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Orland Park mayor says campaign and board service drew threats, accuses activist of repeated attacks
Summary
Mayor Kevin Peacock used his board comments on April 7 to describe years of alleged harassment, robocalls, threats and false accusations directed at him, other trustees and staff during his eight years in office; he named a local activist and said the village has pursued legal action.
Mayor Kevin Peacock told the Orland Park Village Board on April 7 that he and other local officials experienced repeated harassment, threats and defamatory attacks during his time in office and throughout a recent campaign.
In a lengthy statement during the board‑comment portion of the meeting, Peacock said the attacks included "over 140 defamatory robocalls," anonymous letters and robocalls directed to his wife, extortion emails, fabricated videos circulated on community forums, a glitter bomb sent to the deputy police chief's desk and a swatting call to a deputy chief’s home. "I stood between the people of Orland Park and some very, very dark forces at a great personal cost," Peacock said.
The mayor identified one person by name from the record, saying, "One person, Mike Henry, was convicted for some of this. He is currently facing a civil lawsuit from the village." He described dozens of complaints and lawsuits filed against him and the board during his term and said that anonymous threats continued against current board members. Peacock told the board these attacks deterred people from running for office: "The behavior from these weasels and miscreants is the reason many good people never run for office."
Peacock framed the remarks as part of a broader defense of his administration's record. He credited the current board with changing village practices and infrastructure and said he would outline the administration’s achievements at the next meeting. He also urged residents to stay engaged and hold future leaders accountable.
Trustees used the board‑comment period to thank departing Trustee Brian Reardon, who said April 7 would be his last meeting. Several trustees — including Trustee Malani, Trustee Compass, Trustee Katsenas and Trustee Radoshevsky — offered public remarks praising Reardon’s legal knowledge and service. Public commenter Carol McGurry also addressed the board earlier in the meeting to thank trustees for their service and leadership.
The statements made by Peacock and other trustees in the meeting record are the officials’ accounts; this article reports what was said on the public record at the April 7 meeting.
