Election 2019: Tinley Park Voters Guide

TINLEY PARK, IL — Election Day is Tuesday, April 2, and early voting begins March 18 at Tinley Park's Village Hall.

This year, Tinley's voters will be electing three trustees and will be voting on a Park District referendum designed to pay off debt and raise money for building and maintenance projects.

Here's what you need to know before you head to the polls.

Voting logistics
Early voting begins March 18. You can find your location at our website. Not registered to vote? Illinois is among the states that permits same-day registration. However, you can also register ahead online or in person. The Cook County Clerk's Office explains what you need to do that. Will County voters can check their local information here. Residents also can register to vote in person at the Village Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, or from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Not sure if you're registered? You can go here to check.

Polls are open on April 2 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Check back at Patch on voting day for early results and elections news.

What's on the ballot?
Three trustee seats are up for grabs. Eight candidates are vying for them — three on the Concerned Citizens for Tinley Park slate, three on the One Tinley Park slate, and two independents. Our candidate profiles will help you learn more about those who are running.

Concerned Citizens for Tinley Park
Michael J. Pannitto
John W. McGuire
John A. Curran

One Tinley Park
William Brennan
Diane Galante
Michael Mueller

Independents
Jeffrey A. Mech
Brian Godlewski

The park district referendum
Tinley's park district is also asking voters to approve increasing the corporate tax rate by 7 cents to about 35 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation. The money is intended to pay down bond debt and to raise funds for capital improvements and maintenance projects. Officials say that no matter how residents vote, tax bills will go down because if the measure is voted down, the park district will borrow money for those purposes. They are pitching the request as a matter of "cash or credit."

The official language on the ballot will say this:

Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Tinley Park Park District, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.0713% above the limiting rate for levy year 2017 for park purposes and be equal to 0.3479% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2019.
(1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $3,802,248.48 and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $4,782,248.48.
(2) For the 2019 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $21.12 in Cook County, Illinois, and $23.76 in Will County, Illinois.
(3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2019 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the Provisions of the Property Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

We'll continue to cover the candidates and election through April. Here are some stories you may have missed:

The campaign
With Tight Races Tuesday, Will Tinley Voters Head To The Polls?
Foul Words, 'Good Things': How Tinley Candidates Get You To Vote
Tinley Cancels Board Meeting Amid 'Flu,' Ugly Political Season
Tinley Mayor Vandenberg Explains Why Board Meeting Was Canceled

Mental health center
One Tinley Park Releases Vision For Mental Health Center Site
TP Candidate Godlewski Releases Vision For Mental Health Center
Candidate Mech On Mental Health Center Site: Think Solar, Green

Campaign contributions
Campaign Cash Shows Relationship Between Donors, Government
Tinley Trustee Pannitto: Donations 'Not A Factor' In Board Votes
One Tinley Park's Campaign Cash Gives CCTP Run For Its Money

Check back for more.