Jim Dodge was sworn in as Orland Park's new mayor on Monday, May 5. He spoke to residents of moving "quickly and decisively" on key issues.
Patch Staff
|Updated Thu, May 8, 2025 at 2:44 pm CT
ORLAND PARK, IL — In front of an overflow crowd Monday, Jim Dodge was sworn in as the new mayor of Orland Park, marking what he called a "new day" for the Village and its leadership.
Dodge, who defeated incumbent Keith Pekau on April 1, took his seat alongside his Orland Park For All slate mates Village Clerk Mary Ryan Norwell and trustees John Lawler, Dina Lawrence and Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad. The new additions joined sitting trustees William Healy, Cynthia Nelson Katsenes and Michael R. Milani.
Dodge won his seat after a vitriolic and caustic election cycle rife with mudslinging, political attacks and robocalls. Former mayor Keith Pekau's supporters rallied behind him, while thousands of others leaned into Dodge and his highly touted prospect of a fresh start. Ultimately, Dodge garnered 9,500 votes to Pekau's 6,940.
Dodge and the board's newly seated members spoke to the crowd, seeking to thank supporters and assuage others. He spared no time in addressing what had been a controversial move by his predecessor just a year earlier.
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"Welcome to the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall," he said, alluding to the removal of signage naming the building after late Mayor Fred Owens. "That sign’s going to be moving back soon.
"... Today’s a new day for Orland Park, and it’s a very clear demarcation point in our history."
Dodge pivoted from there, acknowledging the board's composition of his own slate and those who had been elected alongside Pekau.
“You will see us work collaboratively—all seven of us—in my sincere hope to do the greatest good for the greatest number," Dodge said.
"Doesn’t mean you’re going to be perfect, doesn’t mean you’re always going to get it right. But you have to work toward that goal and that aspiration."
Dodge said residents can expect to see that which the Orland Park For All slate campaigned on: "civility, courtesy, respect and professionalism.
"...The board’s going to move forward … with civility, thoughtfulness, respect," he said. "We’re going to get the engagement to get the best ideas. We’re going to bring the best of what we’ve learned in our professional lives and our personal lives to this board for decision-making. "
The board will move "quickly and decisively" to address stress points within the administration, beginning with tackling "in and an open and transparent" way any questions about Orland Park's financial status. They will "reset the compass" on spending priorities, he said, focusing on the priority of the people of Orland Park.
Dodge also plans to "revamp and revise" citizens' advisory committees, with thoughts of new ones to include cultural arts, seniors citizens and young families.
He will also work to "rebuild and deepen" relationships with other governing units, including school districts, Orland Public Library Board, Orland Fire Protection District, and Orland Township leadership.
In their decision-making, Dodge said he and the other officials will “bring the best of what we’ve learned in our professional lives and our personal lives.
"... We’re open to ideas from any source, we relish the discussion and the dialogue," he said earlier in the meeting. "We won’t always agree, but we can work the problem together. You’re going to see that as we go marching forward."
He told staff that he plans to get to know all of them, in an effort to solicit feedback and "drive up employee satisfaction.
"I always want multiple points of input," he said. "... The people who are doing the jobs have the best ideas to do that job better."
He considers the residents the customer, he said.
"Are the customers happy?" he said. "They’re paying our salaries. That’s why we do what we do."
Prior to Dodge's remarks, new Trustee Dina Lawrence thanked their predecessors for their efforts.
"They’ve laid a good foundation for us to work from," Lawrence said. "I believe that all of them did the best that they could with what they had in front of them, what internally they had, what externally they had. I really believe that.
"We will all do our best to first listen to the residents, try to understand what it is that they’re trying to convey to us, what their concerns are, what their ideas are. Work with these, to build better on that foundation."
Dodge closed his remarks with the promise of celebratory lemon fluff cake in the Civic Center.
"Thank you to the people in this room, and the people of Orland Park, for trusting us to make the right decisions for the people of our town," Dodge said. "We will ask, and I have a feeling you—the residents, staff, representatives from other units of government—you’re going to tell us what’s on your mind."
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