Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Orland Park Commission to salute Veterans The Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission has three important dates for the community to remember — October 6, November 5 and November 10. Friday, October 6 is the last day to add a veteran’s name to the village’s memorial in time for this year’s Veterans Day observances. Veterans…
Village of Orland Park Vets Collect for Current Military The Village of Orland Park Veterans’ Commission will collect items for current military on Saturday, July 22. The care package collection will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orland Park Veterans Center, 15045 West Avenue. “We’re happy to be able to collect…
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Liberty Run, Music, Swimming & Fireworks highlight Orland Park July 4th Festivities The Village of Orland Park will host a number of events to celebrate America’s birthday. “Orland Park coming together as a community to celebrate America’s birthday is a longstanding part of the village’s history,” said Mayor Keith Pekau. “Those of us who grew…
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New Middle East restaurant in Orland Park Orland Park has added one more quality Middle East restaurant to its growing stable of great restaurants, Qasr al-Deyafah on 159th Street. The Mediterranean cuisine is among the region’s best. It’s the perfect place for Americans to experience the best Middle East foods By Ray Hanania I’m constantly on…
Pekau sworn in as new mayor of Orland Park Photo array by photographer Steve Neuhaus Keith Pekau was sworn in as Orland Park’s new mayor at ceremonies held at the Orland Park Village Hall on Monday night, May 15, 2017. Pekau won a decisive election over 24-year incumbent Mayor Dan McLaughlin, who was criticized for…
Orland Police showcase safety initiatives Two Safety Initiatives Highlight Orland Park Police Department May Calendar The Orland Park Police Department is observing two public safety initiatives during the month of May. “Cop On A Bus” has patrol officers riding school buses to watch for vehicles passing school buses when the stop arms are out and…
OYA/Warriors Tournament raises $1,000 for Veterans OYA Inaugural Weekend Warriors’ 10U Rumble Tournament. Presented by DEKAYO Mechanical to support Wounded Warriors, Veterans. Closing Ceremony held Sunday May 7, 1:30 pm, Field 1 near the Orland Pool Orland Park-The Orland Youth Association (OYA) and the Orland Park Warriors’ hosted its Inaugural Weekend Warriors’ 10U Rumble Tournament from May 3rd…
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Analysis: Why Pekau won and McLaughlin lost A poorly run re-election campaign by seven-term incumbent Mayor Dan McLaughlin combined with a hot-topic issue of salary and pension hikes, and a laser-focused issues campaign of a non-political challenger, Keith Pekau, running on the Republican Party banner did what no one thought could happen April 4 in Orland Park….
Muslims lose in backlash in Suburban Chicago elections Two Muslim candidates who had strong political backing lost their bids for election on Tuesday in Suburban Chicago contests. Dave Shalabi, who was appointed to a position on a local school board two years ago, lost his bid to remain on the influential school board. Bahira Karim fails in…
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Pekau defeats McLaughlin in Orland Park mayoral race Republican challenger Keith Pekau easily unseated 23 year incumbent Dan McLaughlin as Mayor of Orland Park in a contest that focused on the mayor’s bid to boost his salary by more than 375 percent and to spike his pension from $30,000 a year to $110,000. By Ray Hanania…
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Pekau says he won’t take pension benefit The high profile battle for the office of mayor of Orland Park in southwest suburban Chicago is fueled by the board’s decision to give the 23 year incumbent Mayor Dan McLaughlin a massive salary boost and huge pension after only one term in office. The salary and pension spike has…
Orland Mayoral race has state’s attention The battle between Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin and challenger Keith Pekau has the attention of the entire state apparently creating a wild election contest filled with a lot of unusual issues, supporters and claims By Ray Hanania The battle to lead Orland Park, one of the fastest growing suburbs…
Fires Damage two homes in Orland Park Fires hit two homes in Orland Park over the Christmas Holidays, one on Christmas Day related to a fireplace and a second one the following day linked to a Christmas tree Orland Fire Prevent District officials reported. Here are the two reports: Fireplace fire in Orland Park home…
Orland Park sidesteps the will of the people The Orland Park Board approved a plan to significantly increase Mayor McLaughlin’s salary 375 percent from what it was (a 275 percent increase). But the board action ignores the rights of the village’s taxpayers and voters. Oct. 20, 2016 Des Plaines Valley News, The Regional, The Reporter…
How can movie reviewers all be so wrong? Tom Cruise knocks it out of the ball park in his latest movie “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.” Cruise costars with Cobie Smulders of TV’s “How I Met Your Mother.” And even better, the Marcus Theaters in Orland Park isn’t even finished with its renovation and it is…
Orland Park approves 375% increase in mayoral salary Nearly 100 residents crowded the Orland Park village hall to complain that the pay hike should be presented to the voters for approval and not the board members, who voted unanimously to hike the salary following two hours of public discussion and debate. By Ray Hanania (Note: You…
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