ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park Village Manager George Koczwara will not stay in his role after his contract expires in October, having submitted his letter of resignation effective Oct. 14.
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and the Village Board in June voted unanimously not to automatically renew Village Manager George Koczwara’s contract when it expires in October. The decision was made to allow room for the future mayor—should Pekau not be mayor in 2025—and board to choose their own village manger, a courtesy the existing contractual system does not extend officials, Pekau said.
The decision had nothing to do with Koczwara’s performance, Pekau stressed during the meeting, and they planned to keep him in the position.
Koczwara, however, has opted not to remain in the role without a contract in place, according to a resignation letter submitted to the board the day after the meeting, and obtained by Patch.
“At the June 17, 2024 Village Board meeting, you notified me of your intent not to renew my employee agreement,” Koczwara’s resignation letter reads. “Please accept this letter as acknowledgement of this non-renewal notification and to confirm that my last day as Village Manager will coincide with the last day of my employment agreement, which is October 14, 2024.”
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At the June meeting, citing his strained and contentious relationship with former village manager Joseph LaMargo and the actions taken in 2017 that put LaMargo in the role, Pekau explained the move not to automatically renew Koczwara’s contract as proactive. LaMargo, Pekau said, was appointed to the role by the previous mayor and board, after Pekau was elected but before he was sworn in. Conflicting political viewpoints created an environment fraught with tension, initially culminating in LaMargo’s departure from the role and, ultimately, years of legal battles.
After he was reportedly pushed out of his role, La Margo subsequently sued the Village of Orland Park, Pekau, Trustee Bill Healy and the Keith Pekau for Mayor campaign on claims of breach of contract, defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The Village promptly denied those claims, and slapped La Margo with counterclaims for breach of his employment agreement, breach of his resignation agreement, breach of fiduciary duty and loyalty to the Village, and unlawful conversion of Village funds. Ultimately, LaMargo lost and was ordered to pay the Village $30,000.
Pekau expounded, then detailing how the Village’s current form of government can lead to similar issues.
“It would be wrong for the Village Board to undermine the authority of the 2025 board,” Pekau said. “It’s part of what village managers deal with every time there’s a change of administration. This is the only form of government where it’s even possible to have a village manager contract like what the previous board did.”
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Pekau in 2023 pushed to change the Village’s government structure and function. A referendum asked voters to consider a change from a government structure that gives a village manager final decision-making ability in many matters, to one that returns that authority largely to the mayor, with a board of trustees also weighing in. Residents voted in favor of keeping the current format, which was first enacted in November 1983.
“It’s the dumbest form of government I can think of,” Pekau said. “Because again, a board can completely usurp the powers of the mayor.
There is no requirement for a village manager to have a contract, Pekau said at the time. Koczwara was informed 0f the change months prior during a performance review, he added. Koczwara acknowledged receipt of a letter acknowledging the formal decision, also at that time attaching his letter of resignation.
“Let me begin by stating that it has been both an honor and a rewarding challenge to serve this
community over these past five years,” the letter reads. ” In my almost 30 years of service in local government, these five years have provided me with an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill my mission which is to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Orland Park.”
Koczwara went on to note some of his accomplishments while in the role.
“Building an organizational infrastructure from the ground up, hiring all department directors and other key staff as a result of the early retirement incentive initiated immediately prior to my arrival, ensuring uninterrupted services during a pandemic, enhancing capital projects, improving economic development, elevating customer service, and bolstering financial stability is, in my humble opinion, extraordinary,” his letter reads.
“I would be remiss if I did not state that none of the accomplishments over the past five years were completed by my hand alone, these achievements are noted because of the hard work of the dedicated professionals that serve the Village of Orland Park for which I had the honor of leading.”
Koczwara stated he will stay on until Oct. 14, and will assist in a smooth transition.
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