Tag: village of Orland Park

Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information

December 17, 2025December 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information On December 12, 2025, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland denied former Mayor Keith Pekau’s motion to dismiss, allowing the Village’s lawsuit to proceed. The court determined that the Village’s allegations regarding the improper retention and use of…

Crime, Law, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Statement on Settlement of William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al., Lawsuit

December 5, 2025December 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Politics

Village of Orland Park Announces New Utility Billing System

November 30, 2025November 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

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

Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week

November 5, 2025November 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

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…

Events, Features, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

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…

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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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