A Slobbering Love Affair Between the CFL and the OFPD Union: Ambulance One Edition

The people of Orland Park have worked hard to keep their community strong, independent, and free from the corrosive politics that have dragged Chicago into disrepair. But troubling developments suggest that’s all under threat — and at the center of it stands Bob Reiter Jr., President of the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL), and Orland Fire Union President Dan Fagan (a Non-Orland Park Resident).

Recently, the Orland Park Firefighters Union (Local 2754) made the quiet but deeply concerning decision to join the Chicago Federation of Labor — a move that should alarm every taxpayer in the district. The CFL is no ordinary labor organization; it is the single largest backer of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates (who also serves on the CFL executive board), and a long list of political operatives who have driven Chicago into economic decline, school closures, skyrocketing taxes, and rampant mismanagement.

And let’s not forget — the Orland Fire Union President (Dan Fagan, a Non-Orland Park Resident) candidates were soundly defeated in the last election by a wide margin. So how do they retaliate? By welcoming the Chicago Federation of Labor into our community — and into our checkbooks. The CFL’s goal is not to help taxpayers — it’s to ensure that your property taxes go up and union control expands unchecked.

This is the same kind of retaliation we are seeing with the situation surrounding Ambulance One, and the Orland Fire Union Leadership misleading the public and their members. Please click on the link to see the official statement regarding Ambulance One and what is actually happening (Link Here). President Beth Damas-Kaspar tried making the people at the board meeting aware of what was happening with Ambulance One. However, the crowd wasn't there for facts; they were there to grandstand.

Make no mistake — the union leadership’s decision to join ranks with the Chicago Federation of Labor is not about improving services or protecting residents. It’s about power, control, and keeping the cash flowing.

Bob Reiter Jr. is no stranger to political controversy. When federal authorities laid out a detailed bribery scheme involving longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, Reiter didn’t flinch. Instead of standing for accountability, he defended Madigan’s corruption, shamelessly pointing to “policy wins” while ignoring the betrayal of public trust. Mike Madigan is now a convicted felon, and was found guilty. And yet, this same man — who looked the other way while Springfield rotted — now has the gall to question three duly elected trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District? The hypocrisy is staggering.

Fortunately, Orland Park has leaders who refuse to back down. President Beth Damas-Kaspar, Trustee Donald "DJ" Jeffers, and Trustee Bridget "Eileen" Tolan have taken a courageous stand — not just to expose the attempted fire district merger that was uncovered, but to protect taxpayers from the growing grip of the Chicago Federation of Labor. While others stayed silent or fell in line, they stood up and said, “Not here. Not on our watch.”

At last night’s meeting, the crowd was unruly, insubordinate, rude, and condescending to the Board of Trustees — harassing and laughing at them during their remarks. It was appalling. The fact that some attendees proudly uploaded and shared this behavior afterward only reinforces the truth: we are not dealing with individuals seeking answers or understanding — we are dealing with a group of activists who were rejected by the voters and now crave power. You could clearly hear one of the failed candidates chirping in the background, adding to the disorder. The crowd was completely out of line and should learn how to conduct themselves when in a public setting. It was no different than when they hijacked the OFPD meeting room to hold an illegal campaign rally.

Make no mistake — the leaders of these unions don’t care about your wallets, taxes, or even the ambulance. They care about one thing: power and campaigning. And maybe, just maybe, Mayor Keith Pekau was not only right — he was ahead of the curve. He has been sounding the alarm on the Chicago Federation of Labor’s quiet efforts to hijack the Village of Orland Park for years. Time and again, he has stood tall in warning residents about the creeping influence of Chicago-style politics, and this is just the latest example proving him right. Although many in our community are proudly pro-union, we cannot afford to be bullied or intimidated by government-funded unions pushing a political agenda. Enough is enough.

At the meeting, Bob Reiter also expressed concerns with journalist Ray Hanania’s article. For clarity — I don’t believe Mr. Reiter is prejudiced at all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. He wants everyone's property taxes raised equally. He doesn’t care who you are — as long as you’re paying more.
President Beth Damas-Kaspar, Trustee Donald "DJ" Jeffers, and Trustee Bridget "Eileen" Tolan are the only line of defense between the Chicago machine and the wallets of Orland Park residents. For their service, their vigilance, and their refusal to be bullied by big-city union bosses, they deserve our trust, respect, and support.

Although Bob Reiter Jr. is the President of the CFL, he is often seen as more powerful than he actually is. While he may hold influence in far-left socialist circles, his credibility beyond that echo chamber is weak and increasingly questioned. His defense of disgraced politicians and his effort to insert CFL politics into suburban governance reveal more about his ambitions than his actual effectiveness. Orland Park isn’t impressed by titles — we’re focused on actions, results, and accountability. And on that front, Reiter’s record is deeply lacking.

Please note that our firefighters and the day-to-day union members are exemplary public servants. They serve with honor and distinction and should always be treated with respect. Unfortunately, they are not in a position to speak out against the regime of the Orland Union Leadership (Non-Orland Residents)— they are just as much victims as the taxpayers. Hopefully, some will begin to see that a change in union leadership is necessary, as their current union president continues to attempt to alter reality while dragging this district into chaos.

Thank you to the brave men and women of the Orland Fire Protection District. I’m back — and just getting started in keeping taxpayers informed. You thought the merger lies were bad? That was just the tip of the iceberg of what I’ve uncovered during my short hiatus.