One Orland Party Candidate: Patrick O'Sullivan

ORLAND PARK, IL — Meet Patrick O'Sullivan, the Village Clerk candidate running with the One Orland Party in the April 2021 Consolidated Elections.

Sullivan recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Patrick O'Sullivan

Age (as of Election Day)

50

Town/City of Residence

Orland Park

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

One Orland Party

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Science, Bradley University

Occupation

President, PRO Insurance Services since 1996

Campaign website

www.oneorland.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

High School District 230 – I have served as President, Vice-President, Chair of Building and Finance, Education committees

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is our budget. I want to grow our economic base by developing the I-80 corridor.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I believe no American should be afraid of the police if they have done nothing wrong. I will always support any American’s right to assemble peacefully while adhering to the rule of law.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

What I hear from Orland Park residents, across all backgrounds, is that they don't think their village board is listening to them. While I don't know specifically of the current board's actions (or inaction) on racial equality, I do believe that if residents don't feel like they can get support from their village leadership, they won't be able to feel safe in their community. I want to be part of the team that will listen and work with our residents to get results on whatever challenges they're facing.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I do not believe the responses have been effective. I believe businesses and citizens should follow CDC and IDPH guidelines. I think masks should be strongly encouraged.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

As a member of the D230 Board, we are a part of the distribution team. I believe that working together to help each unit of local government should be the focal point, not trying to take over and get all of the credit.

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

Despite the mayor taking a salary of $150,000 under the promise that he would be a full time business developer, the Village has also hired a business developer for $120,000 annually. That’s $270,000 towards development that has shown no results. I want to use taxpayer dollars responsibly and ensure that we are good stewards of the public’s money.

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

There has been a lack of business development and fiscal responsibility. We have not seen a Village Property tax rebate since the new Mayor has been in office.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Our slate is focused on economic Growth, keeping partisan politics out of Orland Park, and fiscal responsibility.

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

I have a record of accomplishment of balanced budgets in D230 amidst declining enrollment and uncertainty regarding state funding for schools.

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

I would consider a successful term one that included a balanced budget, new and versatile businesses coming to Orland Park, and a united Village with government that was civil again.

Why should voters trust you?

My track record of service and success at D230 have been driven by my love for this community. I would like to take the skills I’ve employed in our schools to the Village of Orland Park.

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

As elected officials, we’ve been entrusted to use taxpayer money effectively, and I believe our current officeholders have failed in that regard. The current mayor has ignored citizens’ needs for too long and wasted our money on public lawsuits to raise his political profile. I have kept balanced budgets while serving on the D230 school board and I want to bring that sense of fiscal responsibility to Village Hall.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always under-promise and over-deliver.

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

We need to grow our economy along the I-80 corridor and diversify our economy away from retail. We can do this along the I-80 corridor, where nothing has been done for and there has been nothing done there in the last four years. We need to balance the budget without selling off assets and keep an eye on expenses. We are wasting money on lack of development, unsuccessful lawsuits, and other unnecessary expenses.