Orland Park's State Of The Village Address Recap

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau gave the State of the Village address on Tuesday. Hosted by the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce at the Civic Center on Ravinia Avenue, the mayor used the speech to present information regarding village finances, public safety, economic development and more.

Here is a short break-down of what the mayor presented:

Public Safety

Pekau began the presentation talking about public safety in the village. According to the mayor, index crime within the past 26 years is at its lowest. In the last four years, a decrease in overall crime has been a steady trend.

The mayor showed charts indicating that since January 2019, Orland Park Police have charged 46 people with crimes related to the unlawful use of a weapon. The mayor points to Cook County as the reason for the numbers, saying the county runs a "catch and release" program.

"When you see that crime is low, this speaks to what a great job we're doing, when [Cook County is] just letting all these criminals walk the streets," Pekau said. The mayor later added that Orland Police are doing a great job because they "clear crime like nobody's business."

Related: Orland Park's Overall Crime Rate Decreases By 29% In 2020: Chief | Orland Park, IL Patch

"The proof is in the pudding. Last year we were named the safest city in Illinois," Pekau said. "We were basically number one in the whole state. So, that's a testimony to what a great job our police department does in spite of everything around us with Cook County."

Pekau added, "I couldn't be prouder to be their mayor."

Pekau also addressed Orland Square Mall, saying the village has a solid relationship with Simon Properties, the mall's owner. The mayor said Simon has never implemented a Youth Supervision Policy at any of its locations in the world. In March, Orland Square implemented the policy, becoming Simon's very first location to do so. Chief Joe Mitchell said since the establishment of the policy, and during the hours the policy is in effect, there have been zero retail thefts, and no code of conduct issues.

"We have 24/7 access to their security office, which essentially gives us another remote office, not that we need one we're about a mile away," Pekau said. "Orland Square is the safest mall in the region."

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Finances, Roads and Developments

Orland Park will see a number of renovations to infrastructure in town in the year ahead. According to the presentation, in 2020 and 2021 combined, the village will renovate 16 parks, add 39 basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.

The mayor said that since 2019 the village has increased investments in roads and advanced the village's road program an additional four years. Pekau said one of the main projects the village would like to complete is the development of 143rd street into four lanes, down to Will-Cook Road.

"It's our number one project," Pekau said. "It was the number one project for the Southwest Conference of Mayors, [and now] Will County is also supporting it."

Pekau said COVID-19 has made an impact on the village, but that the village was prepared to take action, due to previous steps taken by the village over the years. Pekau said when the shut-down occurred in Illinois, that the village was ready.

"Everything we did prior to COVID has helped us get through COVID without panic," Pekau said. "The people of Orland Park needed us to do that ... [and] we were able to do that because of the fiscal position we put ourselves in."

Major projects coming to town/ have recently popped into town include new businesses, like Stan's Donuts, REI, Pete's Market and more. The mayor referenced the Triangle, and its nine acres of undeveloped land. Pekau said Edwards Realty, the group chosen to redevelop the area, has the interests of Orland Park residents in mind.

"They understand what the people of Orland Park want in that area, they also understand the business of what works, and they live here, so they want to see it work," Pekau said. "This site needs to benefit all of Orland Park, not just 296 new apartment dwellers that are there — it needs to benefit everybody."

Pekau said he is very excited and is hoping to see ground break within the next year at the Triangle.

Watch the State of the Village Address below:

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Youth Supervision Policy Starts Next Month At Orland Square Mall | Orland Park, IL Patch

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Stan's Donuts & Coffee To Open Saturday In Orland Park | Orland Park, IL Patch

Pete's Fresh Market Is Coming To Orland, Taking Art Van's Spot | Orland Park, IL Patch

This Orland Park Intersection Had The Most Crashes In 2020 | Orland Park, IL Patch

Orland Park's Overall Crime Rate Decreases By 29% In 2020: Chief | Orland Park, IL Patch