Orland Park, IL (October 9, 2025) – The Village of Orland Park has approved a first-of-its-kind Vendor/Village Official Business Relationship Disclosure Ordinance.  This ordinance was unanimously approved at the October 6, 2026, Village Board meeting, strengthening the Village’s ethics policy to limit unethical business relationships between elected officials, senior staff, and entities conducting business with the Village. The updated ordinance, which exceeds Illinois state standards for ethics compliance, reinforces the Village’s commitment to integrity, accountability, and public trust in all governmental actions.

For vendors, the new ordinance requires vendors to disclose:

1. Business relationship(s) with any current Village official or reasonably expects such a relationship in the following twelve months that entitled the official to compensation in excess of $7,500 annually.
2. Business relationship(s) with any former Village official in the past ten (10) years that entitled the former official to compensation in excess of $7,500 annually.

For officials, the new ordinance requires officials to disclose:

1. Any business relationship with a vendor within the preceding ten years or reasonably expects such a relationship in the following twelve months where such relationship entitled the official to compensation in excess of $7,500 annually.

In the past, elected officials were required to complete a form disclosing any relationship with a vendor doing business with the Village, a process that was not consistently followed. The new ordinance closes that gap by making disclosure and transparency requirements both mandatory and enforceable, ensuring all officials and employees are held to the same high ethical standard. The goal is not to burden vendors and officials, nor to discourage working relationships between them. Rather, this ordinance fosters transparency before the public.

"This update makes it absolutely clear Orland Park officials and senior staff must operate with complete transparency," said Mayor Jim Dodge. "Residents deserve to know Village decisions are based solely on what is best for the community, not personal interests or relationships."

Mayor Dodge emphasized the new ordinance strengthens Orland Park’s ethics policies beyond those currently required by State law. "We’re committed to ensuring every disclosure is properly completed, verified, and accessible as part of the public record. Our residents have every right to expect accountability," Dodge said.

"Our goal is to make sure the business of the Village remains the business of the people - open, honest, and free from any appearance of impropriety," Dodge added. "This ordinance reaffirms that commitment."

The new disclosure ordinance takes effect immediately and applies to all elected officials and senior Village staff.

####