Mayor-Elect Jim Dodge Addresses More Wasteful Spending by VOP Board

Orland Park, IL - (April 19, 2025) - Ahead of his May 5 swearing in ceremony, Mayor-elect Jim Dodge is calling for a careful review of proposed expenditures scheduled to be pushed forward at the next village board meeting. The proposed questionable expenditure, on the agenda for outgoing Mayor Keith Pekau’s final board meeting, comes at the cost of another $1 million tied to the Centennial Park West concert venue. With a commitment to fiscal responsibility and community engagement, Dodge emphasizes the urgent need to reconsider the direction of spending before additional taxpayer dollars are allocated.

The proposed expenditure comes amidst ongoing concerns surrounding past financial decisions made during the Pekau administration’s control, particularly those involving the operations and maintenance of the newly developed venue. "This is wasteful, last-minute spending. We need to evaluate options for the future of the venue prior to even considering any additional spending on an already superfluous project,” Dodge stated. “We are not going to spend more taxpayer dollars on this until we figure out its future. We will engage the community in this decision-making process.”

Dodge’s administration aims to prioritize transparency and responsible use of taxpayer dollars as he prepares to take office. He has expressed skepticism regarding the recent administrative decisions made under outgoing Mayor Keith Pekau, particularly the need for video screens that seem to have arisen from issues with the venue itself. “I am sure we can provide a better use of $1 million taxpayer dollars," said the Mayor-elect. “We have concerns about a number of issues related to this facility, a thorough review of the venue must be conducted before any further funds are allocated,” he added.

As part of this review process, Dodge plans to work closely with community members and
stakeholders to gather input on how to best utilize the space and resources available. “It is crucial to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money, especially when we are facing additional debt left by the previous administration. If needed, we will act swiftly to exit this contract as soon as we are sworn in,” Dodge assured constituents.

Residents are encouraged to express their concerns regarding this flagrant spending of the
community’s funds by calling village hall at (708)403-6100 and/or attending the April 21, 2025 board meeting at Village Hall, located at 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue.

About Mayor-Elect Jim Dodge
Jim Dodge is committed to bringing fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community engagement to the Orland Park government. As a seasoned leader, he aims to create a future where citizen voices are heard and respected, ensuring the responsible management of taxpayer funds.

For more information about Mayor-elect Jim Dodge or to request an interview, please email
info@orlandparkforall.com.