Keith Pekau is an American politician, Air Force veteran, and businessman. He served as the Mayor of Orland Park, Illinois from 2017 to 2025. Known for reducing taxes and debt during his tenure, he also gained attention for his 2022 run for Congress and later controversies. Born around 1967, he is 58 years old in 2025. Pekau is also a decorated veteran with combat experience in Iraq, a successful small business owner, and a family man.
Keith Pekau Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Keith Pekau |
| Date of Birth | 1967 |
| Age (2025) | 58 years |
| Profession | Politician, Businessman, Former Mayor |
| Hometown | Orland Park, Illinois, USA |
| Current Residence | Orland Park, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
Keith Pekau Early Life
Keith Pekau was born in Orland Park, Illinois, around 1967. He grew up in a middle-class family and was shaped by the values of his community. From a young age, he was active in local sports and even went on to coach youth basketball, baseball, and soccer. In his 2022 campaign, he shared that “Orland Park raised me to put people first.”
Education
| University | Arizona State University, Duke University |
| Qualification | B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, MBA |
He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1988. Later, he earned his MBA from Duke University in 1997, where he was named a Fuqua Scholar. His education gave him the foundation to build careers in both the military and business.
Family Details
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Betty Pekau |
| Children | Three children, one granddaughter |
Keith Pekau is married to Betty Pekau, a local schoolteacher. They have three children and one granddaughter. He has kept details about his parents and siblings private.
Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement |
| 1989 | Joined U.S. Air Force as an F-15E Weapons System Officer |
| 2003 | Founded GroundsKeeper Landscape Care |
| 2009 | Co-founded Fahrenheit Consulting Group |
| 2017 | Elected Mayor of Orland Park, defeating a 28-year incumbent |
| 2022 | Republican candidate for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District (lost to Sean Casten) |
| 2025 | Lost mayoral re-election; faced restraining order over village documents |
Keith Pekau began his career in the U.S. Air Force in 1989, where he flew as a Weapons System Officer in the F-15E, completing 45 combat sorties and over 150 combat hours in Iraq. After his service, he transitioned into business, launching GroundsKeeper Landscape Care in 2003 and later Fahrenheit Consulting Group in 2009.
In 2017, Pekau entered politics and won the mayoral race in Orland Park, unseating a long-time incumbent. During his terms, he cut property taxes by 28%, reduced debt by $50 million, and lowered operating expenses by 14%. In 2020, Orland Park was recognized as Illinois’ safest city.
He later ran for Congress in 2022 but lost to Sean Casten. In 2025, he lost re-election as mayor to Jim Dodge and soon after was involved in legal controversy over confidential documents.
Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $1–$2 million |
| Income Sources | Landscaping business, Consulting firm, Mayoral salary |
His wealth comes from his businesses, GroundsKeeper Landscape Care and Fahrenheit Consulting Group, as well as earnings from his role as mayor.
Controversies
- Restraining Order (2025): In August 2025, a judge ordered Pekau to stop posting confidential Orland Park village documents online. He refused, saying, “I will not be silenced.”
- Election Smears (2025): He claimed his wife was targeted with false allegations during his mayoral campaign, though these claims remain unverified.
- Debt & Patronage Claims (2025): After losing re-election, Pekau accused his successor of adding patronage jobs and increasing debt, though official audits contradicted some of his figures.
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