Orland Township Together Candidate: Rich E. Kelly (2025)

Rich E. Kelly is running for Orland Township Assessor. The election is April 6.

Posted Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 1:28 pm CT

Kelly recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be seen below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Rich E. Kelly

Age (as of Election Day)

74

Town/City of Residence

Orland Park

Office Sought

Township board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Orland Township Together

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Type 75 Administrative Certificate, Loyola University Chicago.
Master of Science, Education, Eastern Illinois University.
Bachelor of Science, Education, Chicago State University

Occupation

Retired Industrial Technology High School Teacher from School District 218 (Richards, Eisenhower and Shepard High Schools)

Campaign website

ott2021.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently: Orland Township Assessor
Previously: School Board Member District 230

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I am running for Assessor of Orland Township, so my duties are different from the board. The most pressing issue for the assessor office is to make sure that property assessments are fair and equitable for all of Orland Township homeowners. I have been a taxpayer’s advocate for the last 16 years

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Peaceful demonstrations should always be respected. However, if demonstrations erupt into violence and looting, then they become a criminal act.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

The current board has always supported racial equality and all workers at Orland Township know this.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I am a COVID-19 patient, and as a senior, contracting the virus was a very frightening and dangerous experience. I am in favor of limiting non-essential business services and I always wear a mask when in public. I encourage all residents to do the same. At the same time, we should provide economic assistance to businesses and individuals who have been impacted. Between budget freezes and economic downturn, the coronavirus pandemic has become not just a health crisis, but also a budgetary crisis for many Americans. Our government needs to recognize this and continue to financially support main street, as well as offer them more and expanded tax credits. In the meanwhile, I will use every resource allocated to me by virtue of my position to ensure property taxes do not leave any Orland residents out in the cold.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

Where is the vaccine? I am in the 1b category and sign-up the first day of eligibility but no appointments were available. I received a text telling me to go on line for an appointment but no appointments were available this happened twice. I am not the only one that this is happening to. Orland Township is ready to distribute the vaccine, but other bodies are not moving. I intend to continue pressuring the state and national government to provide us with the resources we are ready and able to use.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

In order to run for township assessor, you must be a Certified Illinois Assessor Officer, having passed a number of rigorous classes and exams. I am the only candidate running for this office.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

My campaign platform is based in my history as a taxpayer watchdog. I have spent years working to keep our taxes some of the lowest in Cook County, and I will continue doing so for as long as I am in office.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have helped thousands of homeowners and have saved them combined millions of dollars by making sure their Cook County property assessments are fair and equitable. I am running on, not from, my record.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Take the time to listen to people you can learn something from everybody.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Very few people come into the assessor’s office with good news. I usually help those who are angry or confused regarding recent tax bills. This can prove to be difficult, but the reward of visibly and measurably helping my constituents makes this job worth every ounce of effort.