Village of Orland Park Launches Inaugural Citizens Academy

Seven-Week Program Offers Insight into Village Operations

The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Orland Park Citizens Academy, a new initiative designed to provide residents and local business owners with a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at how their local government operates.

“The Citizens Academy is an exciting opportunity for members of our community to connect with the people and departments that serve them every day,” said Mayor Jim Dodge.

“Our goal is to enhance transparency, promote civic engagement and provide residents with a deeper understanding of how the Village of Orland Park functions.”

This seven-week program will be held Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 18 and continuing through Oct. 30, 2025. Each week, participants will engage directly with Village departments, elected officials and staff to gain firsthand insight into the responsibilities and operations of municipal government.

The program is open to Village residents and local business owners. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Orland Park high school juniors and seniors are also eligible with parental consent. Enrollment is limited to 30 participants, with preference given to those who live or work in the Village. Additional sessions may be offered based on community interest. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.

Orland Park Citizens Academy Schedule:

• Session 1: Village Manager’s Office / Communications & Marketing / HR / IT
  Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue – Village Hall Board Room
• Session 2: Development Services
  Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue – Village Hall Board Room
• Session 3: Recreation & Parks
  Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue – Village Hall Board Room
• Session 4: Public Works
  Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | 15655 S. Ravinia Avenue – Public Works Building
• Session 5: Police Department / Dispatch
  Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | 15100 S. Ravinia Avenue – Police Department Training Room
• Session 6: Engineering
  Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue – Village Hall Board Room
• Session 7: Finance / Government Budgeting
  Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue – Village Hall Board Room

Participants who complete the program will be formally recognized during the Village Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit orlandpark.org/citizensacademy or contact the Mayor’s Office at (708) 403-6100.

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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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