After Bitter Election, Orland Trustee Candidates Vow Cooperation

ORLAND PARK, IL — In a trustee race soured by cynical campaigning, both Orland Park parties are playing nice now that the votes are in.

"On behalf of the Orland Integrity Party, we congratulate People over Politics candidates Bill Healy, Mike Milani and Cindy Katsenes for being elected as Orland Park Trustees," candidate Kelly O'Brien said in a statement.

"During the campaign we all got to know one another and we enjoyed the time spent together especially during early voting. We all want Orland Park to be a safe and vibrant Village and pledge to support the new Trustees in their efforts. We thank the thousands of voters that did vote for us and we are humbled by the many endorsements and support we received during the campaign."

The two parties ran expensive races, much of which was fueled by negative and inaccurate messaging from People Over Politics — which is backed by Mayor Keith Pekau — and its supporters. Campaign finance reports for the period ending April 1 show that his party raised $49,250 for the race. Much of that money came from candidates Healy and Milani through a mix of donations and loans. Orland Integrity Party, founded by incumbent Carole Griffin Ruzich, brought in $58,000 fueled in part by union donations. O'Brien and Devin Hodge also ran on her slate.

Although People Over Politics took the three open seats, the win was not a mandate from voters for change. With only 17 percent of registered voters turning out to the polls, those seats were won by thin margins. As of Thursday, Cook County's unofficial results showed that only 400 votes separated third-place winner Katsenes from Ruzich, who came in fourth. Vote tallies are likely to change as Cook County continues to canvass votes. The deadline for final results is April 23.

Representatives from both parties said that all six candidates had intended to run on their merits and to put forward a positive campaign. Those from People Over Politics were caught off guard by some of the calls and mailers that went out on their behalf, several people close to the campaign said.

Whatever the case, the slate members said they are ready to move forward with a message to voters:

“The People Over Politics slate wish to thank the voters of Orland Park for believing in us and supporting our campaign. We look forward to working together to ensure that Orland Park remains a great place to live, work, and play,” they said in the statement.