Trustee Joanna M. Liotine Leafblad

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day, Orland Park! Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday!

09/04/2026

MAYOR DODGE’S ROAD CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE

Neighbors,
I want to ensure our residents stay fully informed on the progress of the many roadway and infrastructure improvements happening throughout Orland Park. The Village continues to work in strong coordination with IDOT, Cook County, utility partners and private sector developers. This collaboration allows us to align construction timelines, reduce disruptions and maximize efficiencies across multiple corridors.

In Orland Park, the Village maintains your local neighborhood streets, while major roads are managed by the state or Cook County. State agencies handle roads like LaGrange Road, 159th Street, 143rd Street west of LaGrange and Wolf Road south of 143rd Street, while Cook County oversees 80th, 104th,108th Avenues and Will Cook Road.

While construction can be frustrating at times, each project plays a vital role in improving traffic flow, strengthening regional connectivity, modernizing aging infrastructure and supporting new economic development. These improvements ensure Orland Park remains a safe, accessible and thriving community for generations to come. Thank you for your patience.
Below is a snapshot of the major 2026 projects with estimated timelines. These timelines are weather dependent.

Village Road Program
• Catalina East & surrounding areas
Touch-up work and lawn restoration is estimated to be completed by Sept. 7. The top layer of smooth asphalt is estimated to be paved by Sept. 23, coordinated around school schedules.
• Ravinia Avenue Culvert Replacement (near Darvin Furniture)
Ravinia Avenue is closed near Darvin Furniture until approximately Sept. 18 so crews can replace an underground creek culvert.
• Orland Brook Drive (Wheeler Avenue to 159th Street)
Crews are currently replacing concrete along this stretch. It is estimated that complete full road rebuilding, including new asphalt, curbs, sidewalks and wheelchair-accessible ramps will be completed by Sept. 23.
• West Avenue (143rd Street → 151st Roundabout)/El Cameno Re’al Drive/80th Ave. –
Work is scheduled to begin mid-September and is estimated to be completed by Oct. 23. Crews will scrape off old asphalt, lay down a new road surface, and repair curbs, sidewalks, and wheelchair-accessible ramps.

Cook County Projects
• 104th Avenue (167th Street → 179th Street) – Substantially completed. Minor items remain.
Improvements included pavement resurfacing, culvert repairs, traffic signal upgrades and new wheelchair-accessible sidewalk ramps.
• 151st Street (Will Cook Road → Wolf Road) – Completed.
Project complete. Work included resurfacing the road and upgrading sidewalk ramps for wheelchair accessibility.
• 153rd Street (Wolf Road → West Avenue)
Crews still need to paint permanent lane lines, install pavement reflectors, repair underground traffic signal sensors and complete minor touch-ups. Major work is expected to wrap up by Oct. 30.
• 80th Avenue (151st Street → 170th Street)
Sealing pavement seams and repairing underground traffic sensors will continue through Sept. 11 before work shifts to repairing 75 manholes. Barricades and lane closures will be removed in sections as each manhole is finished, with all work expected to wrap up by Oct. 2.
• Wolf Road (North of 143rd Street)
Much of the road work is complete except near 143rd Street where crews still need to repair top-layer pavement flaws, lane line reflectors, final striping and final touch-up items. Substantial completion date is Oct. 30.
• 108th Ave. (143rd Street → 153rd Street)/179th (Wolf Road → La Grange Road)
This project is out for bid, with work expected to wrap up by Nov. 1. Work includes patching damaged asphalt at various locations.

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Projects
• Southwest Highway (Will Cook Road → Wolf Road) - Completed
Project complete. Work included repaving the road with a fresh layer of asphalt and installing wheelchair-accessible sidewalk ramps.
• Southwest Highway (131st Street → 135th Street)
Work has been delayed as IDOT, through its contractor and consultants, works through unforeseen geotechnical issues. The Village is working with IDOT to provide an updated schedule that can be shared with the public. More to follow.
• John Humphrey Drive & 143rd Street Intersection
Ongoing coordination continues with utility partners regarding relocation and staging. Some utilities have been relocated and sheet pile installation is expected to start in the coming weeks.
Costco Roundabout & Ravinia Avenue Extension
Construction of the new full-size roundabout serving Costco and the surrounding commercial corridor is underway, with detours and lane shifts expected. Work includes upgraded access, added lanes, and improved traffic flow. Completion is anticipated later this year.
This project is part of a broader corridor improvement plan, including the extension of Ravinia Avenue to 161st Street. Significant progress continues on this extension, which will add five lanes, a new traffic signal at 161st Street, dual left turn lanes, upgraded truck access and roadway improvements supporting Amazon Retail, Pulte Homes and Costco. Construction is anticipated in 2026.

Looking Ahead to Next Year
Beginning next construction season, the following two major projects will be launched, in addition to other road and infrastructure projects:

1. 143rd Street at Southwest Highway – Expansion Project Begins
Widening of 143rd Street to five lanes from Southwest Highway to West Avenue is fully funded and anticipated for 2027–2028. Improvements include new signals, an improved railroad crossing, a multi use path, full intersection upgrades and aging watermain replacement. This regional, multi agency project will officially move into construction, advancing long-planned widening and corridor improvements.

2. 153rd Street & Ravinia Avenue – Intersection / Roundabout Improvement
Work begins next year to build a roundabout and upgrade this intersection to cut down delays and keep pedestrians safe.

We will continue providing updates as schedules shift due to weather, permitting, funding and contractor availability. Thank you for your patience as we invest in safer, more reliable roads and infrastructure throughout the Village.

09/03/2026

Did your home or business receive damage from one of the recent storms? Please complete the Storm Damage Survey at orlandpark.org/StormSurvey. Even if you have already reported damage to your insurance company, completing the survey helps local officials document the extent of storm damage across Orland Park and identify community needs. Please note: This survey is not an application for financial assistance and does not replace contacting your insurance company.

In addition to completing the Storm Damage Survey, you can still receive help through low-interest SBA Disaster Loans. These low-interest federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are now available. Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

In-Person SBA Help: Village of Hazel Crest (3601 W. 183rd St., Hazel Crest, IL 60429)
SBA Center Hours: Monday – Friday (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

To make an appointment (walk-ins welcome) visit appointment.sba.gov.

Please note: joint teams from IEMA, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Will County EMA will be visiting areas impacted by the August 11 storm.

You may see team members going door-to-door as they document storm damage throughout Will County. The information collected helps officials evaluate the extent of the disaster and determine whether federal assistance may be available.

Remember:
- Teams will have official ID.
- There is no charge for an assessment.
- Teams will remain outside and will not enter homes or businesses.

09/01/2026

Do you have a few hours to spare? Why not spend them making a difference! We are seeking volunteers to help stuff the Great Pumpkin Party goodie bags on September 23-24. Sign up for this or other volunteer opportunities at orlandpark.org/volform

09/01/2026

Join the Orland Park Veterans Advisory Board at the Orland Hills Walmart (9265 159th St.) on Saturday, September 5 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. for a military care package event! Drop off care package items from the approved list or donate postage to send packages overseas to active-duty troops.

For more information, contact the Veterans Advisory Board at [email protected]

08/29/2026

The ideas being spread on social media about CPW closing are deliberately misleading. CPW is not closing. It never was.

What is taking place is a professional assessment to determine how to utilize this exclusively outdoor venue. In the Midwest, exclusively outdoor venues have limited use: the winters and seasonal rains, especially the severe weather we experienced this year cause events to be cancelled or rescheduled. We do not schedule outdoor concerts with lawn seats during Chicago area winters.

Revisiting what should have been considered at the outset: the inclusion of restrooms, distance from the parking lot, much needed shelter, and the imposition on the neighboring subdivision are just a few factors to be considered.

So, we are taking the time to learn from the experts how we can take a structure built with taxpayer dollars and make the most and best use of it for the benefit of residents who footed the bill. A debt we will be paying back for many years to come. Good sense is not political, but it is key to the future of Orland Park. It is the least we can do for the people we work for: the residents of Orland Park.

We want to hear from you! The Village of Orland Park has engaged Keen Independent and Theatre Projects to help determine the feasibility of a performing arts center in Orland Park and to develop a strategic operating plan for Centennial Park West.

Your input will help the Village understand what types of events, venues and experiences are most important to the community.

Take the survey: orlandpark.org/recsurvey

08/29/2026

We want to hear from you! The Village of Orland Park has engaged Keen Independent and Theatre Projects to help determine the feasibility of a performing arts center in Orland Park and to develop a strategic operating plan for Centennial Park West.

Your input will help the Village understand what types of events, venues and experiences are most important to the community.

Take the survey: orlandpark.org/recsurvey

08/29/2026

SB 3484 has been signed into law, establishing statewide safety standards for e-bikes and other electric micromobility devices. The Illinois Municipal League supported the legislation.

“Municipal leaders have been responding in real time as new electric devices appear on local streets, sidewalks and bike paths," said IML CEO Brad Cole.

Read the full press release from the Illinois Secretary of State: https://www.ilsos.gov/news/2026/august-26-2026-giannoulias-landmark-micromobility-safety-legislation-signed-into-law.html

08/29/2026

Our community’s heart beats strongest when we stand together. Unite with neighbors, friends, and local families at Centennial Park West for an evening dedicated to remembering and honoring the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 on Friday, September 11, 2026 from 5–8pm.

The program will include a special presentation of colors, moment of silence & tribute from the Orland Fire Protection District, local speakers, youth choir and performances by the Nuclear Jazz Quarktet and Southwest Community Concert Band.

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and loved ones to share in a powerful evening of community fellowship and reflection. For more information, visit orlandpark.org/events.

08/29/2026

A great night!