A Cook County judge has ordered former Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau to take down confidential village records he posted online, ruling the disclosures could harm the suburb’s legal and financial interests.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland issued a temporary restraining order on August 14 requiring Pekau to immediately remove the documents, which he obtained while in office, and to stop sharing any other nonpublic information about the village.
The order follows an emergency lawsuit the village filed after Pekau, who lost re-election in April 2025, published blog and social media posts revealing internal documents, details about ongoing litigation, and information about village employees. Village attorneys said the disclosures violate privacy laws, could weaken the village’s position in active federal lawsuits, and potentially increase taxpayer liability.
Before going to court, the village asked Pekau to remove the records voluntarily. He refused, posting on social media, “I will not be silenced.”
“This reckless and irresponsible behavior is not just disappointing, it is potentially damaging to every taxpayer in Orland Park,” Mayor Jim Dodge said. “We are working to protect the public interest, not just in terms of transparency, but also in safeguarding the legal and financial integrity of the Village.”
Dodge added that protecting the village’s legal position “must remain a top priority.” He said the court’s decision affirms “sensitive legal matters should be handled responsibly, not politicized online.”
Village Attorney Michael Stillman said the restraining order “is an important step in preventing further harm” and that Pekau’s actions “may have jeopardized the Village in pending litigation.”
During the hearing, Ancel Glink attorneys Keri-Lyn Krafthefer and Tom DiCianni argued Pekau violated his oath of office, the village code, and state law requiring former officials to turn over all records to their successors. Krafthefer said transparency laws still allow some information to remain confidential.
“It’s hard to fathom why Mr. Pekau would intentionally publicize confidential information to harm the Village unless he is simply doing so to be vindictive,” Krafthefer said.
The restraining order bars Pekau from sharing legal memos, settlement talks, personnel files, and attorney-client communications. The judge denied a request to force Pekau to list all the places he posted the records after the village could not identify them. A decision on whether he must return any remaining records will come during an Oct. 17 hearing on the village’s request for a permanent injunction.
Village officials said they remain committed to open and responsible governance and will take legal action if necessary to protect residents’ interests.