Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Radio, Podcast, Books
  • News Wire
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father son image Leving
    Dad Won Justice After Being Blocked From His Sons’ Lives Dads' Rights
  • medicare for all graphic US Rep Jayapal
    Chicago Passes Medicare for All Resolution Chicago
  • HOT ROD DRAG WEEK 2026
     Celebrate 100 Years of Route 66 & America’s 250th! Entertainment
  • Feck Awards Courtesy of the Chaz Ebert
    Inaugural FECK Awards Honor Four Extraordinary Changemakers Championing Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness Culture
  • Founding families of Oak Lawn Public Library event March 2026
    OLPL to Open “Founding Families of Oak Lawn” Local History Exhibit News
  • 03-13-26 laundry room fire at Mario Tricoci Orland Park
    Orland Fire responds to laundry room fire at Mario Tricoci salon Business
  • Hastings advances measures to simplify subscription cancellations, & fights for stronger oversight of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loans to protect Illinois consumers Business
  • March 2026 Treasurer's Ad
    Paying your tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person Cook County
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Orland Park Sportsplex Annual Family Health Fair Returns March 14 Events
  • High school superintendent salaries and school reading proficiency levels. A chart put together by governor candidate Ted Dabrowski
    Ted Dabrowski cuts through the BS and takes on the biggest drain on property taxes Business
  • Jeffery Leving provided photo
    Dad Won Sole Custody, Saving His Baby from a Life of Danger Dads' Rights
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Chinese Telecommunications Company Fined $50 Million for Conspiring to Steal Technology from Motorola Solutions Crime
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings, 19th Senate District
    Hastings calls for regulation on online prediction markets skirting Illinois gambling laws Government
  • On Friday, March 6th, the Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch was held to celebrate women leaders throughout the 16th District. The event was hosted by Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar,
    Women Leaders Come Together for Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch Cook County
  • The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a home fire on the 9100 Block of Greencastle Lane on Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2026, hampered by numerous obstructions officials referred to as “possible hoarding.”
    Orland Firefighters extinguish townhome fire Saturday, resident slightly injured Fire

Tag: Keith Pekau

The Political Grapevine: COVID is the excuse for everything

Posted on December 1, 2021February 1, 2022 By Ray Hanania No Comments on The Political Grapevine: COVID is the excuse for everything
The Political Grapevine: COVID is the excuse for everything

The Political Grapevine: COVID is the excuse for everything Also a look at the brewing political battle in the 6th Congressional District where the strongest Republican candidate has not yet announced but will, plus perspectives on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and President Joe Biden. Plus, Kirk Dillard readying serious challenge against Pritzker By Ray Hanania COVID has…

Read More “The Political Grapevine: COVID is the excuse for everything” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, DuPage, elections, Federal, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

SEIU Illinois State Council endorses Marie Newman for Congress

Posted on November 23, 2021November 23, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on SEIU Illinois State Council endorses Marie Newman for Congress
SEIU Illinois State Council endorses Marie Newman for Congress

SEIU Illinois State Council endorses Marie Newman for Congress Days after rightwing extremist Keith Pekau announced he is running for the Republican nomination for Congress with the support of Tea Party fanatic Jeanne Ives, Congresswoman Marie Newman continued to rack up endorsements from the 6th District’s leading workers unions and municipal leaders. Newman faces Sean…

Read More “SEIU Illinois State Council endorses Marie Newman for Congress” »

  • Tweet
Cook County, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, women

Orland Park’s mayor plans to run for congress

Posted on November 17, 2021November 28, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Orland Park’s mayor plans to run for congress
Orland Park’s mayor plans to run for congress

Orland Park’s mayor plans to run for congress Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is planning to run for Congress in the newly re-mapped 6th District which is a Democratic stronghold that pits in next year’s elections two incumbent Democrats, Marie Newman from the old 3rd District, and Sean Casten from the old 6th District. Newman…

Read More “Orland Park’s mayor plans to run for congress” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, elections, Federal, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Park drops from “Safest City” list while Orland Hills rises

Posted on June 1, 2021June 9, 2021 By Ray Hanania
Orland Park drops from “Safest City” list while Orland Hills rises

Orland Park drops from “Safest City” list while Orland Hills rises Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau tried to distract voters from the community’s rising crime rate by citing a real estate website which asserted that Orland Park was one of the “safest cities” in Illinois. But a recent survey by Safewise, which is considered more…

Read More “Orland Park drops from “Safest City” list while Orland Hills rises” »

  • Tweet
Cook County, Crime, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Battle for Secretary of State already brewing in Illinois

Posted on April 17, 2021July 13, 2021 By Ray Hanania
Battle for Secretary of State already brewing in Illinois

Battle for Secretary of State already brewing in Illinois Alexi Giannoulias is the lead candidate in the brewing race to succeed Illinois Secretary of State Jessie White who is retiring. Although the Democratic Party Primary election is not until March 2022, time goes by quickly and the race will quickly become crowded. As the Republican…

Read More “Battle for Secretary of State already brewing in Illinois” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Pekau won re-election but lost campaign to build his own Machine

Posted on April 7, 2021July 13, 2021 By Ray Hanania
Pekau won re-election but lost campaign to build his own Machine

Opinion: Pekau won re-election but lost campaign to build his own Machine By Ray Hanania After a bruising political election, Orland Park’s Mayor Keith Pekau managed to defeat his challenger, former Mayor Dan Mclaughlin. I guess it pays to have a $150,000 a year salary and $600,000 in income over four years for a part-time…

Read More “Pekau won re-election but lost campaign to build his own Machine” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Gorman slams Pekau’s “fake Republicans” in video ads

Posted on April 2, 2021March 30, 2022 By Ray Hanania
Gorman slams Pekau’s “fake Republicans” in video ads

Opinion: Gorman slams Pekau’s “fake Republicans” in video ads Orland Township Republican Chairperson Liz Gorman released a powerful series of videos slamming Orland Mayor Keith Pekau for backing a slate of “fake” Republicans. Pekau has isolated every elected official to the disadvantage of the needs of Orland taxpayers, but hopes to pull the wool over…

Read More “Gorman slams Pekau’s “fake Republicans” in video ads” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

How do you not remember a DUI-drug court date?

Posted on March 20, 2021July 13, 2021 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on How do you not remember a DUI-drug court date?
How do you not remember a DUI-drug court date?

How do you not remember a DUI-drug court date? Just what the people of Orland Township need, right? An official whose only response to not showing up for a court appearance that prompts an active arrest warrant, is Lora Kreczmer a candidate for Orland Township Trustee, forgot. She only turned herself in because it became…

Read More “How do you not remember a DUI-drug court date?” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

McLaughlin responds to false claims from Pekau

Posted on February 16, 2021April 28, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on McLaughlin responds to false claims from Pekau
McLaughlin responds to false claims from Pekau

McLaughlin responds to false claims from Pekau Dan McLaughlin Calls Out His Opponent’s Continued Partisan Games, Pledges to Host Regular Office Hours to Talk to the Community. As Mayor Pekau continues to play partisan games and waste taxpayer time on discredited political attacks, candidate Dan McLaughlin reaffirms his commitment to get to work for Orland…

Read More “McLaughlin responds to false claims from Pekau” »

  • Tweet
elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park: McLaughlin slams Pekau’s political campaign lies

Posted on February 13, 2021February 13, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Orland Park: McLaughlin slams Pekau’s political campaign lies
Orland Park: McLaughlin slams Pekau’s political campaign lies

Orland Park: McLaughlin slams Pekau’s political campaign lies Three lies (and one just plain weird thing) Keith Pekau said during the Orland Park Chamber of Commerce Town Hall. At this point, we’re not sure if Keith Pekau even hears the lies he tells. During Wednesday’s Chamber of Commerce Town Hall (Feb. 10, 2021), Mayor Keith Pekau…

Read More “Orland Park: McLaughlin slams Pekau’s political campaign lies” »

  • Tweet
Cook County, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics

McLaughlin responds to public calls to open Police Center at Orland mall

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on McLaughlin responds to public calls to open Police Center at Orland mall
McLaughlin responds to public calls to open Police Center at Orland mall

McLaughlin responds to public calls to open Police Center at Orland mall Former Mayor Dan McLaughlin is proposing adding a satellite police station at the Orland Park Mall, the site of where many increased incidents of violence have taken place during the past few years. Although Mayor Pekau is playing down the violence, many residents…

Read More “McLaughlin responds to public calls to open Police Center at Orland mall” »

  • Tweet
Cook County, coronavirus, Crime, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Pekau uses Orland Village Board to put politics over people

Posted on January 23, 2021July 13, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pekau uses Orland Village Board to put politics over people
Pekau uses Orland Village Board to put politics over people

Pekau uses Orland Village Board to put politics over people Opinion columnist Ray Hanania examines the stark differences between Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and former Mayor Dan McLaughlin in this analysis. Pekau cares about politics. McLaughlin cares about people. No politician is perfect but Pekau is on the furthest extreme. Pekau has turned taxpayer-funded…

Read More “Pekau uses Orland Village Board to put politics over people” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

McLaughlin blasts Pekau for using board meetings to promote his political campaign

Posted on January 21, 2021January 21, 2021 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on McLaughlin blasts Pekau for using board meetings to promote his political campaign
McLaughlin blasts Pekau for using board meetings to promote his political campaign

McLaughlin blasts Pekau for using board meetings to promote his political campaign Former Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin accused Mayor Keith Pekau of using taxpayer-funded village board meetings and staff to unleash a series of vicious political accusations. McLaughlin said the Village board should be used to champion the rights of taxpayers not to fund…

Read More “McLaughlin blasts Pekau for using board meetings to promote his political campaign” »

  • Tweet
elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics

Largest spike in COVID-19 cases yet in Orland Park

Posted on October 6, 2020October 11, 2020 By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on Largest spike in COVID-19 cases yet in Orland Park
Largest spike in COVID-19 cases yet in Orland Park

Largest spike in COVID-19 cases yet in Orland Park The Village of Orland Park, whose mayor continues to seemingly scoff at the use of face masks while advocating more public events and festivals, has experienced its largest monthly increase in COVID-19 infections to date. The total number of infections as of Oct. 5 is 1,398,…

Read More “Largest spike in COVID-19 cases yet in Orland Park” »

  • Tweet
Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, National, News, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau

Posted on July 1, 2020April 28, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau
Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau

Opinion: Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau Everything you need to know about Orland Park’s extremist and controversial Mayor, Keith Pekau, who attacked me, yet again, in his political newsletter, making the false assertion of “factual inaccuracy” in my opinion columns. Of course, if anyone has a problem with facts and accuracy, it is…

Read More “Feeling sorry for failed Mayor Keith Pekau” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, News, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

Orland Park challenge to Pritzker restrictions stumbles

Posted on July 1, 2020July 5, 2021 By Ray Hanania 5 Comments on Orland Park challenge to Pritzker restrictions stumbles
Orland Park challenge to Pritzker restrictions stumbles

Opinion: Orland Park challenge to Pritzker restrictions stumbles Orland Park is stumbling because it is poorly led by an incompetent official who puts his personal interests above the interests of the public he was elected to represent. Mayor Keith Pekau’s fight against Gov. J.B. Pritzker isn’t about protecting the taxpayers, but rather about stirring up a political base he…

Read More “Orland Park challenge to Pritzker restrictions stumbles” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania

2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government

Posted on June 27, 2020June 27, 2020 By Ray Hanania 3 Comments on 2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government
2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government

Opinion: 2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government Two days after revealing the first case of coronavirus to infect an employee in the beleaguered administration of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, a second confirmed Coronavirus case has been confirmed in the Village’s Recreation Department. The two cases are a political embarrassment for Pekau who is vacationing during…

Read More “2nd Coronavirus case slams Orland Park Village government” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park

Posted on May 19, 2020July 13, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park
Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park

Opinion: Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is a nasty bully who can’t take any criticism but has one quality: he can turn friends into enemies faster than any politician I have met in 45 years. Monday (May 18, 2020), Pekau threatened to take Pritzker to court after bashing…

Read More “Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park” »

  • Tweet
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Posts pagination

Previous 1 … 3 4 5 6 Next

Links to the Latest News by other media that is worth reading with attribution
  • NEWS
  • Father son image Leving
    Dad Won Justice After Being Blocked From His Sons’ Lives
    March 18, 2026
  • medicare for all graphic US Rep Jayapal
    Chicago Passes Medicare for All Resolution
    March 18, 2026
  • HOT ROD DRAG WEEK 2026
     Celebrate 100 Years of Route 66 & America’s 250th!
    March 18, 2026
  • Feck Awards Courtesy of the Chaz Ebert
    Inaugural FECK Awards Honor Four Extraordinary Changemakers Championing Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness
    March 18, 2026
  • Founding families of Oak Lawn Public Library event March 2026
    OLPL to Open “Founding Families of Oak Lawn” Local History Exhibit
    March 18, 2026

Courageous Thought Syndicate Columns

Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

Restaurant Reviews

Photo: Sullivan's Steakhouse Lobster Tempura
Restaurant Reviews
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas website
    Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes
    January 2, 2026
  • Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts
    December 26, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Financial planning tool offers free online help to budget late tax payments
    December 11, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source. Some photos published with permission from Zemanta and Wikipedia.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme