Trustee Healy’s motion to investigate PAC post about Amazon development fails; trustees point to public notice
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Summary
Trustee Healy proposed an independent investigation into a social‑media post by the Inform Orland Park PAC that he said prematurely announced an Amazon facility; trustees debated jurisdiction, whether an ethics complaint should go to the ethics commission, and relied on published public notices; Healy’s motion failed on roll call.
Trustee Mike Healy moved to appoint a committee to investigate a purportedly premature announcement on the Inform Orland Park PAC’s social media accounts that had stated an Amazon facility was coming to 159th and LaGrange Road. Healy presented exhibits including a copy of the Facebook post, an amended post that added the word "potentially," and the PAC’s statement of organization listing Kathy Fenton as chair, who Healy noted is a member of the plan commission for the Amazon application. Healy argued the premature post "undermine[d] the legislative process" and requested a full investigation and a list of those who voted.
Trustees debated process and venue. Several trustees urged Healy to file complaints with the village’s ethics officer/commission (pointing to the existing ethics ordinance) rather than pursue committee action, and staff produced the newspaper certificate of publication showing that public notice for the plan commission hearing had been published in the Daily Southtown on December 22. Village attorneys said disclosure of political associations does not automatically disqualify board members from voting and that an ethics memo could be provided if needed.
After discussion the board called the roll on Healy’s motion; it received aye votes from Healy and Katzenas but failed when a majority voted no. Trustees later encouraged following the ethics commission filing process if there are formal complaints; Healy subsequently withdrew a separate request for verbatim executive‑session minutes.
