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Pekau campaign signs violate village ordinances

Pekau and his endorsed candidates want you to believe that they care about the people of Orland Park. But clearly, they don’t care about the Orland Park Village Ordinances, which are evident when you look at the illegal placement of most of their signs. The “Pekau over People” slate has the Village removing signs that are not in alignment with the village Ordinance on Political Signs, except for their own signs which are everywhere, on private property, prairies, in the strip malls of the mayor’s cronies and contractors, and up and down main streets. See for yourself.

By RayHanania

When you are evaluating candidates for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan election, you might want to consider how they abide by the existing village laws.

If they are supported by Orland Park’s beleaguered Mayor Keith Pekau, apparently they don’t care about village laws. Of course, Pekau’s candidates — under the slate of “Pekau over People” — are trying to be like him.

And Mayor Pekau doesn’t abide by the laws at all, sending out emails using the village email list, using the Village website to advocate for a political position in the April 4 election on the issue of Village Manager, and, in this election, only removing campaign signs from candidates he does not support from the village streets.

That’s our Mayor, “Pekau over People.”

Campaign signs that violate Orland Park Village Ordinance, less than 5 feet from property line (sidewalk) or placed along major streets

According to the Village Laws, campaign signs must be at least 5 feet from a homeowners property line on their property. And, they can’t be on the public thoroughfare or against the curbs of major roadways like LaGranGe Road, 143rd Street, 151st Street or on 159th Street.

On private property like homes, the property line is the sidewalk, so signs must be placed five feet from the sidewalk. In no case can signs be placed on major roads along the curb as they may cause a distraction for drivers.

Here’s the information on the village ordinance (Section 6-307-D-1-4):

4. Political Campaign Signs. In accordance with 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1-12, as amended from time to time, political signs meeting the following requirements are allowed:

a. The sign(s) shall meet all General Standards within Section 6-307.C. of the Land Development Code;

b. The sign(s) shall be located on private properties with permission from the property owner;

c. The sign(s) may be Yard (Pin) Signs or a type of allowable sign,

d. The sign(s) shall be set back a minimum of five feet (5′) from all property lines, walks/paths, and access drives;

e. The sign(s) shall not exceed five feet (5′) in overall height when measured from grade;

f. The sign shall not be installed above the roof line when located on a building;

The “Pekau over People” slate of candidates have their signs everywhere, almost all in violation of village law. If candidate’s disrespect local laws, how can you expect them to be good village officials?

All you have to do is open your eyes and see for yourself.

But here are photos of the campaign signs that violate the fundamental basics of the village ordinance:

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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.

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