La Margo Out As Orland Manager; Dubelbeis Named As Replacement

ORLAND PARK, IL -- Joseph La Margo is out as village manager for Orland Park and has been replaced by former trustee Thomas Dubelbeis, a mayoral appointee.

La Margo, a popular and well-liked manager, was pushed out after the April elections, several trustees said, and he has acknowledged publicly that Mayor Keith Pekau had asked him to leave. Pekau had stated the decision was mutual.

La Margo, whose last day was May 6, was a 13-year village employee. He started in 2006 as a public information officer and deputy clerk, and was promoted in 2015 to assistant village manager. He was named manager two years later.

Last week, Pekau appointed Dubelbeis as a temporary manager in what many trustees said was a contentious, political move. Trustees, who approved the appointment, withheld discussion about the change during last week's meeting until the executive session, where personnel details often are discussed. Several trustees who attended that session described it as "heated."

Daniel Calandriello, who opposed the Dubelbeis appointment, said during the meeting he did so because of the questionable cost involved.

"I am concerned about the financial impact on the village,"he said. "We paid a great village manager $150,000 to go away."

La Margo, whose benefits and salary totaled about $229,000, was paid a severance of $150,000. His contract had been extended last August until 2021. Pekau voted against it.

Dubelbeis was elected as a trustee in 1991 and served more than 10 years on the village board. In this role, he will be paid the equivalent of $140,000 a year. It is not clear how long he is expected to hold the job.

City managers are appointed positions that can last through several administrations. They are considered the "chiefs" of the municipality they serve and manage its daily tasks. In Orland's form of government, the mayor is an elected position with weaker powers and typically serves in a ceremonial role. Pekau, however, also is tasked with business development in Orland.