Village of Orland Park Receives Clean Audit Opinion for Fiscal Year 2024

Audit Completed on Time for First Time in Three Years

By Ray Hanania

After former Mayor Keith Pekau attempted to politicize the Village of Orland Park’s financial spending and his growing debt by intentionally withholding the filing of financial audits in 2022 and 2023, newly elected Mayor Jim Dodge has restored the village’s credibility, ensuring that all audits and filings have been done properly.

As mayor, Pekau ordered that the village’s Financial Department not file the audits for those two years and also that they not disclose the growing village debt until after the election.

Dodge, a veteran former Village trustee involved in the village’s finances for many years, was elected on April 1, 2025, in a landslide voter rejection of Pekau’s mishandling of the village government services, finances, and board meetings.

In contrast to Pekau’s deceptions, lies, and exaggerations as the village CEO, Dodge has been open, honest and accountable to the public, warning that Pekau’s mishandling of the village finances has created a massive projected debt that could reach $250 million from the $60 million it was when Pekau took control. Click here to read the detailed story.

At the August 18, 2025 Board of Trustees meeting, Anthony Cervini of Sikich LLC, the Village’s contracted auditor, presented the results of the Village of Orland Park’s Fiscal Year 2024 audit. Formally referred to as the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the audit received a clean opinion, representing the highest level of assurance an independent auditor can provide.

This week, Dodge released news that the 2024 audits were filed on time and were given a “clean” review, ensuring that the village’s spending and finance plans are being pursued in the best interests of Orland Park taxpayers.

Here is the press release that Dodge’s administration released:

This year’s audit was also notable for being completed on time for the first time in three years, a milestone that highlights the Village’s renewed focus on financial transparency, accountability, and organizational stability.

Mayor Jim Dodge emphasized the importance of this achievement, stating:

“Receiving a clean opinion is critical to maintaining the trust of our residents, taxpayers, business community, and bond rating agencies. Just as important is completing the audit in a timely manner. This is an important step for Orland Park to restore its long-term reputation when it comes to sound financial management.  It speaks to the professionalism and dedication of our staff, as they worked through prior challenges to demonstrate a renewed commitment to sound financial management.”

Village Manager George Koczwara credited the progress to a reset in direction and focus:

“After a difficult last reporting period, we have made it a priority to get the Village back on track with reporting, with better structure and workflows. Timely financial reporting is an essential part of effective governance, and this year’s audit shows that we are taking concrete steps to restore stability and financial reporting diligence in Orland Park.”

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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.

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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.

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