Pekau "Pay to Play" Fundraising Filling Campaign Coffers

By Kathy Fenton

Mayor Pekau, who frequently claims to be a conservative, continues to govern like a Chicago Machine politician. Pekau has employed the long held Chicago tradition of "Pay to Play", raising political funds and personal "consulting" contracts from village vendors and license holders Pekau solely regulates as Orland Park's liquor and gaming commissioners.

Horton Insurance, the village's insurance broker, is not only one of Pekau's largest donors, but also has Mayor Pekau on the payroll as a "consultant." What consulting Mayor Pekau, a landscaper by trade can offer an insurance company, we will leave to the reader's imagination. Additionally, Orland Park Trustee Joni Radazewski, who is in a domestic relationship with Horton Senior VP, Paul Shaheen, also voted to give Horton the village's lucrative insurance contract. Never has Radazewski disclosed her ethical conflict.

A partial list of village vendors and license holders donating to Pekau can be seen here: