Orland Park trustees approve Citizens Academy program implementation

The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees convened on May 19, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the introduction of a new community program and discussions on health insurance proposals.

The meeting began with a procedural discussion regarding the motion to send a previous item back to the Committee of the Whole. After a brief exchange, the motion was approved with a vote of 5-1, allowing for further contributions from board members.

Next on the agenda was the proposal for the Orland Park Citizens Academy, aimed at enhancing community engagement and understanding of local government operations. Trustee Maloney moved to approve the implementation of the program, emphasizing its potential benefits. The motion received support from other trustees, who expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. Trustee Gensinas suggested incorporating video recordings of sessions to optimize staff resources and ensure broader accessibility for participants. The board unanimously approved the motion.

Following this, Trustee Lawler introduced a motion to solicit health insurance proposals from the Intergovernmental Personal Benefit Cooperative (IPBC) and to seek comprehensive insurance proposals from Marsh McLennan Agency. This motion also passed unanimously, indicating the board's commitment to exploring options for health and property insurance.

The meeting concluded with a public comment segment, which saw no participation from citizens. Board members then shared their reflections, with Trustee Healy acknowledging the contributions of past and current mayors, highlighting the importance of recognizing both strengths and weaknesses in leadership.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's focus on community engagement through the Citizens Academy and prudent management of village resources through health insurance evaluations. The next steps include further discussions in the Committee of the Whole and the implementation of the Citizens Academy program.