Eric Rossi takes over as Orland Park's interim police chief on March 25. (Photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park)
Orland Park residents involved in county and state election races
By Jeff Vorva
There will be no municipal elections in Orland Park in June, but Orland Park residents will be key players in several county and state races.
Orland Park resident Liz Gorman, a Republican, is running for the Cook County Commissioner of the 17th District, a post she held from 2002-2015. Former Village of Orland Park board member Dan Calandriello, an attorney, is throwing his hat into the race for the Cook County Democratic bid for the 17th District spot.
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau filed his petition for Congress in the 6th District and Scott Kasper of Orland Park will be one of several opponents.
Orland Park’s Brett Mahlen is one of several Republicans running for lieutenant governor and Maryann Mahler is running for United States senator.
The primaries for these races take place June 28.
Chief component
Due to a reporting error Eric Rossi was not named the new police chief in Orland, as reported in the March 10 Regional. He will serve as the interim chief starting March 25 and the board approved terms of that deal at the March 7 meeting.
The interim chief has been a member of the Orland Park Police Department for more than 18 years and has served as a patrol officer, bicycle patrol officer, field training officer, investigator, patrol sergeant, lieutenant in administration, Investigations Commander and Deputy Chief.
He has also served on the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force as an investigator and assistant commander.
Rossi is a graduate of Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Lewis University. He is married and has two children.
He takes over for Joseph Mitchell, who is leaving the village to become the chief in Wilmington. Mitchell was with the force for 27 years including that past two years as chief.
Good deeds
In an effort to provide assistance in the form of vital supplies in support of Ukrainian refugees, the Village of Orland Park is organizing a collection event to be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Village Hall, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave.
Those who cannot attend the day of the collection event but still wish to contribute can drop off items at Village Hall at any time prior to the event. Collection bins will be located in the lobby.
Sponsors are needed, should local businesses wish to assist with transportation, packaging or donations as well.
Items being collected will focus on the needs of the many Ukrainian women and children who are refugees in Poland at this time. The village requests that all items be new and unexpired.
Items requested include baby items (clothing, diapers, blankets, rash cream, wipes, bibs, sippy cups, teethers, etc.), sleeping bags and blankets, feminine hygiene products, first aid (Antibiotic ointment, Aquaphor ointment, Band-Aids, digital thermometer, lip balm, tissues, antibacterial wipes, fever reducer) women’s and children’s clothing (hats, gloves, scarves, socks, underwear, thermal undergarment, etc.), backpacks and refillable water bottles.
In addition to items, monetary donations are needed to cover shipping fees and those who are available to volunteer can donate their time. A signup form can be accessed at orlandpark.org/Ukraine.
Also, surplus ballistic vests have been sent from the Orland Park Police Department to assist Ukrainian volunteer combatants.
“We are happy to do whatever we can to help with this urgent request,” Mitchell said.
The vests, which are no longer needed by the Orland Park Police Department, were sent to Wroclaw, Poland and will be given directly to Ukrainian civilians to help protect them from sniper fire they may encounter during the war.
Local News
Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.
Neighbors
Her back against the wall, Stacy needs help
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Editor Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound (708)-496-0265 . Clearing and Garfield Ridge have earned a reputation as a place where people look out for each other—and that sometimes means caring for each other in times of need. Today, I want to talk about one such person, who sure could use…
It’s (pizza) party time at OLS
Spread the love. Third graders at Our Lady of the Snows School break into cheers as they learn they’ve won a pizza party for selling more raffle booklets than any other class. The recent Grand Raffle fundraiser brought in about $6,000. Parents looking for a grade school for their sons and daughters for 2024-25 are…
Dart wants free mental health care for first responders
Spread the love. From staff reports The Illinois Senate has passed legislation proposed by Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart that eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for first responders seeking mental health treatment. “We ask first responders to be constantly exposed to traumatic and dangerous situations to protect us,” Dart said. “This legislation is a solid step…
Volunteers give Palos Heights a spring cleaning
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Palos Heights works hard to keep its city beautiful. Gathering residents together for a day of cleaning and fun was the Palos Heights Green Team with a Clean Up Day on April 13. “This event invited everyone in our community to do their part in combating pollution by having a…
Hunt man who tried to rob Chase Bank
Spread the love. FBI looking for tips from public . From staff reports FBI officials are appealing to the public for help in finding a man who attempted to rob a Southwest Side bank branch. The bandit tried to rob the Chase Bank branch at 5687 S. Archer (just west of Laramie) at about 11…
Casten lauds Biden for ‘clean energy’ move
Spread the love. From staff reports A move designed to spur the responsible development of clean energy on America’s public lands was recently lauded by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th). The congressman, co-chairman of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force, joined by co-chairman Mike Levin (D-Calif.), released a…
E-Notary makes things easier, Giannoulias says
Spread the love. From staff reports Illinois residents will no longer have to notarize documents in person under a new Electronic-Notary system administered by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office. Electronic Notarization, or “E-Notary,” will radically change the way people and use notary services, Giannoulias predicted. Without leaving the home or office, an individual or…
Oak Lawn honor Fire and Public Safety Contest winners
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce presented awards to the winners of the 2023 Fire and Public Safety Coloring Book Contest at the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting on April 9. Fire Bureau Chief David Wheeler and Police Chief Daniel Vittoro were on hand to present the plaques, along with Oak…
Rashid scolds TV news orgs on climate change
Spread the love. From staff reports State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-21st) recently scolded major news organizations for what he called a lack of attention to climate change. “Last year was marked by alarming climate extremes, from record-breaking heat waves to devastating floods, droughts and wildfires,” Rashid wrote earlier this month in a letter to his…
Comings & Goings: Ross to replace Walt’s at Tinley Park Plaza
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong When Walt’s Foods closed its Tinley Park location almost three years ago, it left a giant hole in the Tinley Park Plaza near 159th Street and Harlem Avenue. That hole will soon be filled with a new 22,000-square-foot Ross Dress for Less store and a 9,800-square-foot Five Below store. A…