Election 2025: Orland Township Trustee Candidate Kenneth Duffy

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:

Kenneth Duffy

Campaign website:

Orland GOP Facebook

Office sought:

Orland Township Trustee

Town/city of residence:

Orland Park

Party affiliation:

Republican

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

My son is a federal agent with the US Border Patrol. My father was a village trustee in Park Forest for over 10 years.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Retired business manager of 50 years.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Milton Township Precinct Committeeman - Previous Elected Office

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

Fiscal responsibility. Our tax dollars for the township are minimal in comparison to our overall real estate tax bill. That makes it crucial that each dollar is spent wisely. There is so much more we can do in the way of services and maintenance if we were to stop overspending.

Currently the administration gets reimbursed for an exorbitant amount of money for business expenses. They are also in an expensive pension plan. Hiring at the township office is often based on who you know or who you are related to.

The transparency of the government today is minimal. There is no live feed or video available of the monthly board meetings. The township expenses are always delayed in being published to the website as well as the meeting minutes. To determine where the money went takes some digging and studying. This is deliberate deception.

The condition of township roads, parks, sidewalks, signage and lighting are all in disrepair.

If I am elected I will end wasteful spending by getting competitive quotes for all contracts. Limit the amount of expenses board members can get reimbursed for and eliminate the pensions for elected officials.

All board meetings will be live streamed for everyone to see. And a video copy will be permanently maintained online for later viewing.

All township expenses will be published monthly online. And expenses will be compared to the budget.

Meeting minutes will be published online within 30 days of the meeting for all to see.
I will get all township roads paved and up to recognized standards. As well as all of the township infrastructure. I also intend to increase senior services and the food pantry.

I want to implement a new C.E.R.T. program through the F.E.M.A. I am a current member of this organization and it brings a huge service to our community.

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

I am a huge believer in integrity, transparency and honesty. That is a rare quality for a person holding public off today. I am Christian and use my faith to lead my actions. I am conservative in my approach to finances and life. So I act with care and compassion.

My opponents? Well, just the opposite of everything I stated here. They spend recklessly, don't maintain the township offices and building, claim credit for items they have nothing to do with (i.e. DMV), violate the law and the ethics of elected officials.

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

The current trustees appear to not be putting in either the time or the effort to get the job done. The board meetings for the entire month take only a few minutes. Trustees have either no report on things they have done or there report takes less than 5 minutes. You will rarely find them in the township offices. I plan to spend whatever it takes in my time and energy to complete all the needed tasks to serve our community. If you go to the township office you will most likely find me there. If not I am always available via phone, email or in person. No hiding.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I love this question as our opponents have no platform at all.

When I walk our community the most common theme I hear is "we are all neglected by our township officials. We never see them, hear from them or are able to contact them. If they call with questions they are dismissed."

Our unincorporated areas have excessive water bills and nobody cares. They pay double what those in town pay. Their sidewalks are broken, streets are full of pot holes, etc.

I would define my platform as bringing back the great township we had in the past. One that is in tune with the communities needs. Listens and responds. Spends money carefully and responsibly. Stops nepotism in hiring and hires the best qualified people in all positions. All inquires responded to within 24 hours. Regardless of whether its a phone call, email, text, etc. Everyone is responded to timely.

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

When I was first elected as precinct committeeman the voters had no idea who our elected officials were. They didn't know where our precinct was? Who to contact for questions or where, when or how to vote. I engaged with every voter personally. Via phone, in person or email. Everyone knew who I was because I talked to them and responded to their needs.

I have been a board member on every HOA I have lived in. Usually as president or vice president. I know how to get things done in a cost effective manner. That leaves funds to do additional items without raising income.

I have spent my life running multi million dollar companies. I know how to operate lean and efficiently. I have the perseverance and desire to do things right.

Why should voters trust you?

I am a family man. I have a wonderful wife of 19 years. I have 4 children, 9 grandchildren and a great grandchild on the way! I live by example for them and intend to have a positive legacy for them to be proud of.

I am a God fearing Christian who lives for God first.
I have a huge social media presence so my life is an open book. Anyone can Google me and learn all there is to know about me.

I have worked or volunteered on the campaigns of many candidates in the past. If they trusted me then maybe you can too? Jimmy Carter, Al Salvi, Jim (Not George) Ryan, Jeanne Ives, Samantha Gasca and a few others.

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

The number one success would be no increase in taxes. But it goes much further than that. In my first term pensions for elected offices will have ended. Senior services will have increased as well as the food pantry. I will have reduced costs on all contracts and services that we pay for. Will have eliminated fees for our programs and services. Our senior transportation service area will have been increased. All unincorporated roadways will be paved as well as sidewalks replaced and parks renovated.

Our township building will not smell like dirty socks and the grounds will be properly maintained.
We will not be beholden to other political entities as is the current situation.
We will not be hiring people who are our relatives, friends or political connections.

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

As a trustee we have the entire responsibility for all spending. We determine policy and regulations regarding all spending. My views are that we are responsible to the taxpayers. What they expect, want or need is our primary focus.

We have a budget based on our income and that will always be our guide. No borrowing and no debt. No tax increases. But there are many ways to increase income without increasing taxes. We can also reduce existing costs by changing service providers.

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?

This is somewhat of a hot topic. The facts are our crime rate is down substantially. However, programs and systems need to be implemented to maintain a good rate as well as reduce it or prevent an increase. This a huge gap in our current system.

I am currently an active member of the Carol Stream Volunteer Police. I am also a current and active member of the Carol Stream C.E.R.T. program. Both are about improving and contributing to the safety of the community. I fully intend to implement and lead the C.E.R.T. program in Orland Township if elected.

We will also be working closely with the police departments of Orland Park, Tinley Park and Orland Hills.

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

Our township currently does not have an active role in development. If I am elected that is going to change. I hear complaints all the time about issues that are not township issues. Well, here is my take. ANYTHING occurring within the boundaries of Orland Township are our business! Period! I will never except that "this is not your purview".

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?

The number one area of development for Orland Township is to provide information and services to our community. First I would address our responsiveness to inquiries. Currently residents don't receive a timely response if at all. All inquiries will be addressed within 24 hours.

Currently our offices are absent of elected officials. Our team will commit to be available a minimum of 10 hours per day via in the office, phone or email. We will always be there for you. For me personally, I will respond during 15 hours per day and 7 days per week.

We will develop a documented/written plan showing all projects and maintenance. With a 5 year plan. This will include water rates, roads, walkways, parks, signage, buildings, rentals, equipment, etc. Nothing will be left for the imagination. Every item and plan documented and published.

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

I will serve my full term and run again for reelection. What I would like to accomplish will never end. As the plan for Orland Township will always be improving!

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

I was born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago. I moved my family to the northwest suburbs and lived there for decades only to return here, home. This is where my heart is.

I have witnessed the south suburbs decline dramatically. When you look around you will see many of our towns and townships in a deplorable condition. Our Orland Township has survived that for now but its not going to continue unless we have change.

We need to stop the reckless spending and the over spending on services. We can not only maintain but increase our services by more direct involvement in our programs.

My goal is to increase services and improve our infrastructure while reducing costs. As a businessman I have been successful at this for decades. I have a proven track record.