Election 2025: Tinley Park Village Trustee Candidate Matthew Walsh

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park residents in the thick of a quite contentious local election season are likely ready to see it end. With the consolidated election set for April 1, early voting started March 17, and residents can make their picks for the village's next leaders.

Incumbent Mayor Michael Glotz leads his One Tinley Park slate, joined by Village Clerk Nancy O'Connor and trustees William Brady, Dennis Mahoney and Colleen Sullivan.

Glotz's group goes up against Michael Maloney's Tinley Together slate, consisting of clerk candidate Cynthia “Cindy” O’Boyle and trustee candidates Melissa Sanfilippo, Eric Schmidt and Matthew Walsh.

Patch sent questionnaires to candidates, and their answers are now published in their candidate profiles. Early voting began March 17. Find out where and when you can vote ahead of April 1.

Candidate:

Matthew Walsh

Campaign website:

Tinley Together

Office sought:

Village Trustee

Town/city of residence:

Tinley Park

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

Non-Partisan

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

I proudly served as a Chief of Police in a suburban municipality and as the former Chief of Police in Tinley Park, bringing over three decades of law enforcement experience dedicated to keeping our community safe.

Throughout my career, I focused on fostering trust between law enforcement and residents, implementing effective public safety initiatives, and ensuring our officers had the necessary resources to protect and serve. My extensive background in public safety, crisis management, and leadership has prepared me to serve as a strong and accountable Trustee for Tinley Park.

None

The most pressing issues facing Tinley Park are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

One of the most urgent issues facing Tinley Park is public safety. Over the past four years, crime has risen significantly, and our police officers have been without a contract for over a year and without a pay raise for 700 days. Meanwhile, the department remains understaffed and overworked, putting unnecessary strain on the officers who risk their lives to protect our community. We need leadership that will prioritize public safety by ensuring officers receive fair contracts, adequate staffing, and the resources needed to keep Tinley Park safe.

Another major concern is the lack of transparency and accountability in local government. Residents deserve clear answers about where their tax dollars are going, yet the current administration continues to operate behind closed doors. As Trustee, I will fight for full transparency in budgeting, contracts, and decision-making, ensuring that residents have access to the information they need and a voice in their local government.

Finally, economic growth and financial responsibility must be a priority. Tinley Park has the potential to revitalize commercial areas like Oak Park Avenue, Harlem, and 183rd Street, bringing in businesses that serve families and create local jobs. The village must also cut wasteful spending and provide financial relief to homeowners. I support rebating property taxes to ease the burden on residents and conducting a full audit of village finances to eliminate unnecessary fees and hidden costs. With responsible leadership, we can make Tinley Park stronger, safer, and more transparent for everyone.

Unlike other candidates, I have dedicated my career to serving and protecting this community. As the former Chief of Police, I understand the challenges of public safety, crisis management, and working with residents to keep Tinley Park secure. My background in leadership, problem-solving, and accountability has prepared me to bring a steady and professional approach to the Village Board.

While other candidates have ignored crime concerns and undervalued our police force, I will fight for the resources our officers need to do their jobs effectively. I will also ensure transparency in government spending and decision-making, so residents know exactly where their tax dollars are going. Tinley Park deserves leadership that listens, acts responsibly, and puts people first—not politics..

A strong and thriving community starts with safe neighborhoods and a well-supported police force, but Tinley Park’s leadership has failed to prioritize public safety. Crime has risen, yet our dedicated police officers have been without a contract for over a year and without a raise for 700 days. Instead of providing officers with the resources and staffing they need to keep residents safe, the administration has ignored the issue, leaving law enforcement overworked and understaffed.

Public safety isn’t the only area suffering from poor leadership—residents are paying more while getting less. Property taxes and water bills have increased, yet millions sit unused, offering no relief to families. Instead of transparency and open communication, the administration has made financial decisions behind closed doors, leaving residents with no clear understanding of how their tax dollars are being spent.

Perhaps most concerning is how division has replaced collaboration. By cutting ties with the Park District, canceling beloved community events like the 4th of July fireworks, and misusing village resources for political purposes, the administration has weakened the very sense of unity and partnership that makes Tinley Park special.

As Trustee, I will work to restore trust in local government, put public safety first, and ensure that our police officers have the support they need to protect our families. A safe, strong Tinley Park starts with leadership that listens, supports law enforcement, and always puts residents first.

The safety of our families is my top priority. Every parent deserves to feel confident that their children can play outside, walk to school, and grow up in a secure community.

To achieve this, we must ensure that our police officers are supported with fair contracts, adequate staffing, and the resources they need to keep our community safe. A strong, well-supported police department is key to building trust between law enforcement and residents. As Trustee, I will work to prioritize public safety, strengthen our police force, and make sure every family feels protected in their neighborhood.

Alongside public safety, I believe that fiscal responsibility is essential for a thriving community. Property taxes and water bills should not place an undue burden on families. By working together, we can rebate property taxes, conduct a thorough financial audit, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and responsibly.

In addition, we need to invest in the future of Tinley Park by supporting responsible development that brings in businesses, creates jobs, and adds value to our town. I am committed to ensuring that Tinley Park remains a safe, affordable, and family-friendly community.

Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to public service and community safety. As the former Chief of Police of Tinley Park, I spent years ensuring the safety of residents, fostering trust between law enforcement and the community, and managing crisis situations with effective leadership. With over three decades in law enforcement, I have firsthand experience in public safety operations, resource management, and policy implementation—skills that are essential for effective governance. My educational background, including a B.S. in Business Administration from Elmhurst College, an M.B.A. from Benedictine University, and graduation from Northwestern Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy, has further equipped me with strategic planning, financial management, and decision-making expertise necessary to serve as a responsible Trustee.

Beyond my professional background, I have always been an active and engaged member of our community. As a longtime resident of Tinley Park and a member of the Knights of Columbus, I have consistently demonstrated my commitment to service, faith, and civic involvement. Additionally, as a proud father of four, I understand the importance of fostering a safe and thriving environment where families can grow, businesses can succeed, and residents feel a true sense of community. With my experience in leadership, public safety, and community engagement, I am confident in my ability to serve as a strong and accountable Trustee for Tinley Park, ensuring that our village remains a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place for all.

Why should voters trust you?

I have dedicated a significant portion of my career to protecting and serving the residents of Tinley Park. I am not a politician—I am a public servant who has committed my life to improving this community. I believe in honesty, transparency, and responsible leadership, and I will always put the needs of residents ahead of politics.

While others may have withheld information and failed to provide clear answers, I will work to bring transparency and integrity back to local government. My decisions will always be rooted in what is best for the people of Tinley Park, not political agendas. Trust and accountability will guide every choice I make.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Success as Trustee means creating safer neighborhoods, fostering a more transparent government, and providing financial relief for families. My top priority is to ensure that our police department is fully staffed, that officers receive fair contracts, and that Tinley Park continues to be a safe place to live and raise a family. Our law enforcement officers are the backbone of our community's safety, and they deserve the support and resources they need to protect us.

I will also work to restore transparency in local government, ensuring that residents have full access to financial decisions and budgeting processes. Additionally, I will strive to reduce costs for families by cutting unnecessary fees, conducting a financial audit, and advocating for property tax rebates.

Ultimately, success means that Tinley Park is moving forward with strong leadership, where residents feel heard, valued, and most importantly, safe. Every decision I make will be with the well-being of our families and the safety of our police officers at the forefront.

As the former Chief of Police, I have seen firsthand the importance of responsible budgeting and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely. Fiscal responsibility is essential for keeping Tinley Park a thriving, family-friendly community. I believe that the primary role of local government is to serve the residents by using their hard-earned money to improve safety, infrastructure, and services, not waste it on unnecessary or inefficient spending.

In the office of Trustee, my goal will be to ensure that every dollar is spent with the best interests of the community in mind. This means conducting audits to identify and eliminate wasteful spending, ensuring financial transparency in all village operations, and prioritizing essential services, especially public safety. As Trustee, I will advocate for property tax rebates and work to lower unnecessary fees that place an unfair burden on families.

I am committed to making sure that every decision is made with fiscal prudence and accountability, so that residents can see their tax dollars being put to good use and Tinley Park remains a strong, secure, and affordable place to live for all families.

As a former Chief of Police in Tinley Park, I have always been deeply committed to ensuring the safety of our community. During my time leading the department, I worked tirelessly to ensure that our officers had the training, resources, and support they needed to keep our neighborhoods safe. However, I recognize that the crime rate in our community has increased in recent years, particularly in areas like violent crime and property crime.

One of the most significant challenges we’ve faced is interference from the current administration. Rather than supporting law enforcement, there have been instances of direct interference in police operations and investigations, which severely impacted the department’s ability to function effectively. This interference caused many officers to leave, leading to an undermanned department. When the administration undermines police leadership, it creates an environment of low morale and confusion, which affects our ability to combat rising crime, especially violent crime.

As Trustee, I will work to restore the full support of our law enforcement. This means ensuring that the police department is fully staffed, that officers receive fair and timely contracts, and that they are provided with the resources and autonomy needed to do their jobs. I will also work to ensure that the police department is not interfered with and that officers have the support and respect they deserve to protect and serve the community effectively.

Additionally, we must focus on community policing—building stronger relationships between law enforcement and residents. This helps prevent crime before it starts by fostering trust and cooperation. I will also advocate for mental health and youth services to address some of the root causes of violent crime. When we focus on the well-being of our youth and those in need, we can create a safer, stronger community for the long term.

Finally, transparency in how crime is being addressed is essential. As Trustee, I will ensure that residents are kept informed about crime trends and the steps being taken to improve safety. Together, we can ensure that our town remains a safe, welcoming place for families—one that values the hard work of our police officers and fosters a sense of trust and unity.

While there is much work to be done, I am committed to leading the way in strengthening our public safety, making sure that Tinley Park remains a place where families can feel secure in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.

As a Tinley Park resident and former Chief of Police, I know firsthand that smart, responsible development is the cornerstone of a thriving community—one that supports families, strengthens local businesses, and improves the quality of life for everyone. Growth should work for us, not against us. It should enhance our quality of life, boost our economy, and provide relief to taxpayers, not add to the burden that families are already facing.

We have a unique opportunity to revitalize key commercial areas such as Oak Park Avenue, Harlem, and 183rd Street. By attracting businesses that serve families, create good-paying jobs, and add value to our community, we can breathe new life into our town. The 183rd and Harlem area and the Tinley Park Mental Health Center site present the potential to become vibrant, family-friendly spaces, offering parks, entertainment options, and small business opportunities, all while collaborating with the Park District and local officials.

Additionally, the 80th Avenue train station is a prime location to develop into an economic hub that can attract businesses, increase property values, and make Tinley Park an even better place for families and commuters alike. Expanding parks and recreational spaces will ensure that our youth sports programs, like the Bobcats and Bulldogs, have the resources they need to succeed, helping to create a more connected and engaged community.

Most importantly, growth should always benefit residents first. I am committed to ensuring that every development decision is made with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a focus on keeping Tinley Park an affordable, family-friendly place to live. As Trustee, I will ensure that development works for the families who call this town home, enhancing our community while preserving what makes it special.

With thoughtful planning, strong community partnerships, and leadership that puts families at the heart of every decision, Tinley Park’s future is bright. Let’s work together to make sure our best days are ahead!

As a longtime Tinley Park resident and former Chief of Police, I know that smart, responsible development isn’t just about new buildings—it’s about creating safe, welcoming spaces where families can grow, children can play, and businesses can flourish. It’s about ensuring that every decision made today strengthens our community for future generations.

One of the most exciting opportunities for Tinley Park is the redevelopment of the Tinley Park Mental Health Center site. With careful planning and strong community input, we can transform this site into a vibrant area that will provide new amenities, support local businesses, and enhance the overall quality of life for our residents. But to achieve this vision, we must restore trust, rebuild partnerships, particularly with the Park District, and ensure that families have a voice in the decision-making process.

A successful plan will focus on expanding parks, sports fields, and recreational spaces that support our youth programs like the Bobcats and Bulldogs. It will also create jobs, provide property tax relief, and ensure that the growth benefits our residents. Transparency and accountability will guide every decision to make sure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and in ways that directly improve the lives of our families.

As Trustee, I am committed to promoting responsible development that puts families at the forefront. Tinley Park deserves leadership that values growth, sustainability, and most importantly, the well-being of our community. Together, we can create a stronger, safer Tinley Park—a place where everyone can thrive.

No.

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

I am not a politician—I’m a former Chief of Police, a longtime Tinley Park resident, and someone who cares deeply about this community. For years, I have led teams, made critical decisions, and worked to protect our families. Just like in law enforcement, government should be transparent, efficient, and focused on people—not politics.

I believe in fiscal responsibility, supporting our police, and ensuring that development benefits families, not special interests. Too much time has been wasted on petty fights and poor decisions, and it's time for a change. Tinley Park needs leadership that listens, works together, and delivers results. As Trustee, I will work to restore trust, improve communication, and always put families first—because when we work together, our community thrives.