Election 2025: Orland Fire District Board Candidate Donald 'DJ' Jeffers

ORLAND PARK, IL — The consolidated election is set for April 1, and some new faces could be joining the Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees.

Two, six-year terms are up for grabs, as well as one unexpired two-year. Six are vying for the former, and three for the latter.

Running for the six-year seats are incumbent Beth Damas Kaspar, incumbent Commissioner Donald "DJ" Jeffers, and Bridget Tolan on the Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety Slate.

Also running on slate Together, Protecting & Supporting Orland Fire are Danielle Dorsey, Christian Barcelona, and Jennifer May.

A third slate also has two candidates—Mark Mitchell and Paris Stirrat—running for the six-year seats, and candidate Steven Troglio running for the two-year one.

Both Tolan and May are seeking the unexpired seat, as well as Troglio.

Patch issued candidate questionnaires, and answers are now published in candidate profiles.

Early voting began March 17.

Candidate:

Donald "DJ" Jeffers

Campaign website:

Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety

Office sought:

Fire Protection District Board

Town/City of Residence:

Orland Park

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

Non-partisan

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

None.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Business Owner-30 years of experience in the automotive industry--currently own car wash' and auto detailing business.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Appointed Commissioner of Orland Fire District in 2023

The most pressing issues facing our board are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.*

The merger and consolidation of the OFPD with Tinley Park and potentially other surrounding municipalities is a major issue and concerned, despite the repeated denials of several mayors and the township supervisor.

Of even more concern is the attempted takeover by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, and Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. Each has slated candidates to represent their interests. O’Grady’s slate is backed by some leaders of the Fire Union and I believe that the Union should not control the board.

We have the best Fire District in Illinois with one of the highest Save Rates in the country. I am against any merger or consolidation that would decrease our Save Rate and be to the detriment of Orland Park and Orland Hills taxpayers. Tinley Park has part-time firefighters and rents its ambulances. They are in need of major improvements, but those improvements should not be paid by Orland Park and Orland Hills taxpayers. Based on the current merger and consolidation plans that I have seen, I absolutely would vote NO MERGER NO TAKE OVER to protect our Cardiac Arrest Save Rate to protect Orland Park and Orland Hills taxpayers.

Our slate supports our firefighters and their needs. And we will continue to ensure that the Fire District will provide the best possible services to the taxpayers. But, allowing a slate controlled by a union to take over would compromise the professional relationship in collective bargaining that separates the Fire District from the Union during negotiations. If a union controls the Fire District the taxpayers’ interests will be compromised.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

There are two other slates running for the Fire District, but only my slate – Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety, Beth Damas Kaspar and Bridget Eileen Tolan and myself are openly against the potential merger and consolidation of the OFPD and Tinley Park. We are also the only ones opposed to a takeover of the board by Orland Park’s mayor, who has fielded a slate, and the Fire Union, which has fielded a slate.

The other two slates are being led by people who would benefit from consolidation, and none of those candidates have come out against consolidation. Initially they said consolidation was a myth, and when evidence came out that the leadership of the OFPD was trying to buy land for new firehouses for a consolidated fire district, then these slates suddenly changed their message to, “Consolidation might be happening, but it wasn’t our idea.” I don’t care who came up with consolidation, what I am here to tell you is that I am against consolidation and I will fight it every day on the job

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I am running for an open seat on the board. Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar has fought the past two years to stop consolidation. Board president John Brudnak and Trustee Jayne Schirmacher, who are not running for re-election, also have fought against take over and consolidation. If elected to the Board, the taxpayers have my promise that I will fight against consolidation and will fight hard to protect our high Save Rate.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Our slate is fighting for the taxpayers of Orland Park and Orland Hills and to find the right balance between our outstanding Fire Protection services and the costs and expenses for those services. We have the highest Save Rate in Illinois, and we want to protect that. We have one of the best Fire Districts in the country, and we want to protect that as well. But we also want to make the right fiscally responsible choices to protect the taxpayers whom we represent.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I currently serve as a Commissioner on the Orland Fire Protection District, since 2023. My responsibility has been to help identify and hire the best qualified individuals to hire as firefighters.

Why should voters trust you?

Our slate, Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety, is the only independent slate with their hats in the ring. We are not backed by any other political group that aims to cloud our judgement, and our focus is on transparency with our constituents.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Our election would prevent a takeover of the Fire District by the mayor of Orland Park and by the Township supervisor who has fielded a slate along with the Fire union. Our election will prevent a takeover by these political entities. If elected, ensuring the merger would be the greatest success I could hope to gain in my tenure especially to my neighbors in Orland.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Providing our first responders with the proper tools to do their job is a key concern with the seat I am running for. There is a reason our Fire District is ranked so highly in Illinois - it is in large part to do with our outstanding firemen and women. Providing these professionals, whom we are all so grateful for, with the proper training and equipment is so vital to the safety of our community. Merging with outside fire departments, buying land for new firehouses, etc. does not align with our financial goals for Orland Fire District.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want to stress that our slate supports our firefighters and their needs. And we will continue to ensure that the Fire District will provide the best possible services to the taxpayers. But, allowing a slate controlled by a union to take over would compromise the professional relationship in collective bargaining that separates the Fire District from the Union during negotiations. If a union controls the Fire District the taxpayers’ interests will be compromised.