Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Katsenes and Pekau are angry that I blew the whistle on their TIF district threat to taxpayers By Ray Hanania 09-04-24 The dangers of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s secretive TIF district proposals I am not surprised Orland Park Trustee Cindy Katsenes, a local realtor with Village Realty, attacked me personally at the Village Board…
Orland Fire District hosts Open House Saturday 11 AM to 2 PM with live emergency/life saving demonstrations The Orland Fire Protection District will host its annual Open House on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 11 AM until 2 PM featuring live demonstrations in fighting fires and engaging in life-saving rescues. The Open House is one of…
Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits Orland Park, IL — Plans by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau to create three TIF districts to address “blighted land developments” should be put on hold until after he releases two delinquent financial audits detailing the true nature of the…
Unincorporated Orland homeowners blast mayor’s annexation move Residents of Unincorporated Orland Township blast Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau for trying to grab their land and violate their rights. Residents say Mayor Pekau failed to properly notify them of his plans that began quietly in 2022 and continued to 2023 before residents could address the board…
Read More “Unincorporated Orland homeowners blast mayor’s annexation move” »
Senior rescued while sleeping in a 4 unit Orland Park townhouse as fire spread through walls and attic Two of four units in Orlando Park townhouse were severely damaged an uninhabitable, including the senior’s unit The Orland Fire Protection District responded at 6:51 pm to reports of smoke coming out of the eves of a…
Garage Fire in Orland Park Wednesday extinguished, no casualties The Orland Fire District responded to a reported garage fire located in the 8900 block of Oakdale Court in Orland Park on Wednesday August 7th, 2024 at at 4:51 pm. Multiple 911 calls were received for a reported garage fire. Companies arrived on the scene and…
Read More “Garage Fire in Orland Park Wednesday extinguished, no casualties” »
“Huge fire” damages UFC Gym in Orland Park Thursday The Orland Fire District responded at 2:31 pm on Thursday, June 20, 2024 to a reported fire in the UFC Gym located at 66 Orland Square Drive, Unit C, in the Orland Park Mall complex. Multiple 911 calls were received for a fire in the rear…
Read More ““Huge fire” damages UFC Gym in Orland Park Thursday” »
Orland’s Pekau rejects contract renewal for Village Manager George Koczwara Controversy-plagued Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau will introduce a letter at Monday’s Village Board meeting (June 17, 2024) signed by him telling Village Manager George Koczwara that his contract cannot be renewed because it would be “unfair and inappropriate to allow an automatic extension” to…
Read More “Orland’s Pekau rejects contract renewal for Village Manager George Koczwara” »
What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park One of Chicagoland’s best Middle East Arabian restaurants offers a special exotic entertainment show every Wednesday, complementing their great food menu with the mesmerizing dance of Belly Dancer Tina every Wednesday from 7 PM until 9 PM. Enjoy a great show along…
Read More “What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park” »
Newly released novel by author Charlene Wexler explores Chicago’s South Shore in the 50s and 60s “Farewell to South Shore” by award winningauthor Charlene Wexler takes readers on a nostalgic trip through Chicago’s South Shore and beyond — A Perfect Summer Beach Read This summer, readers can transport themselves to mid-century Chicago, where Sherrie Paul…
Orland Park Police Department Announces “Click it or Ticket” Campaign The Orland Park Police Department is stepping up enforcement for the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign running now through Memorial Day weekend. “Click It or Ticket” leverages education and enforcement to save lives. Officers will be in marked and unmarked police cars enforcing…
Read More “Orland Park Police Department Announces “Click it or Ticket” Campaign” »
Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront By Ray Hanania Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau just can’t be honest. Last week, I revealed that the Village removed the sign for the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall from the front of the building. Fred Owens was a beloved mayor who helped…
Read More “Pekau hides Owens sign behind building but puts his own name upfront” »
Owens family questions removal of name from Village Administration Building The family of beloved and highly respected late former Orland Park Mayor Fred Owens has questioned why Mayor Keith Pekau has removed his name from the outdoor sign identifying the Village Administration Building, which was placed there in 1993 following his passing the year before….
Read More “Owens family questions removal of name from Village Administration Building” »
Tinley police charge Wheaton man with aggravated arson A Wheaton man on April 24 was charged with aggravated arson after he intentionally started a fire the week before at Menards, 6851 W. 159th St., Tinley Park. Police said Nathan Grant, 32, set fire to multiple air conditioning unit filters in the store just after 4…
Read More “Tinley police charge Wheaton man with aggravated arson” »
Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign In a pure act of pettiness, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau has removed the name of Frederick T. Owens from the signs in front of the Village Hall, for which the Village Hall has been named, without any public discussion or notice. In its place, Pekau…
Read More “Pekau removes Mayor Owens’ name from Village Hall sign” »
Drug investigation leads to multiple Felony charges in drug sales at Sandburg High school In the fall of 2023, the Orland Park Police Department received information that there was a subject on snapchat selling cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms and vape pens to Sandburg students. The Orland Park Police Tactical Response Unit opened up an investigation and…
Subject Arrested for Vehicular Hijacking in Orland Park The Orland Park Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect in a vehicular hijacking that occurred on the evening of April 3, 2024. Shawn Flores, a 44-year-old Midlothian resident, faces charges following his apprehension on April 4. The incident began when a male victim was forcibly…
Read More “Subject Arrested for Vehicular Hijacking in Orland Park” »
Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias By Ray Hanania (Originally published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group newpapers): True to his colors, Orland Park’s beleaguered Mayor Keith Pekau is turning to racism and community division to base his re-election campaign. In a recent letter to “supporters,” Pekau launched his campaign using the racist slogan,…
Read More “Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias” »