Steven M. Landek has built a reputation as a dedicated public servant with a long list of impressive accomplishments achieved during his over 35-year career. Landek’s career began in 1975, when at the age of 19 he was elected as the youngest Park District Commissioner in the State of Illinois and one of the youngest people to hold public office in the State of Illinois. Landek immediately made an impact at the park district, focusing his energy on prairie and wetland restoration and became the director of parks in 1977 and served until 1996.
During his tenure, Landek transformed the parks into a vibrant part of the community that were both family and community friendly by planting trees, improving and building more playgrounds as well as a pool and gymnasium. Landek has continued to provide increased and outstanding services to the Village of Bridgeview and the Southland area while cutting excess staffing, reducing the size of government, and limiting property taxes.
Landek also served as a Village Trustee from 1983 to 1987 and was instrumental in converting an abandoned area at 79th and Harlem into one of the region’s first big-box retail commercial strips that brought tax revenues and commercial development to Bridgeview. This also became one of the State of Illinois’ most successful TIF districts.
He returned to the Village Board in 1995. Landek was elected as the Lyons Township Democratic Committeeman in 1998 and the Mayor of Bridgeview in 1999. In 2008, Landek was elected Lyons Township Highway Commissioner and was appointed to fill the vacancy of Lyons Township Supervisor in 2010. Landek continues to serve as Mayor.
Landek is a strong proponent and advocate for the Village of Bridgeview and the Southland region. “My priority is to strengthen the southwest side and suburbs to ensure that we get equal treatment, equal services and equal state funding. My priority has always been to bring jobs and economic support to our village and to the regions,” Landek said.
Landek’s vision has brought numerous high-profile projects to the Southland, most notably, the construction of Toyota Park in Bridgeview. Landek was vital in the development and finding the financing and support for the stadium. The stadium is now the anchor for the Southland area and is the home of the Chicago Fire soccer team, special events, concerts, and events for the residents of Bridgeview. The stadium has provided countless full and part time jobs to the area as well as a major sports venue and local attraction. In recent years, the stadium has seen the likes of David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Jimmy Buffett and Eric Clapton.
Another major project completed in 2013 was an underpass for 71st Street in Bridgeview. This underpass improved traffic flow and will add safety for vehicles and pedestrians. Landek worked with Congressman Dan Lipinski on this $20 million project and it was one of the first CREATE projects to be funded by the state and federal governments.
Steve Landek is a lifelong resident of Bridgeview. He attended Saint Blase Grammar School and Argo Community High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Roosevelt University. Landek is proud to serve the community he calls home and is honored to represent the community’s interests and goals.
Landek was appointed to succeed retiring State Senator Louis Viverito in 2011 and continues to serve for the 12th Senate District.
