Dan McLaughlin Announces Run For Mayor Against Keith Pekau

ORLAND PARK, IL — It's déjà vu all over again. Former Mayor of Orland Park Dan McLaughlin officially announced on Wednesday morning that he will run against incumbent Mayor Keith Pekau in the April 2021 election.

"Orland Park, I'm back. Let's get to work," McLaughlin said in a video announcing his candidacy.

Orland Park voters will be weighing in on a rematch of the 2017 mayoral election, where Pekau, a first-time candidate, won over the position against McLaughlin, who held the title for 24 years. According to a news release from McLaughlin's campaign, the former mayor intends to continue his commitment to serving working families in Orland Park.

The release states McLaughlin's priorities will include "prioritizing the safety, health and security of Orland Park citizens, increasing government transparency and balancing the budget to end Pekau’s deficits and make local government work for local families and small businesses, not against them."

In a statement, McLaughlin said voters have an opportunity to rise out of the pandemic stronger, but to do so, Orland Park needs someone who can "build strong, bipartisan coalitions." The former mayor said the town needs to "end the corruption that’s wasting your tax dollars and hurting the citizens of Orland Park."

"I look forward to renewing my commitment to Orland Park families, rebuilding our community, and reversing the damage caused by this pandemic and the divisive politics currently running rampant at Village Hall," McLaughlin said. “Together, we can finally develop the Main Street Triangle, an area that’s been ignored by our current Mayor for the last three years. We can attract new businesses to the I-80 Corridor and balance the economic engines of retail with a diverse set of sectors that will make Orland Park one of the most desirable places to live.

McLaughlin added, "Through green infrastructure programs and initiatives like the Open Lands Program, we can protect and expand our public parks, paths, walkways, and all the green space we love while also preserving our beautiful village for generations to come."

The mayoral candidate said if elected, "We can boost small businesses by developing a local incubation site in partnership with federal, state, and suburban partners to diversify our economy and strengthen our workforce."

McLaughlin's campaign states that as mayor, McLaughlin took part in transforming Orland Park from a "small suburban community" to one of the "largest and most vibrant villages in Illinois." The release states his record of public service "proves he is the right candidate to meet the unique challenges Orland Park faces."

The candidate is running as a member of the "One Orland" party this upcoming election. In 2017, Pekau received 54 percent of the vote, while McLaughlin received 45 percent, according to the Cook County Clerk's website.

In March 2019, village trustees voted to make the mayoral position part-time, along with adding a pay cut. According to the village website, as mayor, the salary is $150,000, along with a $3,000 liquor commissioner pay. In April, whoever is elected will begin to receive $40,000, along with the $3,000 commissioner pay. This will begin to take effect after April’s election.

In a Dec. 9 news release from Pekau's campaign, the current mayor announced McLaughlin's intentions to run against him for the title.

"The people of Orland Park deserve to have a choice in candidates for all elected positions and in that vein, I welcome Dan McLaughlin to the mayoral race," Pekau said. "First and foremost, I am not a career politician and am serving in my first term ever in elective office. On the other hand, Mr. McLaughlin has held public office for 28 years and also ran unsuccessfully for Illinois State Treasurer."

Pekau referenced McLaughlin spending over two decades as mayor. The mayor said he fulfilled his campaign promise, by having Orland voters decided in the 2020 general election if term limits for village clerk, trustee and mayor are necessary. The results were 88 percent of voters approving term limits, and 11 percent against it.

"I look forward to debating my politician opponent on many issues, beginning with fiscal responsibility. During his time as mayor, Mr. McLaughlin raised his pay by 275 percent and increased his taxpayer-funded pension by $2.1 million, while our village’s debt exploded from $12 million in 1998 to $111 million in 2016," Pekau said. "During my brief time as mayor, we’ve returned the mayor's salary back to what it was before the McLaughlin pay hike and prohibited all elected officials in the Village of Orland Park from receiving a pension."

Pekau went on to list accomplishments the village achieved under his first term, such as the economic developments of Von Maur, Pete’s Fresh Market, Duluth Trading Company, Stan’s Donuts and more.

"...These businesses create good-paying jobs, grow revenue for the village in place of increased taxes and fees, and provide opportunities for our families looking for activities right here in our vibrant community," Pekau said.

The current mayor addressed infrastructure improvements and the Triangle Project in his statement.

"... Under Mr. McLaughlin’s watch, only one park was refurbished every two years, upkeep on our major parks was neglected, and our roads were allowed to deteriorate to a point where 40% of them were in poor condition," Pekau said. "Over the last two years, we increased our road resurfacing from just 9 of our 249 road regions to 32, made major improvements to 7 neighborhood parks & the John Humphrey Complex, resurfaced 8 tennis and 10 basketball courts, and installed 7 pavilions."

Pekau is running with the "People Over Politics" banner, founded in 2019 by current Trustees Healy, Katsenes and Milani. The mayor is also endorsing Orland residents Sean Kampas, Joni Radaszewski and Brian Riordan for Village Trustees, and Constantine “Gus” Lekas running for Village Clerk in April.

Trustees Dan Calandriello and Jim Dodge announced they will not be seeking reelection in April. The mayor said he looks forward to "a fact-based, issues-oriented campaign that puts people over politics."

"The people of Orland Park have a clear choice. Do we go back to the failures and political games of the past or do we continue to work cooperatively to move Orland Park forward," Pekau said. "Do we go back to career politicians and their allies getting rich off our tax dollars or do we focus on doing the right thing for our residents and small businesses?"

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Orland Park Patch newsletters and real-time email alerts.