Pekau opposes bringing migrants to Orland Park

By Jeff Vorva

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is resisting any talk about accepting migrants that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants shipped to the suburbs.

In mid-August, Johnson said that he was looking for help from suburban towns to house the thousands of migrants, who are currently housed in police stations, Daley College, YMCAs, and other locations in the city.

Pekau is opposed to bringing them to Orland Park and after a resident spoke at the Aug. 21 village board meeting voicing concerns about the issue, the mayor amplified his opinions.

“I’ve been very clear, Brandon Johnson and [Gov. JB Pritzker] and the state of Illinois have declared a sanctuary state and sanctuary city, which is in violation of our laws,” Pekau said. “They have voted to violate our federal immigration laws, which is wrong.

“Then they’re going to compound that by trying to take people and they’re going to bus them out to the suburbs and force the suburbs to deal with it.”

The mayor said this was unfair to the people who live in the suburbs and the migrants themselves.

“Well, let’s be clear — what they’re doing is illegal,” Pekau said. “Also, what they’re doing is treating people like they’re chattel and that’s wrong, too.

“But here in Orland Park we’re going to follow the federal immigration laws and we’re going to make sure the residents stay safe.”

The village has a game plan if it is forced to accept the migrants.

“If someone puts these people here, we may not have control over it, we will make sure that they’re treated humanely and we’ll make sure that the people of Orland Park will be kept safe,” Pekau said. “But we have no intention of taking anybody from Brandon Johnson or from Governor Pritzker or anybody else.”

Doogan Park plans

The village already has a couple of big park expansions in the works at Centennial Park West as well as Schussler Park, but coming down the road will be some big-time work at Doogan Park, 14710 Park Lane.

After the Cultural Center is torn down, there will be more room for the park and plans include 10 pickleball courts, a shelter with restrooms, an asphalt loop trail, two bocce ball courts and improved parking.

Pekau said he liked the proposed changes to the park, especially because the community members gave their input to the project.

A majority of the work is scheduled for 2024 and the hope is for a grand opening in 2025.

Mark the calendar

Committee of the Whole and regular village board meetings usually take place the first and third Mondays each month.  But the next scheduled doubleheader of meetings would fall on Labor Day, so they have been postponed to Tuesday, Sept. 5.