FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Village of Orland Park Refutes Misinformation Published on Patch

Orland Park, IL (November 25, 2024) – The Village of Orland Park strongly refutes misleading and inaccurate statements published in a November 22, 2024, article authored by Darold Barnum on Patch Media’s Neighbor News section. The Village seeks to clarify these claims to provide residents with accurate information and uphold transparency.

Setting the Record Straight

Claim: The Village has not filed its audit for Fiscal Year 2022.
Fact: Contrary to the article’s claim, the Village of Orland Park has fully complied with all financial reporting requirements for Fiscal Year 2022. These reports are publicly accessible and can be independently verified via the State Comptroller’s Office.

Claim: The Village’s 2021 and 2022 crime data were not submitted in the correct format.
Fact: The Village fully complies with State law by submitting all crime reports to the Illinois State Police, which oversees the process of forwarding this data to the FBI. Crime data submissions for 2021 and 2022 can be verified on the Illinois State Police website. Any reporting issues at the federal level are beyond the Village's control and should be addressed with the Illinois State Police.

Claim: The Centennial Park West project advanced with minimal public involvement.
Fact: The Centennial Park West project adhered to all public noticing requirements, and the Village actively sought community input through multiple channels. Examples of public engagement include:

·  May 3, 2021: Design awarded to Wight and Company at a public Village Board meeting.

·  August 12, 2021: Meetings with Boys and Girls OYA, OP Soccer Club, Girls Sparks, and Chicago Fire.

·  August 24, 2021: Recreation Advisory Board meeting.

·  August 30, 2021: Community in-person session.

·  September 1, 2021: Community Zoom session.

·  September 20, 2021: Parks Master Plan update discussed at a Village Board meeting.

·  April 5, 2022: Recreation Advisory Board meeting.

·  November 7, 2022: Traffic studies for the Parks Master Plan approved.

·  January 16, 2023: Village Board of Trustees approved RFP 22-066 for Schussler Park & Centennial Park West Construction Engineer Services. (View Here)

·  March 7, 2023: Village Plan Commission approved a Special Use Permit for the project. (View Here)

·  April 17, 2023: Village Board approved a contract for the Centennial Park West Concert Series stage, sound, lights, and labor. (View Here)

Public notices and updates were shared via the Village website, social media platforms, and email newsletters, ensuring accessibility and transparency throughout the process.

Commitment to Transparency

Ensuring factual accuracy is critical to fostering public trust. The Village of Orland Park values transparency and public engagement and regrets the inaccuracies that have been disseminated in the recent Patch article. Despite providing Patch Media with verifiable evidence, the platform has declined to update or correct the article. However, the Village remains committed to providing residents with accurate, verifiable information through its official channels.

The Village has undertaken the following measures to ensure transparency and build trust with its residents:

• Regularly publishing financial and operational updates on the Village website.
• Providing accessible crime data through the Illinois State Police website.
• Hosting public meetings to discuss capital projects and other initiatives, with opportunities for residents to provide input.

Looking Ahead

Although Patch Media has chosen not to update the article, the Village of Orland Park continues to prioritize accountability and transparent communication. We encourage residents to contact the Village directly with any questions or concerns to ensure they receive factual, reliable information.

The Village is dedicated to serving its residents with integrity and invites all interested parties to engage in constructive dialogue to strengthen our community.

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