Tag: village of Orland Park

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

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 Park Mayor Dodge explores options to save Secretary of State services

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Mayor Dodge explores options to save Secretary of State services Village of Orland Park Addresses Orland Township’s Decision to Remove DMV Facility. Village issues letter on status of critical Secretary of States services Dear Orland Park Residents, Thank you for sharing your concerns about the recent cancelation of the lease for the DMV…

News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Orland Township

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…

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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

Orland Fire participates in Village Touch a Truck event June 12

June 9, 2025June 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire participates in Village Touch a Truck event June 12 The Orland Fire Protection District will participate with the Village of Orland Park for their “Food Trucks & Touch a Truck” night to be held on Thursday, July 12, 2025. Children and families will be able to enjoy food at the event and also…

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

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

Pekau Allies Removed from Electoral Board by Cook County Judge

December 7, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

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…

Civil Rights, Cook County, Crime, elections, Festival, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Illinois Attorney General slams Orland Park for withholding critical information on unfiled annual audits

December 4, 2024April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

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…

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Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits

August 29, 2024August 31, 2024 Ray Hanania 4 Comments

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…

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Orland Park Village Board Bans Kratom, Tianeptine, Delta 8 THC and other Novel Synthetic and Psychoactive Drugs

April 21, 2024April 21, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland Park Village Board Bans Kratom, Tianeptine, Delta 8 THC and other Novel Synthetic and Psychoactive Drugs Citing concerns about herbal substances that can produce opioid-and-stimulant-like effects, the Orland Park Village Board voted to unanimously ban kratom, tianeptine, and other novel synthetic and psychoactive drugs. This ban is in addition to a ban on synthetic…

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

Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 8

March 11, 2024March 11, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 8 Spring is almost here and with it comes the Village of Orland Park’s yearly Curbside Spring Clean-Up. This year’s collection will again be offered on residents’ regular garbage pick-up days during the week of April 8-12, 2024. Orland Park’s Curbside Spring Clean-Up is held in…

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is “off the rails on a crazy train”

June 2, 2023April 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is “off the rails on a crazy train” Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau went on a name calling rant filled with lies and falsehoods, attacking critics who have demanded that he be accountable in his 2023 State of the Village Speech. It was hosted by the Orland Park Chamber of…

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Pekau’s attacks: A personal letter from Columnist Ray Hanania

April 4, 2023April 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pekau’s attacks: A personal letter from Columnist Ray Hanania By Ray Hanania I have covered Chicagoland politics since 1975, when I was honorably discharged from active duty service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. I served 12 years in the Illinois Air National Guard and believed strongly in military service. I followed…

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This St. Patrick’s Day, Plan Before You Party!

March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

This St. Patrick’s Day, Plan Before You Party! Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America date back to the country’s founding. All too often, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations turn deadly due to impaired driving. However you celebrate, make to stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day by remembering one important…

Entertainment, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Partners with Federal Agency to Address Illegal Firearms

September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Partners with Federal Agency to Address Illegal Firearms In an effort to combat increasing number of guns recovered within Orland Park, the Orland Park Police Department has entered into a partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In 2021, the Orland Park Police recovered 61 illegally-possessed guns, leading to…

Crime, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Slight slowdown in COVID-19 cases in Orland Park

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Slight slowdown in COVID-19 cases in Orland Park Coronavirus COVID-19 continues its threatening levels in Orland Park, which has become the symbol of the anti-face mask movement because of the failed leadership of the Village’s administration. These statistics reflect all of the cases in Orland Park, as opposed to the partial and incomplete statistics that…

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Orland Park Village lacks experience to manage COVID-19 vaccine distribution

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Orland Park Village lacks experience to manage COVID-19 vaccine distribution Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau claims he is readying to distribute the COVID-19 vaccinations but with no real experience in health care services, the Village is not the best qualified source to manage this important need. That responsibility should go to Orland Township Supervisor…

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