Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Ray Hanania’s columns this week on Chicago, Orland Park and the Arab American community A look at some of the most recent columns published by award-winning political and satire columnist Ray Hanania. The columns examine the political war at Chicago City Hall between aldermen and Mayor Brandon Johnson, and the continued financial exaggerations and political…
Pekau Allies Removed from Electoral Board by Cook County Judge Two of the most vicious and controversial members of the Orland Park Village Board, Cindy Katsenes and Bill Healy, were ordered removed by a Cook County Judge from serving on the Village Election Board named by Mayor Keith Pekau to oversee a faulty challenge to…
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Orland Park Police Department Releases Thanksgiving Enforcement Numbers The Orland Park Police Department conducted a traffic safety campaign from Nov. 22 to Dec. 2 aimed at reminding motorists to buckle up and drive sober. The “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization was carried out by the Orland Park Police…
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Illinois Attorney General slams Orland Park for withholding critical information on unfiled annual audits By Ray Hanania In another major setback for Keith Pekau, the besieged MAYOR of Orland Park in suburban Chicagoland, the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul ordered the village to release the correspondence between the village and its auditors. The issue surfaced…
Jaber urges Village Board to stop undermining the Orland Park Public Library system Mohammed Jaber, Candidate for Orland Park Trustee in the Feb 25 and April 1 elections, steps up to defend the Orland Library from attacks by the Orland Park Village Board and Mayor Pekau. Orland Park, IL — Orland Park Trustee candidate Mohammed…
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Orland School District 135 turns sex abuse case involving 2 female students into victim shaming By Ray Hanania Everyone remembers in January 2015 when an Elementary School District 135 teacher, Cara Labus, was arrested on charges of sexually abusing two young school girls, aged 14, beginning in 2008 in suburban Orland Park. The case was…
Comptroller’s Office comments on Pekau Administration’s “resolution” Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza responds to lies and exaggerations made by beleaguered Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and his rubber stamp board which has mishandled the village’s finances distinguishing themselves by being among only a few governments that have failed to file two annual financial audits in…
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Taxpayer advocate Mohammed Jaber files for Orland Park Village Trustee in 2025 elections Orland Park, IL — Education leader Mohammed Jaber Friday announced he is running for Orland Park Village Trustee to break the “rubber stamp” that has driven increased village fees and property taxes and to restore the publics participation in local government that…
Candidate for Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge and slate file 4,236 petition signatures for April election ORLAND PARK, IL – Mayoral candidate Jim Dodge and his slate filed 4,236 petition signatures today to nominate their new Orland Park for All Party for the April 1, 2025, municipal elections. This total significantly exceeds the required minimum…
Arab Americans honored by Treasurer Pappas as part of program recognizing all ethnic groups By Ray Hanania Chicago, IL — Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, honored a dozen Arab Americans for their leadership and positive contributions to the community as a part of an overall commitment on her part to…
Seasons 52 restaurant arrives in Orland Park Restaurant Offers Seasonally Inspired Dining with Every Menu Item Under 595 Calories, opens Orland Park location officially Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 Seasons 52, a fresh grill and wine bar, is opening in Orland Park on Monday, November 4. The restaurant offers guests a better way to eat and…
PRESS RELEASE: Town Hall meeting in Orland Park Wednesday to address 3 NEW TIFS and impact on taxpayers, homeowners Town Hall meeting will explain and identify issues with Orland Park’s current Triangle TIF and 3 New TIFs being considered by Village of Orland Park Tom Tresser, a recognized authority on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts…
Tresser to lead Town Hall on damage Orland Park’s 3 New TIFs will have on taxpayers A Town Hall meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 beginning at 6:30 PM to help homeowners and taxpayers in Orland Park understand the negative impact on local governments and schools that the three NEW TIFs that…
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State Comptroller Susana Mendoza takes tough action against Orland Park over unfiled audits Comptroller Mendoza Suspends Payments to the Village of Orland Park for Failure to File Documents. The move aims to motivate Orland Park’s administration to follow the law without penalizing town residents By Ray Hanania Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza took tough action on…
Orland Park Police Department Participates in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Residents are encouraged to clean out medicine cabinets to keep dangerous drugs from falling into the wrong hands The Orland Park Police Department joins law enforcement agencies across the country for the annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 26. Residents…
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Orland Park withholds Finance and TIF audits and brings State censure State Comptroller Susana Mendoza slaps the wrist of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau as TIFs, Taxes, and Audits continue to plague the Southwest suburban village, but is it enough? By Ray Hanania State Comptroller Susana Mendoza suspended the Village of Orland Park from the…
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Orland Park Police to Host Annual Seniors Luncheon The Orland Park Police Department will host a complimentary luncheon for area seniors at noon on Monday, October 14 at the Orland Park Civic Center, located at 14750 S. Ravinia Avenue. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone again during this annual event,” said Chief of Police…
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School District 230 welcomes students to Board of Education Committees Students from across Consolidated High School 230 are adding their voices to Board of Education committee meetings. Specifically, three students from each school have been selected to serve on each of the three Board of Education Committees – Education, Student Support & Development, and Building…
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