Burr Ridge Mayor's Rival Gets Major Endorsement

BURR RIDGE, IL — Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is apparently trying to take the most conservative lane in the Republican primary for the 6th Congressional District. His opponent is Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso.

On Tuesday, Pekau touted an endorsement from former state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton, who nearly defeated Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in the 2018 Republican governor's primary. She ran on Rauner's right flank as a social and economic conservative.

In her endorsement, Ives ignored the fact that Pekau has an opponent in the June primary. She said the differences between Pekau and the Democratic candidates, incumbent Rep. Sean Casten and the 3rd District's Marie Newman, could not be clearer.

"You might as well be represented by Nancy Pelosi if you choose to be represented by left-wing extremists like Sean Casten or Marie Newman," Ives said a statement. "(Pekau) is the best mayor in Illinois and during the pandemic acted responsibly, but with a light touch, letting businesses and people interact as they wish."

Pekau also noted Republican state Rep. Tim Ozinga and his GOP predecessor, Margo McDermed, both endorsed his candidacy. They are from the 37th House District, which includes Orland Park.

Earlier this month, Chicago radio show host Dan Proft, a conservative, interviewed Pekau. Proft discussed Pekau's Democratic opposition, but did not mention Grasso.

Proft is outspoken against pandemic-related mandates. Late last week, Pekau posted a video on Orland Park's YouTube page touting statistics that he said showed the benefits of being both vaccinated and having natural immunity. He has likened Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker to a dictator, a comparison that Grasso has been unwilling to make.

Pekau has declined to enforce the governor's executive order for masks in public indoor spaces at Orland Park Village Hall. Most officials attending Village Board sessions go maskless, except one official who sits next to Pekau. In Burr Ridge, officials wear masks at Village Hall.

The two candidates also have different answers on whether Joe Biden is the rightfully elected president.

Grasso declined to comment on the endorsements of Pekau.