Village Board Won't Give Bridge Teen Center a Break on Permit Fees

Mayor shuffles committee leadership, independent audit approved and more at Monday night's village board meeting.

The Orland Park Village Board of Trustees decided not to waive the permit fees for the recent expansion of the Bridge Teen Center, an afterschool hangout for teenagers and their parents, despite the urging of one of its own trustees. The teen center was constructed in 2010 and expanded in 2011 with donated materials and volunteer labor. Several months ago, Bridge co-founders Rob and Priscilla Steinmetz wrote a letter to the village asking that the most recent building permit fees—totaling $1,232—be waived. On Monday, Rob Steinmetz noted that a contractor donated hundreds of hours of his own time to help oversee both projects. The contractor even paid $300 to become licensed in Orland Park, and the teen center was asking the board for a …

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Andrea Williams

2:50 pm on Tuesday, June 7, 2011

No surprise here. I'm sure the $1200 will be spent well...maybe on a plaque with McLaughlin's name on it to be showcased somewhere in the Metra Triangle. Kudos to Mr. Schussler for trying...thanks.   more ›

Orland Election Log

UPDATE: Julie Ann Craig Calls Political Accusations 'Sour Grapes,' Says She Will Complete Questionnaire

Village board candidate Rich Kelly said non-incumbents had a hard road and wound up splitting votes. Judges at polling stations endured a slow, hungry Election Day.

Welcome to the Orland Park Patch 2011 Election Log, our main hub for all things election. From new developments to events, announcements and positions taken on issues by the candidates, we’ll be reporting up to April 5 and beyond. Bookmark the link and check in. Offer comments. And let us know if we should be aware of something. For more details about candidates, registering and polling locations, visit the 2011 Orland Park Patch Election Central database. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ April 12 10:44 a.m. Craig Reaches Out: Julie Ann Craig says she's pleased with Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman's endorsement but dismisses the charge of bringing a political element to the Orland Park Public Library Board. "When people lose, there'…

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Orland Park to State: Stop Cutting Local Income Tax Share

Orland Park village trustees heard a somber prediction from the Illinois Municipal League, courtesy of the village manager, that the state government plans to take more income tax.

In the midst of election din, disagreements between candidates took a backseat Monday night as Orland Park trustees learned they may have less state money to work with next year. Springfield has only begun its budget talks for fiscal year 2011-12, but already rumors are fluttering north that greater cuts in local funding will be needed to help pull the state out of the red. The Illinois Senate Republican Caucus suggests cutting $300 million, or a five percent, from the local share of state-collected income tax. If so, Orland Park could lose about $1.25 million, all of which “provide fundamental services that promote the health and safety of the public, pave roads, (and) clean streets,” according to the Illinois Municipal League (IML), …

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Candidates Question Candidates During Village Board Forum

During Orland Township's candidate forum for Orland Park Village Board, the hopefuls got to grill each other on the issues.

Orland Township's candidates forum for the people vying for Orland Park Village Board had a slight twist on the usual format. Candidates were open to put each other to task on several issues, by asking each other specific questions.

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UPDATED: Village to State: Leave TIFs to Us

Orland Park is against new state legislation that would hand over control aspects of tax increment finance districts to the state government.

Updated at 12:15 p.m.: There are at least 19 bills that proposes changes to TIF districts floating amongst the Illinois General Assembly. A pdf document compiled by the Illinois Tax Increment Association and detailing each of those bills has been uploaded. Who knows best on development matters, state or local officials? Village Manager Paul Grimes told trustees on Monday that the Illinois General Assembly is considering several bills that would limit the uses of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, “one of the few remaining tools that allow municipalities to be part of a pro-active redevelopment effort.” Notably, according to a prepared statement by village staff, the legislation could restrict the amount of money local governments …

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Orland Park Pays Blizzard Helpers, Approves Car Sticker Price Increases and More

Legislative highlights from the Orland Park Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 21.

Updated at 10:15 a.m.: Public Works Director Edward Wilmes said Tuesday he spent roughly $125,000 on the total cost of snow clean, including contractors, earlier this month. Blizzard cleanup in Orland Park may have been swift, but it wasn't cheap. To keep the streets open, although most but not all businesses were closed, the village’s public works department rented 12 pieces of heavy equipment and additional hands from three companies, according to a prepared statement by village staff. One loader each was provided from Crowley-Sheppard Asphalt, of Chicago Ridge, and J.S. Alberico Construction Company, of Joliet, for a combined $6,218, including labor during the storm. Ten loaders and multiple operators, which were used to keep plowing …

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