Incorporated 1892. The Village President (Mayor), Village Clerk, and 6 Trustees are elected at-large to 4-year terms. Population: approximately 59,000.
Education & Military
Bachelor's degree, DePaul University (Chicago). M.B.A., University of Chicago Booth School of Business, concentrations in Finance and Economics. Served as a Sergeant in the Illinois Army National Guard.
Career — McKinsey, Nielsen, AI Analytics
Dodge built one of the most impressive corporate careers in Orland Park political history. He worked at McKinsey & Company — one of the most prestigious management consulting firms in the world, where partners typically earn $500,000+/year. He then rose to Senior Vice President at The Nielsen Company, the global measurement and data analytics giant with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. He went on to lead an advanced analytics and artificial intelligence consulting practice specializing in data science and risk analytics. These are C-suite-adjacent roles at Fortune 500-caliber companies.
Political Career — 36 Years in Village Government
- 1989: Elected Village Clerk at age 26 — youngest elected official in Orland Park history at that time
- 1989–1996: Village Clerk — managed all official village records for 7 years
- 1996: Appointed Trustee following the death of Trustee Bill Vogel
- 1996–2021: Village Trustee — 25 consecutive years on the village board
- 2018: Republican nominee for Illinois State Treasurer — ran statewide against incumbent Michael Frerichs
- 2025: Elected Mayor with the largest vote total in Orland Park village history, defeating the Pekau-backed candidate
- 2025: Named to the Edgar Fellows Program — a prestigious leadership development program for Illinois local government officials
First Act as Mayor — Restoring History
One of Dodge's first acts was directing the village board to re-dedicate Village Hall in honor of Mayor Frederick T. Owens — reversing Keith Pekau's 2024 decision to strip Owens' name from the building. The restoration was widely covered as a symbolic reset of the new administration's values.
Education
Governors State University, B.A. in Communications. GSU is located in University Park, Illinois, and serves heavily working-class and adult learners from the south suburbs.
Family
Married to Chris Katsenes, an attorney. Two daughters: one is a registered nurse, the other a schoolteacher. A family of public servants in multiple senses.
Career in Government
Served as an Orland Fire Protection District Trustee 2001–2007 — her first elected position. That OFPD experience gave her a deep understanding of emergency services and district finances before she moved to village politics. In 2022, she defeated former Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman for the Orland Township Republican Committeeman seat — a significant generational upset in local Republican politics.
2025 Status
One of three Pekau-slate holdovers now serving in the minority on the Dodge-majority board. Her seat runs through 2027.
Background & Education
Raised in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the second of six boys in an Irish Catholic family. Attended St. Ignatius College Prep (one of Chicago's elite Jesuit high schools) and John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio.
Career — 40 Years as a CPA
Certified Public Accountant for over 40 years, serving businesses throughout the southwest suburbs. His longevity as a CPA means he has handled the books — and knows the financial dealings — of countless Orland Park-area business owners, developers, and contractors over four decades.
Family & Government Connections
Wife Nancy Wendt Healy serves on the Orland Park Public Library Board of Trustees. The Healys represent the classic pattern of southwest suburban civic engagement: one family member in elected office, another in an appointed board — maximizing a household's civic footprint.
Background
Elected 2023 on Keith Pekau's "People Over Politics" slate. Now serves as one of three holdover minority trustees on the new Dodge-majority board. As part of the Pekau coalition, Milani was aligned with the fiscal conservatism and anti-tax posture of the outgoing administration.
Role & Significance
Elected April 2025 on the Jim Dodge "Orland Park For All" slate. Appointed Mayor Pro Tem by the new board — she serves as Acting Mayor in Jim Dodge's absence, making her second-in-command of village government. Part of the new majority reshaping village leadership after 8 years of Pekau administration.
Role
Elected April 2025 on the Dodge "Orland Park For All" slate. Part of the new majority giving Dodge the votes to implement his agenda, including restoring the Frederick Owens memorial and returning the former village manager.
Role
Elected April 2025 on the Dodge "Orland Park For All" slate. With Lawrence, Lawler, and Leafblad joining Mayor Dodge, the new coalition holds a 4-3 working majority on the village board.
Complete Mayor History — Village of Orland Park 1965–Present
Orland Park has had only five mayors in six decades — remarkable stability in a rapidly changing suburb.
| # | Mayor | In Office | Years | Key Legacy & Background | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mel Doogan | 1965–1985 | 20 yrs | Served during Orland Park's post-expressway explosion. Oversaw massive annexation as the village grew from a farm community into a major suburb following the 1963 opening of I-80/294. Presided over the early commercial and residential development that set the foundation for everything that followed. | Village records |
| 2 | Frederick T. Owens | 1985–1992 | 7 yrs | Died in office 1992. One of the most beloved figures in village history. Village Hall was named in his honor for decades. Keith Pekau controversially removed Owens' name in 2024 after Owens' son opposed a Pekau ally. Mayor Dodge restored the memorial in 2025 as one of his first official acts. | Regional News |
| 3 | Dan McLaughlin | 1993–2017 | 24 yrs | Longest-serving mayor in Orland Park history. Wife Patricia. Four children; daughter Bridget on Library Board. Co-owner of Universal Paving and Park Promotions. Active in Plumbing Contractors Association. Oversaw the development of the Orland Park Mall, Wolf Road corridor, and the village's emergence as a regional retail powerhouse. | Patch archives |
| 4 | Keith Pekau | 2017–2025 | 8 yrs | Born/raised Orland Park. Arizona State BS Aerospace Engineering; Duke Fuqua MBA. Air Force F-15E instructor (1,500+ flight hours, 45 combat sorties over Iraq). Wife Betty; 3 children Lisa, Tim, Amanda; 1 granddaughter. Cut taxes 28%, reduced debt $50M. Ran for Congress 2022. Removed Owens' name from Village Hall 2024. Lost 2025 re-election by historic margin. | Pekau official site |
| 5 | Jim Dodge | 2025–Present | Current | DePaul BA; U of Chicago Booth MBA. McKinsey; Nielsen SVP; AI analytics. Illinois Army National Guard Sergeant. Village Clerk 1989-1996; Trustee 1996-2021. Elected with largest vote total in village history. 2025 Edgar Fellows Program. Restored Owens memorial as first act. | Village of Orland Park |
Former Mayor Deep Profiles
Family
Wife Patricia McLaughlin. Four children. Daughter Bridget McLaughlin currently serves on the Orland Park Public Library Board of Trustees, continuing the family's civic participation. The McLaughlin family name remains one of the most recognized in Orland Park.
Business Interests — How the Mayor Got Rich
Co-owner of Universal Paving, an asphalt and concrete paving company serving the southwest suburbs. Also a principal in Park Promotions. Active member and leader of the Plumbing Contractors Association of Chicago. As a 24-year mayor who controlled every permit, zoning decision, and city contract in Orland Park, McLaughlin built a network of business relationships that were both legal and highly profitable. His construction and paving interests were perfectly positioned to benefit from the village's massive commercial expansion of the 1990s and 2000s.
What He Built
The Orland Park under McLaughlin's watch exploded commercially: the Orland Square Mall expansions, the entire Wolf Road commercial corridor, the 159th Street retail strip, the Lincoln Highway (30) redevelopment, and dozens of major commercial and residential annexations. He left office in 2017 voluntarily after 24 years — a statesman's exit.
Education — Engineer & Business Scholar
Arizona State University, B.S. Aerospace Engineering (1988). Duke University Fuqua School of Business, M.B.A. — awarded the Fuqua Scholar designation, given to the top of the graduating class. Two elite academic credentials from two very different fields.
Military Service — Combat Aviator
Air Force officer. Flew the F-15E Strike Eagle as an Instructor Weapons System Officer — one of the most demanding combat aviation roles in the Air Force. Accumulated over 1,500 flight hours including 45 combat sorties and 150 combat hours over Southern Iraq. Left active duty in 1998 and moved back to Orland Park.
Family
Wife Betty Pekau. Three children: Lisa, Tim, and Amanda Pekau. One granddaughter. All grew up in Orland Park. Pekau coached youth sports in the community for years — youth basketball, baseball, and soccer.
Business Empire — Landscaping & Consulting
In 2003, purchased a tree service company and grew it into GroundsKeeper Landscape Care — a full-service landscaping and tree service company with 25+ seasonal employees. In 2009, founded Fahrenheit Consulting Group specializing in market positioning and growth strategy. Previously worked at Marakon Consulting and L.E.K. Consulting, two prestigious strategy firms. His wealth comes primarily from his two businesses.
Mayoral Record — Cuts & Controversy
Genuine accomplishments: cut village property taxes 28%, reduced village debt by $50 million, reduced operating expenses by 14%. Ran for IL 11th Congressional District in 2022. His downfall: in 2024, Pekau directed removal of Mayor Frederick Owens' name from Village Hall — widely seen as retaliation against Owens' son, who had campaigned against a Pekau ally. The move backfired spectacularly, energizing the Dodge campaign and contributing to Pekau's historic 2025 loss.
Cook County's 17th District covers Orland Park and the surrounding southwest suburbs. The Commissioner controls hundreds of millions in county contracts, votes on the county budget, and shapes policy for 5+ million county residents.
The Business Empire — Morrison Security Corporation
Morrison is the founder and principal of Morrison Security Corporation, one of the largest private security companies in the Midwest. The company reports annual revenue of $211.3 million. Operations span Alsip, Illinois; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Orlando, Florida. Morrison Security contracts with government agencies, municipalities, casinos, and private clients. That creates direct conflicts of interest for a sitting county commissioner who votes on county contracts — a concern raised by ethics watchdogs but never fully investigated.
Campaign Finance Irregularities
In his 2022 re-election campaign, Morrison received $300,000 from a nonprofit organization linked to hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin's political action committee. Additionally, Richard Porter donated approximately $9,000 to Morrison's campaign — exceeding the legal individual contribution limit of $5,600. The over-limit donation was not publicly disciplined.
Why He Is Not Seeking Re-Election
Morrison announced in November 2025 that he would not run in 2026. The announcement came as his company faced a second major sexual assault lawsuit (the Holmes case, filed January 2025, amended September 2025) and sustained negative media coverage. The timing strongly suggests that mounting legal and reputational damage — not just a desire to retire — drove the decision.
Full Investigation Summary
Two separate Morrison Security employees have been accused of sexually exploiting minors. Morrison himself wrote a character reference letter to a judge defending his SVP Anthony Martin — who re-offended 19 days later on a company business trip to Colorado. The full documented timeline is in the investigation section below and in the dedicated Morrison file.
Background & Education
Born February 19, 1968 at Englewood Hospital, Chicago. Raised in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago's South Side. Attended Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School (Beverly). B.A. in Marketing, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. M.B.A., University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business Executive Program, graduated May 2008 — earned her MBA while serving as County Commissioner.
Family
Married to Gerald Gorman. Three sons: Conor, Liam, and Shane Gorman. The family lives in Orland Park.
Business — Gorman Insurance Group
Owner of Gorman Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency. Her business roots in the southwest suburban professional community predate and outlast her political career.
Political Career — Full Timeline
- 2002–2015: Cook County Commissioner, District 17 — 13 years in office
- 2007–2008: Chairman, Cook County Republican Party
- 2015: Resigned county seat to accept private sector opportunity
- 2018: Appointed Executive Director, Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) — managed the agency overseeing 294 miles of Illinois tollways and $900+ million in annual revenue
- 2021: Appointed to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board
- Until 2022: Orland Township Republican Committeeman — defeated by Cynthia Katsenes in 2022
Who Replaced Her & What Happened Next
When Gorman resigned in 2015, Sean Morrison was appointed to fill the seat. Within his first decade, his security company would face two separate employee sex crimes involving minors. Gorman's departure ended a more mainstream era in District 17 Republican politics.
Illinois 19th Senate District and 37th House District cover Orland Park and adjacent south suburbs. Springfield is 200 miles south — but these officials vote on every law, tax, and budget that touches Orland Park residents.
The Hastings Family — The Most Powerful Political Family in the South Suburbs
Michael Hastings was born and raised in Orland Hills, Illinois — one of six children of Kyle R. Hastings Sr. (longest-serving Mayor of Orland Hills; Pace Bus Board) and Mary Hastings (Orland Township Administrator). His sister, Kimberly A. Hastings Cristelli, chairs the Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees. The Hastings family simultaneously controls a municipality (Orland Hills mayor), a township (township administrator), a state senate seat, and a community college board — no other family in the southwest suburbs has this reach.
Education — West Point + MBA + Law Degree
Attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning two Bachelor of Science degrees. Earned an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Earned a J.D. from John Marshall Law School (Chicago, now incorporated into UIC). Three separate graduate/professional degrees is extraordinary by any measure.
Military Service — Bronze Star, Iraq
Served as a Captain in the United States Army. Decorated combat veteran of the Iraq War, receiving the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in a combat zone. The Bronze Star is the Army's fourth-highest military decoration. His service gives him credibility on veterans' issues and defense policy that few legislators can match.
The O'Grady-Hastings Lawsuit — Within-Party War
In 2025, Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady filed a lawsuit against Senator Hastings, alleging Hastings interfered in the 2025 township election to undermine O'Grady's campaign. Both are Democrats. The case is pending in Cook County Circuit Court. It represents the most public intra-party feud in south suburban Democratic politics in decades. Adding a layer of complexity: O'Grady's administrative chief is Mary Hastings — the senator's mother — who serves as Orland Township Administrator.
The Ozinga Dynasty — Four Generations of Concrete
Tim Ozinga is a fourth-generation member of the Ozinga family, founders and leaders of Ozinga Bros., Inc. — one of the largest ready-mix concrete and building materials companies in the Midwest, headquartered in Mokena, Illinois. The company has been delivering concrete since 1928 — nearly 100 years of continuous operations. The Ozinga name is on trucks delivering concrete to virtually every major construction project in Chicagoland. The family expanded into natural gas fueling stations, building materials distribution, and logistics. Their wealth is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars and their philanthropy is extensive throughout the south suburbs.
Education — Two Elite Business Schools
M.B.A., Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University — consistently ranked among the top 3 business schools in the world. Also completed executive education at Harvard Business School. These credentials reflect the Ozinga family's commitment to bringing professional management discipline to their generational industrial empire.
Faith & Church
Active member and leader at Calvary Church of Orland Park, one of the largest evangelical Protestant congregations in the southwest suburbs. His faith is central to his personal identity and has shaped his political positions on education, social services, and religious liberty issues in Springfield.
The Surprise Resignation — 2025
In 2025, Ozinga announced a sudden and unexpected resignation from the Illinois House of Representatives — shocking colleagues on both sides of the aisle who expected him to seek a third term. He had represented the 37th District since 2021. Coverage in The Illinoize and Springfield media described the departure as "surprise." Ozinga gave limited public explanation, stating he wanted to return to focus on the family business. Whether there were other factors — internal party dynamics, personal reasons, or family business demands — was not publicly clarified.
Orland Park falls within Illinois congressional districts covering the southwest suburbs. These federal officials vote on every law that affects Orland Park residents at the national level.
Background — Combat Veteran
Army combat veteran. Lost both legs in Iraq in 2004 when her Black Hawk helicopter was shot down. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, raised across Southeast Asia. Attended George Washington University and University of Hawaii. Former Director, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. Former U.S. Representative (8th District, 2013–2017). Purple Heart recipient. One of the most decorated veterans in Congress. Mother of two daughters born while serving in the Senate.
Background
One of the longest-serving senators in Illinois history. Senate Majority Whip (Democratic Whip) for 17 years — the second most powerful position in the Senate Democratic caucus. Born Springfield, IL. Graduated Georgetown University and Georgetown Law. Represented all Orland Park residents for 28 years. Announced retirement in 2024, did not seek re-election for 2026.
Background
Son of Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon. Succeeded Bobby Rush (served 1993–2023, 30 years) after Rush's retirement. The 1st District covers Chicago's South Side and adjacent south suburbs. Jackson serves on the House Armed Services and Science, Space, and Technology committees.
Orland Township serves 90,000+ residents across Orland Park, Orland Hills, and unincorporated areas. 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, IL 60462 · (708) 403-4222 · Provides senior services, general assistance, mental health, road maintenance, and voter registration.
Education — Three Degrees
Loyola University Chicago: B.S. in Criminal Justice and J.D. (Juris Doctorate). Also holds a Certificate in Executive Management from the FBI National Academy, Quantico Session VI — a highly selective, rigorous program for senior law enforcement executives conducted at the FBI's headquarters training facility in Quantico, Virginia. Only a few hundred law enforcement leaders complete Quantico annually.
Family
Wife Debbie O'Grady. Two sons: Colin O'Grady — student at Indiana University Kelley School of Business; and Connor O'Grady — student at University of Miami Herbert Business School. Both sons are studying business — the apple doesn't fall far from the managing partner tree.
Career — Police Officer to Managing Partner
- Police officer — early career in law enforcement
- Chief of Staff to Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan — one of the most powerful law enforcement positions in the county
- Chair, Orland Fire Protection District Board
- Managing Partner, Peterson Johnson & Murray LLC — Chicago-area law firm handling municipal, insurance defense, and civil litigation
- Special State's Attorney in Cook, LaSalle, Will, and Lake Counties — appointed to prosecute cases where the elected State's Attorney has a conflict of interest
- Special Corporation Counsel, City of Chicago — appointed to handle specific city legal matters
- 2018 Township Supervisor of the Year — Illinois Township Officials Association statewide award
Senior Services Legacy
Under O'Grady, Orland Township became one of the most service-rich townships in Illinois. He expanded: $3 senior van transportation, the Crashy's Closet pet pantry for low-income pet owners, SHIP Medicare counseling, RTA Senior Reduced Fare Permits, senior dances, defensive driving classes, food pantry, and emergency financial assistance. The township serves as a genuine social safety net for thousands of the area's most vulnerable residents.
The O'Grady v. Hastings Lawsuit & Judge's Race — 2025
In 2025, O'Grady filed a lawsuit against State Senator Michael Hastings alleging Hastings interfered in the 2025 township election to undermine O'Grady's re-election campaign. Both are Democrats. O'Grady has also simultaneously filed as a candidate for Cook County Circuit Court Judge — suggesting he may be positioning for an exit from the Township Supervisor role into the judiciary regardless of the lawsuit's outcome. The dual moves make O'Grady one of the most politically dynamic figures in the south suburbs in 2025.
The Hastings Family — Orland Hills & Township Government
Background
Mayor of Orland Hills, Illinois — the small village immediately adjacent to Orland Park. Has served longer than any other mayor in Orland Hills history, making him a permanent fixture of local governance. Also serves on the Pace Suburban Bus Board, giving him influence over regional transportation policy across the south and southwest suburbs. Father of six children including State Senator Michael Hastings and Moraine Valley board chair Kimberly Hastings Cristelli.
Family Government Footprint
Married to Mary Hastings (Orland Township Administrator). The Hastings marriage is essentially a partnership in public service spanning two separate governmental entities — the Village of Orland Hills and Orland Township.
Background & Unique Position
Township Administrator for Orland Township — the senior administrative staff member who manages day-to-day township operations under the elected Supervisor (Paul O'Grady). Her position creates a politically complex situation: her son, State Senator Michael Hastings, is currently in active litigation with her boss, Supervisor O'Grady. Mary Hastings manages the operations of the same township whose elected supervisor is suing her son.
Background & Power
Chairs the Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees in Palos Hills — one of the largest community colleges in Illinois, serving over 20,000+ students annually and controlling a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars. As Board Chair, Cristelli is responsible for overseeing the institution that provides post-secondary education to a massive slice of the southwest suburban workforce. Her role spans district-wide hiring, curriculum, facilities, and budgeting.
Family Position
Daughter of Kyle Hastings Sr. (Orland Hills mayor) and Mary Hastings (Orland Township Administrator). Sister of State Senator Michael Hastings. The third member of the Hastings family to simultaneously hold a major governmental position — a concentration of family influence that has no parallel in the south suburbs.
The OFPD is one of the busiest fire and emergency services districts in the south suburbs, serving Orland Park, Orland Hills, and surrounding areas. The board consists of 5 locally elected trustees serving 6-year terms. orlandfire.org
Historic Achievement
Elected as the first woman Board President in Orland Fire Protection District history — a milestone for an organization that has existed for decades and been led exclusively by men. Sworn into her second term in 2025 while simultaneously being elected to the presidency. Her election breaks a long tradition of male-only OFPD leadership.
Background
Former OFPD Commissioner who returned to the board as an elected Trustee in 2023. His experience as a previous commissioner gives him deep institutional knowledge of the district's personnel, infrastructure, budget, and operational history. Elected to a full 6-year term running through 2029.
Background
Business entrepreneur and former Palos Heights Police Department Community Service Officer — worked alongside first responders for many years before moving into business. Her experience embedded with law enforcement gives her practical knowledge of what first responders need that few civilian board members possess. Elected to a 2-year term in 2025.
Background
Incumbent Trustee continuing service through 2025 and beyond. One of two incumbents who remained on the five-member board through the 2025 election cycle, providing institutional continuity during the transition to new board leadership under President Beth Damas Kaspar.
Background
Second incumbent Trustee continuing service on the board. Alongside Tina Zekich, Greenfield provides the institutional memory and ongoing oversight continuity that keeps operations stable while new members come up to speed.
Two school districts govern K-12 public education in Orland Park. District 135 (K-8) and District 230 (high schools: Carl Sandburg, Andrew, Shepard) together control hundreds of millions in annual budgets and shape the education of thousands of local children.
Orland School District 135 — Board of Education
District 135 operates 9 elementary schools and 3 junior high schools serving approximately 7,000 students. orland135.org
Background — Healthcare & Education
Former home health care professional with over 10 years of experience in wound care, physical therapy support, and hemodialysis. Her clinical background brings an unusual perspective to school board governance — particularly on issues related to student health, special education services, and the physical and developmental needs of children with disabilities. Returned to the board through the 2025 election cycle.
Background
Elected April 2025. Represents the Jerling Junior High community on the District 135 board. One of three new members who replaced outgoing long-serving board veterans Bax, Jobb, and Tutor in the 2025 sweep that brought new majority leadership to the district.
Background
Elected April 2025. Represents the Century Junior High area of the district. Part of the wave of new community members who replaced the outgoing board in 2025, bringing fresh perspectives to curriculum, budgeting, and district leadership challenges.
Background
Elected April 2025 as part of the new majority incoming class. Represents the growing diversity of Orland Park's student and resident population. Her election to the board reflects significant demographic shifts in the district's families since the early 2000s.
Consolidated High School District 230 — Board of Education
District 230 operates Carl Sandburg High School (Orland Park), Victor J. Andrew High School (Tinley Park), and Alan B. Shepard High School (Palos Heights). Total enrollment approximately 7,000 students. d230.org
Background
Elected to the District 230 Board in 2013. Served as Board President — the chair of the governing body overseeing three major high schools. Now in his second decade on the board, making him the longest-serving current member. His tenure spans major changes: curriculum updates, common core controversies, pandemic response, facilities projects, and demographic shifts in all three school communities.
Background — Labor Voice on Education Board
Orland Park resident and President of Carpenters Local 1027, affiliated with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America — representing skilled carpenters throughout the southwest suburbs. His union presidency makes him a rare labor voice on a school board typically dominated by business owners, professionals, and managers. The labor perspective on school funding, teacher contracts, and facilities construction brings a different set of priorities to district governance.
Background — Graduate of the Schools She Governs
Carl Sandburg High School graduate — a genuine product of the District 230 system she now helps govern. Appointed to the board in 2022. Her doctoral degree combined with alumni status gives her a unique vantage point: she experienced the district as a student and now oversees it as a governing board member. This insider-outsider combination is unusual and valuable in school governance.
Background
Elected to a 4-year term in the April 2025 consolidated election. Long-time Orland Park resident bringing community perspective to the board overseeing three major south suburban high schools. Joins the board as it navigates the challenges of post-pandemic enrollment patterns, facilities aging, and evolving curriculum demands.
Some families don't just vote — they govern. These are the multigenerational political families whose influence has shaped Orland Park and the south suburbs for decades.
👑 The Hastings Family of Orland Hills — The Most Powerful Political Family in the South Suburbs
Kyle Hastings Sr. and Mary Hastings raised six children, at least three of whom simultaneously hold major governmental positions. The family's combined reach spans four separate governmental bodies:
- Kyle R. Hastings Sr. — Longest-serving Mayor, Village of Orland Hills · Pace Suburban Bus Board Member
- Mary Hastings — Administrator, Orland Township (reports to Supervisor O'Grady, who is suing her son)
- Michael E. Hastings — Illinois State Senator, 19th District · West Point graduate · Bronze Star · Iraq veteran · JD + MBA
- Kimberly A. Hastings Cristelli — Board Chair, Moraine Valley Community College (20,000+ students, hundreds of millions in budget)
- Two additional siblings hold positions in local government and civic organizations (details being researched)
The Hastings family simultaneously controls: a municipal government (Orland Hills mayor), a township's administrative staff (Orland Township administrator), a state senate seat (IL-19), and a community college board (Moraine Valley). No other family in the southwest suburbs approaches this concentration of government power. And the ongoing O'Grady v. Hastings lawsuit means this family is now in conflict with the very township Mary Hastings administers.
🏗️ The Ozinga Family — Four Generations of Concrete and Community
Founded in 1928 by Martin Ozinga Sr. in Lansing, Illinois, Ozinga Bros., Inc. has been delivering ready-mix concrete across Chicagoland for nearly a century. The company expanded from a single truck to hundreds of vehicles, and diversified into compressed natural gas fueling stations, building materials, and logistics. Their Mokena headquarters anchors a business empire built on one of the most essential construction materials in existence — every bridge, highway, building, and driveway built in the south suburbs likely contains Ozinga concrete.
- Tim Ozinga (4th generation) — Kellogg MBA, Harvard Business School executive education, IL State Representative 2021–2025 (resigned unexpectedly), active at Calvary Church of Orland Park
- Family philanthropy extends to education, religious organizations, and local nonprofits throughout the south suburbs
- Net worth estimated in the hundreds of millions — one of the most financially powerful families in the region
🏛️ The McLaughlin Legacy — 24 Years of Mayoral Influence (1993–2017)
Dan McLaughlin's quarter-century as mayor created a web of business relationships, political appointments, and civic connections that still shape Orland Park today. His family's civic involvement continues through daughter Bridget McLaughlin on the Orland Park Public Library Board. McLaughlin's business partnership in Universal Paving and leadership in the Plumbing Contractors Association reflect the classic pattern of a small-city mayor building parallel economic interests — entirely legal, entirely common in Illinois politics, and worth understanding when analyzing how decisions got made in the village during his tenure. His voluntary departure in 2017 after 24 years was the act of a politician who left on his own terms — a rarity in Illinois politics.
🔗 The Government Connection Network — How Everyone Knows Everyone
In Orland Park, the governing class is small and deeply interconnected. Nancy Wendt Healy (Village Trustee Healy's wife) is on the Library Board. Bridget McLaughlin (former Mayor McLaughlin's daughter) is on the Library Board. Cynthia Katsenes served on the OFPD Board before joining the Village Board. Paul O'Grady chaired the OFPD Board before becoming Township Supervisor. Mary Hastings administers the township whose supervisor is suing her son the state senator. Liz Gorman ran the county seat, then the tollway, then the RTA board — three consecutive six- or seven-figure government positions. This is not corruption — it is the normal operational reality of southwest suburban civic life. Understanding it is essential to understanding how decisions get made.
Public accountability requires documenting government misconduct and official controversies. All information below is drawn from public court records, law enforcement arrest records, and credible news reporting. Published under Illinois FOIA Act, 5 ILCS 140.
🔴 Morrison Security Corporation — Full Timeline: Two Employees, Two Child Sex Cases
The following is documented from Orland Park Police Department arrest records, Colorado law enforcement records, Cook County Circuit Court public records, the Illinois Sex Offender Registry, and the civil lawsuit filed January 30, 2025 (amended September 5, 2025). All events described below are a matter of public record.
— CASE 1: Anthony Martin, Senior Vice President of Morrison Security —
— CASE 2: Andrew Holmes, Morrison Security Investigator —
Sources: SW Regional Publishing, 9/15/2025 · Cook County Circuit Court public records · OPPD arrest records · Colorado law enforcement records · Illinois Sex Offender Registry (issor.isp.illinois.gov)
Complete Morrison Investigation File with Primary Source Documentation →
🏛️ O'Grady v. Hastings — Intra-Party Democratic War (2025)
Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady (D) filed suit in 2025 against State Senator Michael Hastings (D), alleging Hastings illegally interfered in the 2025 township election to undermine O'Grady's campaign. Both are Democrats who represent the same constituents. The case is pending in Cook County Circuit Court and is being watched closely across the south suburbs as a test of intra-party political accountability.
The complexity deepens: O'Grady's Township Administrator is Mary Hastings — the senator's mother. She manages the township whose elected supervisor is suing her son. This family dynamic within the same government building is extraordinary.
O'Grady's next move: He has simultaneously filed as a candidate for Cook County Circuit Court Judge, suggesting an exit strategy from the township regardless of the lawsuit's outcome. If he wins a judgeship, he would join the 22nd largest court system in the United States.
🏛️ The Erasure & Restoration of Mayor Frederick Owens
In 2024, Mayor Keith Pekau directed the removal of Mayor Frederick T. Owens' name from Orland Park Village Hall, where it had been displayed in the late mayor's honor since Owens died in office in 1992. Owens had served from 1985–1992 and was one of the most beloved figures in village history.
The timing was not accidental: Owens' son had actively campaigned against a candidate supported by Pekau in a recent election. The removal of the dead mayor's name from a public building — as apparent retaliation against his living son — was widely seen as petty, vindictive, and an abuse of mayoral prerogative. Critics called it "erasing history for political revenge."
The controversy became a rallying point for the Dodge campaign. After Dodge's landslide win in April 2025, one of the new board's first official acts was to vote to restore the Owens memorial and re-dedicate Village Hall in the late mayor's name. The restoration was covered by multiple news outlets as a signal of a new tone in Orland Park government.