Election 2025: Orland Township Supervisor Candidate Paul O'Grady

ORLAND TOWNSHIP, IL — The consolidated election is April 1, and Orland Township leadership will inevitably see a shakeup.

Three separate slates will vie for Township spots including supervisor, clerk, highway commissioner, and trustee. Twelve candidates are jockeying for four trustee spots.

Incumbent Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady and his Orland Township Together slate includes clerk candidate Reem Odeh, highway commissioner candidate John Lynch (a current trustee), and trustee candidates Michael Maratea (incumbent), Kristin Hawksworth, Patrick Feldner (incumbent), and Marie Fuesel.

For the Orland Township United slate, current Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly tops the ticket as supervisor candidate, with incumbent clerk Cindy Murray, current highway commissioner Antonio Rubino for assessor, Tracy Sullivan for highway commissioner, and trustee candidates Michael Schofield, Lena Matariyeh, Danny Flores, and Kelly Metzger.

Several declared Republican candidates are trying for spots, as well. Appearing as Republican candidate for clerk is Shannon Olson. Competing for highway commissioner is Republican candidate William Brennan. Republican candidates Kenneth Duffy, Frank Williams, Kenneth Soltis, and Matthew Keane, Jr. will also contend for trustee spots.

Candidate:

Paul O'Grady

Campaign website:

Orland Township Together

Office sought:

Orland Township Supervisor

Town/city of residence:

Orland Park

Party affiliation:

N/A

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

No members of my family work in politics or government.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

As a young police officer, I patrolled Orland Township. After law school, I worked as a prosecutor with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, successfully putting criminals in jail. I have been an attorney for over 25 years, leading my own law firm since 2012.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

I have proudly served the Orland Township community as the Orland Township Supervisor since 2009. As Township Supervisor, I am committed to holding the line on taxes while protecting and enhancing services for our residents.

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

The most pressing issues facing our township are financial and accessibility challenges for seniors, and this is what I intend to do about them:

A recent article published by the Chicago Tribune highlighted challenges faced by the local senior population. According to the study, key issues faced by older adults are limited awareness of available services, social isolation, housing concerns and financial insecurity.

Orland Township has an extensive array of programs, services and channels of communication already in place to combat the issues revealed by this recent study. It is crucial that we work together as a community to ensure that our cherished senior population feels supported and connected.

I have long known that hosting senior programs and events can significantly benefit communities by addressing and alleviating social isolation among older adults.
These opportunities are more than a night or afternoon out, they are a shared social experience that aids in mental wellbeing and promotes camaraderie among community members.

Social interaction can lead to lower rates of depression and anxiety among seniors, positively impacting their overall mental health.

The Township offers events that provide information on health screenings, nutrition, and physical activity tailored to seniors, promoting overall health. We add new programming based on interest and need.

Under my guidance, Orland Township offers a myriad of programs and services to alleviate financial strains on residents due to hardships or emergencies. The Orland Township General Assistance office provides financial assistance and referral information to Orland Township individuals and families during severe economic crisis.

General Assistance is a financial aid program that helps residents meet basic needs until employment or another source of income, such as Social Security, disability or public aid, is obtained. Eligibility is determined by established guidelines based on income, assets and household size. Applicants should have no other potential means of income and should have applied for all possible benefits to be eligible.

Emergency Assistance is financial aid granted to qualified individuals and families on a short-term basis to alleviate life-threatening circumstances or to assist residents in returning to self-sufficiency. If an individual or family is eligible, they may receive assistance once in a 24-month period to meet basic expenses.

The Orland Township Food Pantry operates 5 days per week and provides a nutritious array of groceries to those who are in need. In addition to shelf stable pantry staples, the Orland Park Food Pantry offers fresh fruits and vegetables, ensure protein shakes, frozen meats and fish, dairy items and more.

Medical equipment is expensive. Many insurance plans do not cover the full cost or, in some cases, any of the cost of buying or renting medical equipment. Orland Township is proud to be able to provide medical equipment at no charge for use for any Orland Township resident.

I am proud that Orland Township is ahead of the curve, anticipating and providing the essential services for the needs of our senior population. I plan to continue on this productive and caring path to ensure the services and programs continue and thrive.

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

As a candidate for the position of Township Supervisor, my background and experiences uniquely distinguish me from my opponents. In short, due to my extensive experience and subject matter knowledge that just simply cannot be taught, it must be lived. I put my heart into the responsibility I have as Orland Township Supervisor, and the natural result of that is a deep understanding of the community’s needs and challenges.

My hands-on experience in public service has equipped me with the practical insights that inform my decision-making. This commitment translates into effective leadership that prioritizes the well-being of our residents and fosters a collaborative and engaged community.

I know the people, I know the role and I am the only person uniquely qualified to continue to provide these services to our senior residents at the level they have grown accustomed to. I am prepared to continue serving Orland Township with integrity, transparency, and a genuine passion for improving the lives of our residents.

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.

My vision for Orland Township is as vibrant as it is inclusive. I will continue to prioritize keeping taxes low while maximizing resources to deliver high-quality services. Under my administration, Orland Township has become a model of effective governance, blending tradition with innovation to meet the evolving needs of its residents. With a proven track record and an unwavering dedication to the Orland Township community, I am committed to continuing his work to make Orland Township a place where families thrive, seniors feel supported, and every resident has a voice.

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

The accomplishments I’d cite (in addition to those cited above) are:

• Financial Management: Efficiently managing the township's budget and financial resources, ensuring sustainability and efficiency.

• Community Engagement: Fostering strong communication with residents by offering multiple channels of communication to meet the needs of all stakeholders. This fosters transparency and encourages community involvement in government.

Why should voters trust you?

I believe I’ve earned the trust of Orland Township voters by simply proving myself. Over the years, I have showed up and accomplished not only what needed to be done, but what should be done. I’m proud of the accomplishments I’ve advocated for and implemented, mainly because I’ve witnessed the good it has done for the community. I see it in the faces of the seniors who find comfort in our services, from health clinics to day trips and all across the board, we provide services that improve the latter years of our residents and close the gap when unfortunate circumstances arise.

I’d like to believe trust is built with consistency, and I hope that the consistency I’ve shown in creating and sustaining programs and services that are beneficial to Orland Township residents will speak for me.

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

If re-elected, I would view a successful term in office as one that focused on enhancing community engagement, camaraderie and implementing effective policies that address issues important to the residents. I’d view maintaining the strong partnerships I’ve built over the years with stakeholders as a solid success as well.

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

As an incumbent seeking reelection, I’ve learned to depend on a transparent and accountable approach to fiscal policy. It's crucial to ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed efficiently, focusing on essential services and infrastructure improvements. Regular audits and community engagement in budget discussions help maintain trust and ensure funds are allocated where they most benefit residents. I also support exploring innovative funding solutions to enhance our township's resilience.

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?

As a former police officer, I recognize the dedication necessary to ensure public safety. The Orland Park Police Department is phenomenal, keeping our community safe and employing some of the best trained police officers in the area. The entire Orland Township area is one of the safest in the region, with very low violent crime rates and that is all due to the valiant efforts of our public safety professionals.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

The village’s approach to commercial and residential development is well-meaning, but could benefit from really listening to what the residents and businesses need.

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?

Like I said above, the village’s approach is well-intentioned, but flawed due to the lack of communication and collaborative understanding of the needs of the community. The development services department, under the direction of the current administration, has been severely hampered with poor staffing decisions, with permits taking months instead of days, storefronts and mall anchors left empty for years and a lack of appropriate and affordable housing for Orland Township’s senior residents to alleviate some of the pains of a fixed and reduced income. This is the least we could do for those who have paved the way and chosen to continue to live in the area. To make this happen, the village should work toward seeking developments that serve the senior community and more actively seek commercial developments to backfill existing empty locations.

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

If re-elected, I look forward to serving my full term in office and being of service to the Orland Township community.

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

I've raised my two sons, Colin and Connor, in Orland Park and am a proud member of the community, which is a great place to raise a family. We have the best schools, roads and infrastructure are fantastic. As far as my own accomplishments not listed previously:

Education

FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia, Certification of Executive Management, 2004
Harvard School of Law, Program on Negotiations Certification, 2003
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, JD, 2000
Loyola University Chicago, BS, magna cum laude, 1996

Admissions

United States District Court – Southern District of Texas (Houston Division)
United States District Court – District of New Mexico (Albuquerque)

State of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Supreme Court of the United States

Memberships

FBI National Academy Association
International Chiefs of Police

I would be honored to continue to serve the residents of Orland Township as their Township Supervisor for another term.