Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge used his first State-of-the-Village address Tuesday to signal a shift toward collaboration and economic development, marking an official break from the contentious transition that followed his defeat of former Mayor Keith Pekow last April.
Speaking before an overflow crowd of more than 250 at the Civic Center, Dodge outlined three guiding principles — civility, compromise and compassion — that he said would shape his administration. He highlighted economic development and infrastructure as immediate priorities, pointing to a $70 million Amazon retail prototype as a major revenue driver.
A major highlight of his first year has been the progress of a large-scale Amazon retail prototype – a $70 million investment approved for 159th Street and LaGrange Road – which is expected to become a significant revenue driver.
Dodge said Orland Park is “really a tale of two cities (thank you Charles Dickens).”
“A lot of people (who live) outside the village when they hear ‘Orland Park’ they think mall,” Dodge said. “And we do have a great mall here and it’s the sales tax we receive from the mall that allows us to do some incredible things, like having (66) great parks and an incredible police department.
“But we also have some 60,000 people who call this village home and we need to make sure our focus is on them and their needs. We’ve also got great schools, roads and other amenities.”
Dodge also emphasized a shift toward collaboration, seeking to “deepen relations” with local school districts, libraries and neighboring towns. The narrative of Dodge’s speech wasn’t just about spreadsheets, but rather forging a “New Day” for the southwest suburban giant.
Trustee Joanna Leafblad praised Dodge for his conciliatory tone in working with parties on both sides of the political spectrum.
“It’s time to be more collaborative with businesses, residents and local agencies,” she said. “The mayor is doing just that. He’s open to gathering and sharing various points of view and interests.
“We can get more done sharing ideas and working together as a community and Mayor Dodge understands that,” she said.
Now it’s up to Dodge to make sure that Orland Park continues to be a “village that works with its schools, its libraries and its neighbors – a community that is open for business and focused on safety on every road and in every neighborhood.”
