Election 2025: Orland Park Village Trustee Candidate Brian Riordan

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park residents in the thick of a contentious local election season are likely about ready to see it end. With the consolidated election set for April 1, early voting began March 17, and residents can make their picks for the village's next leaders.

Incumbent Mayor Keith Pekau's People Over Politics slate will face off against mayoral challenger Jim Dodge's Orland Park for All.

Pekau is flanked by trustee candidates Sean Kampas, Carol McGury, and Brian Riordan, along with clerk candidate Brian Gaspardo.

Dodge leads his slate of trustee candidates Dina M. Lawrence, John Lawler and Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad, as well as Mary Ryan Norwell for clerk.

Patch sent questionnaires to candidates, and their answers are now published in their candidate profiles. Early voting began March 17. Find out where and when you can vote ahead of April 1.

Candidate:

Brian Riordan

Campaign website:

People Over Politics

Office sought:

Orland Park Village Trustee

Town/city of residence:

Orland Park

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

People Over Politics

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

No

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Attorney 29+ years

Previous or current elected or appointed office.

Orland Park Trustee

The most pressing issues facing Orland Park are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Economic Development and Public Safety. Our team has a phenomenal track record on both issues but we need to continue the good work that has been done over the last 8 years. We will continue to properly and fully vet all potential economic opportunities both commercial residential and be they fit into Orland Park's comprehensive plan. We provide the proper incentives to potential developments that will bring in high quality business and add to the more than 5000 jobs that have been created over the last several years. We will work with responsible residential developers who will work with us to bring in quality homes to continue to make Orland Park the best place to live work and play in the southwest suburbs.

For public safety our team will continue to fully support our police department as we have done with new equipment, new technology, new training resources, new facilities etc. We have and will continue to fight against the radical policies of some of our county and state leaders when it comes to prioritizing criminals over residents and law enforcement. We will continue to recruit and hire the best officers, train them the Orland Park way and continue to keep our residents and visitors safe. The proof is in the statistics. Our department is the best in the area with the lowest index crime rates for several years running. Our team will continue to work closely with the department to provide them the resources and tools they need to keep us and our businesses safe.

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

While I do not know them personally, I have learned of their backgrounds and agendas. The most glaring difference to me is that everyone on our team is dedicated to serving the people of Orland Park. They have no agenda. They are not doing to this for the money, for a pension, to help their business, to get jobs or work for their family and friends. Just good, committed residents who want what's best for Orland Park. We want efficient government with low taxes. Former trustee Dodge and his team have a history of pushing for higher taxes, increasing the size of government, playing developer and helping their friends.

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

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Our campaign can be defined as continuing to move Orland Park forward, not going back to the days of part time politicians getting huge salaries, pensions and benefits. We want what is best for all of Orland Park and all of its residents.

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

Our accomplishments are widely known. We have lowered to tax levy numerous times. We have put in term limits and lowered the salaries for politicians. We have provided economic incentive packages to attract numerous new business that have brought more than 5000 jobs. We have fixed roads and parks and finished jobs that were wasting away under the former trustee and former mayors watch i.e.; Centennial Park West, Schussler, The John Humphrey Complex among many others.

Why should voters trust you?

I stand up for what I believe and I tell the truth. I will do what is right for the people of Orland Park. I have no hidden agenda. This position is in no way benefiting me or my family personally. My family and I have been attacked, our opponents and their henchmen have filed frivolous claims, they contacted my employer and continue to tear down Orland Park. This is a great community with wonderful and diverse residents. I have been and will be a trustee for all of them. We may not always agree on every single thing but I will continue to listen, talk things out, have empathy for others positions and make decisions on the facts and what is best for Orland Park.

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

We will be successful if we continue to manage our finances appropriately while maintaining our high standards for new development. Keeping our taxes as low as possible and maintaining our low crime statistics by supporting our police.

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

Orland Park needs to continue to manage and reduce its debt. We have and are in the process of completing some major capital projects. We will continue to work with all our departments to be as efficient as possibly and find ways to bring the same outstanding services Orland Park has come to expect. We have and will continue to find ways to reduce taxes and fees.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

We make it a priority to keep our residents, visitors and businesses safe and secure. Thanks to the finest police department in all of Illinois, Orland Park is once again rated one of the safest towns in America. Over the last 6 years, we have achieved the lowest level of crime in the last 31 years. Of the 360 largest suburbs in the country, we are top 5 for lowest property crime (#2) and lowest for violent crime (#5). For cities with over 50,000 residents in Illinois, we have the lowest violent crime rate for the last 5 years. And during the riots and looting in 2020, we proactively kept our residents and businesses safe. We’ve also ensured our law enforcement has the latest equipment and introduced body cameras before the state mandated them. We’re also adding a new training facility and firing range will open to better train our law enforcement professionals and to continue our success

What is your view of the Village's approach to commercial and residential development?

Pls see above answers. I addition we need both to continue being a thriving community. We need more commercial development to keep up with the demand for the number of businesses who want to move here and we must continue welcoming that. We’ve added over 5,000 jobs under my leadership and welcomed over 600 new businesses that have strengthened our retail, restaurant, and auto sectors. And our residential market is growing.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

Residents want quality businesses in town. Ones that take pride in being in Orland Park. We work hard to create an environment that makes good businesses want to come to Orland Park. We are finally going to complete the disaster left us by the previous administration and our opponents by getting the Triangle developed. Ground will break soon and it should be done by then end of 2026. We also have high quality residential developments going in btw Costco and Marcus Theater. We continue to work on the 159th st/LaGrange Rd and Andrew Corporation properties and have exciting opportunities at both locations.

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've been a resident of Orland Park for 14 years and my wife and I have raised our 4 children here. We have been consumers of all the great things that Orland Park has to offer from the parks, the schools, the restaurants, the shopping, the low crime etc. My entire goal for running 4 years ago, and now for re-election has been to give back to my community that has given me and my family so much. Nothing more.