Category: Government

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

August 19, 2025August 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information

August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against former mayor Keith Pekau, ordering him to immediately remove his publication of the Village’s confidential information he received access to while in office, and…

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Village of Orland Park Launches Inaugural Citizens Academy

August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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….

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire Protection District promotes three Firefighters at ceremony

August 13, 2025August 13, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District promotes three Firefighters at ceremony The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) promoted three firefighters to the ranks of Engineer, Lieutenant and Battalion Chief at a special ceremony on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at the District’s Administrative office. Joined by OFPD Trustees DJ Jeffers and Bridget Tolan, Commissioners Brian O’Neill and Mohammed…

Events, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally

August 11, 2025March 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

John Harrell formally announces candidacy to succeed La Shawn Ford at West Side rally Community, religious, and elected leaders endorse Harrell for the 8th State House District at a press conference held at Macarthur Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Monday, April 11, 2025 Chicago, IL – John Harrell formally announced his candidacy for the…

Chicago, elections, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, Maria Pappas, News, news release, NewsWire, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Firefighters battle separate apartment and home fires Friday night

August 9, 2025August 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Firefighters battle separate apartment and home fires Friday night Three residents treated for minor injuries at the scenes, and one firefighter was taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion and released. Firefighters of the Orland Fire Protection District battled two separate fires hours apart on Friday night, one at an apartment building and another…

Fire, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taste of Orland Park Draws Over 35k Attendees in Triumphant Return to Village Center The Village of Orland Park is celebrating the resounding success of its 22nd annual Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, which welcomed more than 35,000 attendees over the course of the weekend. Returning to its original home at the…

Entertainment, Features, food, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry

July 17, 2025July 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh, who was elected to her position with the largest vote turnout in the April 1 elections, is off to an amazing start promoting the needs of the Orland Township community. Even though Orland Township has had a…

food, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Township, Photos, Suburban Chicagoland

Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Northwestern Medicine sponsors Aug 1-3 event packed with music, food and entertainment The Taste of Orland Park, presented by Northwestern Medicine, will return to the Village Center from Aug. 1-3. “We are thrilled to bring the Taste of Orland Park back to…

Events, Festival, food, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt Newly elected Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge detailed the problems that former Mayor Keith Pekau left to the taxpayers of the village he controlled for the past six years including an impending financial debt of $200 million. You can read the entire…

breaking news, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Republican, Suburban Chicagoland

Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission The Orland Fire Protection District’s Board of Fire Commissioners on Monday, July 7, 2025, administered the Oath of Office to Mohammed Jaber, 42, to fill a vacancy on the three-member board. The Fire Commission reviews and recommends issues related to the hiring of firefighters and…

Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Village of Orland Park to Host Annual Veterans Golf Classic

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park to Host Annual Veterans Golf Classic Event to be held August 26 at Silver Lake Country Club, 9:30 a.m. shotgun start Registration is now open for the 2025 Veterans Golf Classic, hosted by the Village of Orland Park. Scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, at Silver Lake Country Club located at 14700…

Entertainment, Golf, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Property tax bills delayed in Orland Township

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Property tax bills delayed in Orland Township Orland Township Assessor Rich E. Kelly made the following announcement Monday, June 30, 2025: When Cook County’s second installment property tax bills are sent on time, tax bills hit mailboxes in late June and are due around August 1, 2025. This year, however, the mailing and due dates…

Government, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day By Jeffery M. Leving This Father’s Day I’d like to pay tribute to a certain segment of fathers that is often overlooked — single and divorced fathers who are raising their children. We often hear about single and divorced mothers who raise their children and while…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Government, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Opinion

Southland manufacturer receives state funding thanks to Hastings

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Southland manufacturer receives state funding thanks to Hastings State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced an Oak Forest manufacturer has been selected to participate in and receive state funding through the Made in Illinois Grant Program. “To keep up with big business, small-scale local manufacturers need support to help them thrive and achieve their goals,” said…

Business, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas plans to postpone the Annual Tax Sale for seven months, during which time she hopes to work with legislators on comprehensive property tax foreclosure reform measures. At Pappas’s urging, the Illinois General Assembly last week passed legislation that allows…

Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” passed the House of Representatives with the unwavering support of Illinois Republicans. A big thank you to Congressman Darin LaHood, Congressman Mike Bost, and Congresswoman Mary Miller for their leadership. This landmark legislation locks in key provisions of the Tax Cuts…

Democrat, Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Republican, Taxes

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager

May 12, 2025May 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager Mayor Pro Tem announced, Downtown Orland Park development reviewed The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the appointment of George Koczwara as Orland Park Village Manager, following a special meeting held on May 12, 2025. Koczwara, who previously served as Orland Park’s Village…

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland