Mayor Pekau Imposes One of Highest Tax Rates in America

By Kathy Fenton

Mayor Pekau and his ever-obedient Board of Trustees have decided to transform Orland Park into a tax haven... for their own spending sprees and to accommodate their financial blunders, that is! They've imposed some of the highest sales tax rates in the nation, eclipsing the likes of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York City—all while claiming you should consider yourselves lucky. As of June 2023, thanks to the visionary leadership of Pekau and his trusty cohorts Kampas, Katsenas, Radaszewski, Milani, Riordan, and the ever-expressive Union critic William Healy, residents are now enjoying a delightful 10.25% sales tax rate. This puts Orland Park in an elite club—tied with Chicago for the highest sales tax in Illinois and ranking high among its peers nationwide.
But wait, there’s more! Pekau and his merry band of Trustees have unleashed a brand-new tax on natural gas and electricity. Just when you thought winter was all about cozying up with blankets and hot chocolate, you can now look forward to a hefty bill as you try to stay warm in your own home!
All these lovely tax increases seem to magically fund Pekau’s oh-so-beloved projects, like the Centennial West concert venue. This $13 million wonder is purportedly designed for your entertainment but somehow lacks basic amenities like permanent bathrooms, concessions, video screens, and decent sight lines. Each event hosted there has reportedly lost at least $100,000! So, brace yourselves, residents: you’ll be shelling out a cool additional $500,000 in 2024 alone to keep this “entertainment” running.
If all that weren’t enough, Orland Park has also joined the ranks of fiscal champions by neglecting to file certified financial audits for 2022 and 2023 as required by state law. Yes, Orland Park! The village of audit rebels! You’ve just earned a spot on the dubious honor roll alongside the infamous Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard. Bravo!
Thanks to these jaw-droppingly high sales taxes, every item you wish to purchase in the village now comes with an upcharge that makes shopping in neighboring communities sound downright affordable. And good luck convincing anyone from outside Orland Park that they should come spend their money here!
In a world where every household is on the hook for thousands of dollars annually due to Pekau’s whimsical tax hikes, it’s clear: your hard-earned money would be better spent on your family than enriching the dreams of local politicians. So, residents, enjoy your new financial reality—it’s bound to keep your spirits high... along with your bills!
Put an end to it in April. Vote them out and keep your hard earned money where it belongs, out of their grasp and back in your pocket.