village Manager accountable.

Under Pekau’s Village Manager law, rubber stamped by his board without even a peep last week, the “Pekau Village Manager” would serve at Pekau’s direction. Pekau, the lawn care man, will be the new Village Manager.

If he wins this referendum, it can apply to any experienced position. For example, why require an experienced police professional to be the Police Chief? Pekau can simply appoint a crony from the lawn care industry or a sycophant.

And why have an elected Board of Trustees? Pekau can eliminate them, too.

Pekau wants power and to control every independent government, too, targeting the school boards, library and fire district (where I do some media work). And he has attacked good journalism like slandering the Illinois Review online news website which offers salient and insightful perspectives on conservative politics that exposes Pekau as a fraud. They have some of the best writers on local and regional politics that you won’t find anywhere else.

Vote YES April 4 on the Village Manager resolution. Reject all the candidates Pekau has endorsed.

Watch an interview I did with Karie Friling, Orland Park’s former professional assistant village manager on my website at Hanania.com to hear the truth for yourself.

(This column first appeared Monday Feb. 27, 2023 in the Southwest News Newspaper Chain which includes the prestigious newspapers, “The Regional Newspaper,” the Des Plaines Valley News and the “Southwest News-Herald.”)

(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


Ray Hanania on Politics podcast logo
Ray Hanania on Politics podcast logo

PS … Follow Ray Hanania on Twitter at Twitter.com/rayhanania. Fight back against #SocialMediaBigBrother

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 announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families - October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat - October 29, 2025
  • Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens - October 29, 2025
NPV: 47
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Accountability, Karie Friling, Keith Pekau, Orland Park, Pekau mudslinging, Pekau silences accountability, power grab, referendum, totalitarian, village manager, Village Managerial System

Post navigation

Previous Post: Getty celebrates 14 years as Lyons Mayor at packed fundraiser at Gibsons
Next Post: Vallas Finishes in First, starts mayoral runoff as clear frontrunner

Related Posts

  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas joins the Arab American Democratic Club (AADCIL.org) Samir Khalil and Sonia Khalil, and the Arab American Chamber of Commerce (AACCUSA.org) Hassan Nijem on Sunday May 16 10 AM to 1 PM at Nikko's Banquet Hall at 7600 S. Harlem Avenue. Pappas will unveil her Arabic language literature as a part of her campaign to reach EVERY Ethnic and National group in Cook County.
    Pappas hosts tax forum Sunday in Bridgeview Chicago
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Who are Ukraine’s greatest supporters next to America? Bill Lipinski
  • US Senator Joe Manchin
    Senator Manchin rejects Build Back Better because of $4.5 trillion cost Federal
  • Cook County Forest Preserve north branch trail miami woods. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Forest Preserve District
    Cook County Forest Preserve to host public events Sept. 26 at forest locations Chicago
  • Jane M. Orient, M.D.
    No, You Do Not Own ‘Your’ Pronouns or My Language Blogger
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The Pappas Portal: Free News You Can Use Cook County

More Related Articles

Chicago Wolves player Andrew Poturalski. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves. https://www.chicagowolves.com Chicago Wolves rally to corral Texas Stars Chicago
Lora Kreczmer Arrest Warrant Chicago Ridge Police Orland Township trustee candidate has outstanding arrest warrant breaking news
Orland Township supervisor Paul O'Grady Paul O’Grady and Orland Township host Senior American Idol March 7, 2024 Baby Boomers
money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash Illinois ranks as 2nd worst state for taxation Business
Hanania column Sept. 7, 2021 on the upside and downside of wearing face masks for seniors. Face Masks, pandemic and “just in case” Baby Boomers
Lightning lit up Chicagoland's skies Monday night in a fantastic display. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Weather gives Chicago suburbs light show Features

Comment (1) on “Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power”

  1. Pingback: Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people - 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
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat
    October 29, 2025
  • 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
    October 29, 2025
  • 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
    October 28, 2025
  • 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
    October 26, 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