They say tragedies bring out the best, and worst, in people. And the workers at Lowe’s proved that.
Lowe’s employees fanned out across Orland Park after two tornadoes hit the village within eight weeks, handing out 300 buckets of cleaning supplies and cases of water.
On Monday, the village board honored the retailer’s effort with a Community Pride Award for Humanitarian Efforts.
“Orland is our community and we strive to be great neighbors,” said store manager Peggy Tatro. “We had a team of employees out there passing out supplies and helping where it was needed.”
The retailer was honored Monday night by the village board when Mayor Jim Dodge presented Tatro with the village’s Community Pride Award for Humanitarian Efforts.
Tatro humbly accepted the award on behalf of the employees and thanked the village. “Orland is our community,” she said. “We are here to help in any way we can.”
Dodge said storm‑related cleanup continues zone‑by‑zone with supplemental contracted crews. Public Works has divided the village into zones and once a zone is complete, it is marked on the village’s website.
Residents may also use Waste Management’s regular yard waste pickup on their scheduled day. Yard waste must be placed in Kraft paper bags. Brush and branches must be cut into 4-foot lengths and bundled with string or twine. Each bundle must not exceed 50 pounds.
Dodge also warned about door-to-door solicitors. He said such businesses, including roofing solicitors, must be licensed by the Orland Park Police Department. Licensed solicitors are required to show their village permit upon request. Those without an Orland Park permit will be ticketed.
Using an unregistered vendor can lead to scams, fraud or additional damage to your home. If you are approached by an unregistered solicitor, call the Orland Park Police non-emergency line: (708) 349-4111. For emergencies or safety threats, call 9-1-1.
Exterior repairs (including roofs) require an Orland Park building permit. Learn more on the village website or call Development Services at (708) 403-5300. Verify a roofer’s state license at the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Last week, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a disaster proclamation for Cook County in response to storms that hit the region on August 11.
The county experienced a significant storm event, widespread severe straight-line winds, localized flooding, downed trees and power lines, road closures, structural damage, transportation disruptions and extensive utility outages across numerous areas. The National Weather Service confirmed three EF-1 tornados and destructive straight-line winds in Tinley Park, Orland Park, Country Club Hills, Homewood, Flossmoor, Glenwood, Lansing and other south suburban municipalities.
By signing this proclamation, the county can pursue all available resources to assist communities and residents in their recovery efforts.
“I’ve seen firsthand the significant challenges Cook County communities are facing in the wake of this week’s severe weather, and we will not leave them to navigate this recovery alone,” said Preckwinkle, who toured Orland Park last week. “Cook County is on the ground, working shoulder to shoulder with municipalities and our partners to assess damage, clear debris, coordinate critical resources and respond to urgent needs. We are committed to staying engaged for as long as it takes to help residents, businesses and neighborhoods recover, rebuild and move forward.”
Cook County and EMRS are encouraging impacted residents to fill out the Resident Damage Survey online to report damages from this storm system by August 24. EMRS is working alongside state partners to collect and analyze all data to help determine what assistance and resources may be available to impacted residents.
