Pekau is to blame for fiscal mess, not Mendoza

Last month Mayor Pekau denied funds were frozen in September by Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza due to his administration's failure to file audits for 2022 and 2023. He claimed any reference to it was "a political witch hunt".

On November 18th, Mayor Pekau rammed through a resolution calling on Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza to release the state funds he previously denied she froze in September due to Mayor Pekau and the Board of Trustees’ failure to file audits for 2022 or 2023, a violation of state law.

Jim Dodge observed, “Mayor Pekau never takes responsibility for his actions, his failures are always someone else’s fault. Mayor Pekau’s fiscal incompetence is costing every Orland Park resident. A system change? That’s a project management problem. Staffing issues? That’s a leadership and toxic work environment problem. The sources of these issues are obvious.”

“Late and audits never happened when I was a Trustee. In fact, I think this is the first time in Orland Park’s entire history we’ve been fined by the state for not filing financial audits. If Pekau and his trustees had simply done things properly and on time, state law would not have compelled the Comptroller to withhold funds. “

Dodge and his slate, Clerk candidate Mary Ryan Norwell, trustee candidates Dina M. Lawrence, John Lawler, and Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad are committed to complying with Illinois law and making sure this never happens again. “It’s better for Orland Park if Pekau stops these unwarranted political attacks and recognizes the real problem.”

Orland Park for All

Jim Dodge, Candidate for Mayor

Mary Ryan Norwell, Candidate for Clerk

Dina M. Lawrence, Candidate for Trustee

John Lawler, Candidate for Trustee

Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad, Candidate for Trustee