Ray Hanania
Telling a Big Lie in suburban races
By Ray Hanania
If one thing binds Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison and Orland Park Trustee Cindy Katsenes together, it’s “the Big Lie.”
Morrison is distributing a fake “report” smearing Liz Gorman that his minions repeatedly tried to get published at reputable news sources. Gorman is the most qualified person to represent the 17th Cook County District and lead the Republican Party in Orland Park.
The report is a collection of lies, and Pekau and Morrison have repeatedly tried to get it published by a reputable source like the Patch, but the Patch keeps removing it.
Morrison just copied the false report attributed to the “Better Governance Association” (a fake group intended to sound like the Better Government Association) and print it with the Patch logo to mislead the public and has been texting and mailing it to voters in the 17th District.
Morrison falsely claims, “This fully verified & sourced report on Liz Gorman exposes who she really is.” It’s not. It has been debunked and removed by the Patch each time.
Not surprisingly, Morrison supporters are behind other anonymous and vicious robocalls and flyers attacking Gorman with the lies.
In contrast, robocalls and mailers critical of Morrison are verified and Gorman has openly identified herself as the source of those claims. That’s because they are true.
Morrison’s cable TV commercial is another example of The Big Lie strategy, which includes the whopper lie that Gorman supported an increase in the retail sales tax. Wow! How stupid does Morrison think voters are?
Everyone knows Gorman was the only Republican on the Cook County Board who led the repeal of the sales tax, even convincing Democrats who originally supported the tax hike to reverse their support.
The lies of the triumvirate of Pekau-Morrison-Katsenes are so outlandish and false it shows how consumed they are with Gorman.
Pekau is no different. Pekau barely won election as Orland Park mayor (by 138 votes). During five years in office, he has done nothing except pat himself on the back like he is Maverick from the fictional movie Top Gun.
Pekau’s sole act was to convince three businesses, already in Orland, with incentives to relocate to 151st and LaGrange Road, like it is some kind of economic boom.
Citing a report in Chicago Magazine that praises Orland Park’s natural location as being the best in the region, Pekau is claiming credit. Orland is the best community, and always has been — but long before Pekau stumbled into office. Highlights include Open Lands, homeowner stability, low taxes, and great schools.
But Pekau had nothing to do with any that. Dan McLaughlin, the former mayor, created the Open Lands project. The low taxes have to do with Gorman fighting to hold down sales taxes. Pekau has been attacking our great schools, seeking to control them.
Not cited are Pekau’s campaign signs littering the village; some placed illegally on village property, others on easements and at property lines as close to the roadways as possible.
There is one topic, however, Morrison and Pekau don’t want to talk about. Notice Morrison’s silence on the topic of Anthony Martin? Martin is the sex predator who worked for Morrison as his top gun.
I submitted FOIA requests to get records on Martin, the convicted sex predator who worked for Morrison Security and who Morrison defended with a letter to the judge, seeking leniency.
Pekau’s administration refused to release police reports on Martin, I’m sure, because when you read them, they make Morrison look horrible. But the Illinois Attorney General ordered Pekau to release them, so he released some.
I petitioned again to get all the sordid records, and the Illinois Attorney General sent an even tougher letter directing Pekau’s administration to release all documents.
Morrison’s strongest arguments are misleading claims (to the Chicago Sun-Times) that he called for Martin’s arrest and prosecution. But nowhere in any of the released court or police records are there any documents to support that self-serving claim.
Nothing to verify Morrison’s lie that he did anything to stop Martin, who was accused and later convicted of sexually harassing a 14-year-old Orland Park girl at a pool party that Morrison hosted at his Palos home for several employees, including the victim’s mother.
Read the sordid but authentic documents yourself at Hanania.com, a testament to Morrison’s failings.
These are not “People Over Politics.” They are “Politics Over People.” They will do anything to win including using “the Big Lie.”
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
Palos Heights recognizes volunteers
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights handed out awards last week recognizing the services provided by volunteers through the years. The proclamations, which were read aloud during the city council meeting April 16, were a testament to the city’s volunteers and were handed out as part of Volunteer Recognition Week. Volunteers were cited for…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event…
Gaming licenses to be tougher to get in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s going to take longer to receive gaming licenses in Orland Park. The village board passed an ordinance April 15 that would allow table service businesses open at least 36 consecutive months to apply rather than the previous 18 months, and extended the probationary period to 18 months instead of…
Palos Park passes $16 million budget
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Park Village Council approved the 2024-25 budget, which totals a little more than $16.3 million at the April 22 village council meeting. According to village documents, it represented an increase of a shade over $603,000 from last year. The village is expecting $13.4 million in revenue and $1.86…
Fire damages Al Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Orland Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a fire Monday evening at the Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Dr. At first, restaurant owners suspected the fire alarm was triggered by a malfunction, but as firefighters inspected the restaurant to reset the fire alarm, they detected a burning smell. “What…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
‘Brazen and cowardly’: Police, community outraged by officer’s slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Police and others across the Southwest Side reacted with outrage this week over the slaying of a Chicago Police officer in the early morning hours on Sunday. Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot to death on the street in the 3100 block of West 56th Street at 2:53 a.m.…
Neighbors
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…
Oak Lawn trustee says village needs state grocery tax
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An Oak Lawn trustee said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax will be costly for the village. Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th), accompanied by Mayor Terry Vorderer, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Springfield where they learned more about the governor’s proposal to eliminate…