Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Orland Park Statement on Settlement of William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al., Lawsuit Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al. The Village of Orland Park has reached a settlement agreement with William Sanchez to fully…
Village of Orland Park Announces New Utility Billing System The Village of Orland Park is introducing a new utility billing system designed to enhance the customer experience and improve day-to-day operations. The new system will provide customers with more flexibility in managing their utility account and streamline the overall payment process. As part of this…
Read More “Village of Orland Park Announces New Utility Billing System” »
Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week The Village of Orland Park is celebrating Thanksgiving with a week full of turkey-themed activities, including the Kids’ Turkey Trot and Diaper Dash, Turkey Shoot Free-Throw Contest and the 37th Annual Turkey Trot. “Thanksgiving week in Orland Park is all about community, family, and tradition,” said Mayor Jim…
Read More “Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week” »
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…
Read More “Village of Orland Park Receives Clean Audit Opinion for Fiscal Year 2024” »
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….
Read More “Village of Orland Park Launches Inaugural Citizens Academy” »
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…
Read More “Orland Park Mayor Dodge explores options to save Secretary of State services” »
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…
Read More “Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt” »
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…
Read More “Village of Orland Park to Host Annual Veterans Golf Classic” »
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…
Read More “Orland Fire participates in Village Touch a Truck event June 12” »
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…
Read More “Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager” »
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…
Read More “Pekau Allies Removed from Electoral Board by Cook County Judge” »
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…
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…
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…
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…
Read More “Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 8” »
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…
Read More “Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is “off the rails on a crazy train”” »
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…
Read More “Pekau’s attacks: A personal letter from Columnist Ray Hanania” »
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…
Read More “This St. Patrick’s Day, Plan Before You Party!” »