Election 2025: Tinley Park Village Trustee Candidate Melissa Sanfilippo

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:

Melissa Sanfilippo

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.

My husband is a police officer for a suburban municipality.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

I am a procurement professional with experience in resource management, contract negotiations, and strategic decision-making. I work for a private family business, where I ensure fiscal responsibility and efficient operations. Additionally, I have been a dedicated community volunteer for many years, actively contributing to organizations and initiatives that improve the quality of life for Tinley Park families.

Previous or current elected or appointed office.

None

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

One of the most pressing issues facing Tinley Park is responsible fiscal management. Families deserve financial relief, yet the cost of living—including property taxes and fees—continues to rise. Taxpayer dollars must be used efficiently, unnecessary fees eliminated, and residents provided with the transparency they deserve in budgeting and spending.

Public safety is also a priority. As the wife of a police officer, I understand firsthand the dedication and sacrifices our law enforcement officers make every day. They deserve fair contracts, proper staffing, and strong community support to keep Tinley Park safe. I will advocate for strengthening our police department and ensuring they have the resources they need to protect our families.

Additionally, community unity and collaboration need to be restored. Partnerships with the Park District and other local organizations have been strained, and beloved traditions have been lost. I will work to rebuild relationships, support community events, and bring Tinley Park families together again.

It’s time to put families first and build a stronger, safer, and more connected Tinley Park.

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

I bring a unique blend of business expertise, community leadership, and a deep understanding of public service—a combination that equips me to serve as a strong and effective Trustee for Tinley Park. With a professional background in procurement and resource management, I have extensive experience in budget analysis, contract negotiations, and financial oversight.

I understand the importance of strategic spending, eliminating waste, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to provide the best possible services to residents. My ability to evaluate financials, negotiate contracts, and manage resources effectively will allow me to make informed decisions that keep Tinley Park financially stable while lowering costs for families. Additionally, my leadership in community redevelopment initiatives, such as the Remediate 280 committee, demonstrates my commitment to responsible growth and long-term planning that benefits all residents.

Beyond my professional expertise, I am a mother and the wife of a police officer, giving me a deep personal connection to the values of family, public safety, and community well-being. I understand firsthand the sacrifices our law enforcement officers make and the importance of ensuring they are fairly compensated, properly staffed, and fully supported to keep our town safe.

My experience as a community volunteer and advocate for family-friendly initiatives has shown me how important it is to restore partnerships, bring back beloved traditions, and create an inclusive, engaged community. My vision for Tinley Park is one of fiscal responsibility, public safety, and smart development, where families feel secure, businesses thrive, and residents have a transparent, accountable government that always puts them first.

Families in Tinley Park deserve responsible budgeting, transparency, and leadership that prioritizes their needs. Unfortunately, rising costs for property taxes, water, and fees have put unnecessary strain on households, while millions of dollars in reserves remain unused. As a procurement professional and a mother, I understand the importance of smart spending and financial accountability—just like any family manages their budget carefully, our village should do the same. I will work to eliminate unnecessary fees, push for tax relief, and ensure that every dollar is spent wisely to benefit our community.

Public safety is also essential. Our police officers work hard to protect us, and they deserve the support, staffing, and resources they need. As the wife of a police officer, I see firsthand the dedication and sacrifices they make. I will advocate for fair contracts and strong community support to ensure Tinley Park remains a safe place for families. Most importantly, I want to help restore trust and bring people together—supporting partnerships, community events, and open conversations that make our town feel like home. I will bring a practical, thoughtful approach to leadership that keeps Tinley Park affordable, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

I’m running for Village Trustee to ensure fiscal responsibility, public safety, and a strong sense of community in Tinley Park. Families work hard, and they deserve transparent leadership that prioritizes their needs. Rising costs, unnecessary fees, and wasteful spending have placed an unfair burden on residents. I will work to cut unnecessary expenses, eliminate hidden fees, and explore tax relief options so Tinley Park remains an affordable place to live. At the same time, growth and development should be done responsibly, attracting businesses and creating jobs without placing additional financial burdens on taxpayers.

Public safety is also a priority. Our police officers work tirelessly to protect our community, and they deserve our full support. I will advocate for fair contracts, proper staffing, and the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. Beyond finances and safety, I want to help restore the sense of unity that makes Tinley Park special. That means strengthening partnerships, supporting family-friendly programs, and bringing back the traditions and events that bring our town together. As Trustee, I will bring a practical, community-focused approach to ensure Tinley Park remains safe, welcoming, and financially stable for all families.

I have spent my career managing budgets, overseeing procurement decisions, and ensuring resources are used efficiently. My experience has taught me how to analyze financials, negotiate contracts, and make responsible spending decisions—important skills for ensuring that Tinley Park operates efficiently and remains financially stable. Just like any family or business carefully manages its budget, our village should do the same by eliminating waste and making smart financial choices that benefit residents.

Beyond my professional experience, I have been an active community member, contributing to projects like the Remediate 280 committee, which focused on the safe redevelopment of the Tinley Park Mental Health Center. I care deeply about our town’s future and believe that smart planning, responsible growth, and strong community partnerships help make Tinley Park a great place to live. My goal is to bring a practical, thoughtful approach to decision-making, ensuring that our community remains strong, welcoming, and well-managed for everyone.

I am not a politician—I am a working professional, a mother, and an active member of the Tinley Park community who cares deeply about our town’s future. Throughout my career, I have focused on integrity, accountability, and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that resources are used wisely and efficiently. I believe these same values should guide our local leadership, ensuring that decisions are made transparently and always with residents' best interests in mind.

Tinley Park families deserve fairness, open communication, and leadership they can trust. My commitment is to serve our community with honesty, professionalism, and a practical approach to problem-solving. I want to help keep Tinley Park a strong, safe, and welcoming place for all families by making thoughtful decisions that benefit both today’s residents and future generations.

Success as a Trustee means making a real, positive difference in the lives of Tinley Park families. To me, that means helping residents keep more of their hard-earned money by finding ways to cut unnecessary costs, reduce fees, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Families should feel confident that their village government is working for them, not adding to their financial burdens.

A strong community is also a safe and connected one. I want to ensure that our police officers have the resources, staffing, and support they need to protect our town. At the same time, I believe in rebuilding partnerships and bringing back the traditions and events that make Tinley Park feel like home. Growth is important, but it should always benefit residents first—supporting businesses, creating jobs, and improving the village without adding unnecessary costs. My goal is simple: to help keep Tinley Park a safe, affordable, and welcoming place for all families to live and thrive.

I believe fiscal responsibility is essential to ensuring Tinley Park remains an affordable and well-managed community. Just like families carefully budget their household expenses, our village should be thoughtful and efficient with every dollar spent. Residents should never have to shoulder unnecessary costs or hidden fees, and tax dollars should always be used in ways that directly benefit the community.

I support a full financial review to identify inefficiencies and cut wasteful spending, along with exploring tax relief options to give families some financial breathing room. Growth and development should also be done responsibly—boosting the local economy and creating jobs without placing additional financial burdens on taxpayers. A well-managed budget should reflect the priorities of the people, ensuring that every investment helps make Tinley Park a stronger, more sustainable place to live.

Public safety should always be a top priority, but under the current administration, crime in Tinley Park has increased, and our law enforcement officers have not received the support they need to keep our community safe. Staffing shortages, contract delays, and low morale have made it harder for our officers to do their jobs effectively, and this has contributed to a rise in crime, including violent offenses. Families deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and businesses, and we must do more to address these concerns before they escalate further.

The best way to combat crime is through a strong, well-supported police force and an engaged community. We need to prioritize fair contracts, proper staffing, and the resources our officers need to do their jobs effectively. At the same time, we must strengthen community partnerships, invest in crime prevention programs, and ensure residents have a voice in public safety decisions. A proactive approach—one that combines support for law enforcement with community-driven solutions—is the key to restoring safety and ensuring Tinley Park remains a secure, welcoming place for all families.

Tinley Park is a wonderful community with great potential for growth, but development must be done responsibly and with residents in mind. Smart planning can help attract family-friendly businesses, create jobs, and enhance quality of life—but it should never come at the expense of our residents. Growth should be thoughtful, transparent, and focused on strengthening our local economy while preserving the character of our town.

I support revitalizing commercial areas like Oak Park Avenue and 183rd Street to attract businesses that serve families and contribute to a thriving local economy. The redevelopment of the Mental Health Center site is a key opportunity to create a well-planned, multi-use space that benefits the entire community. Additionally, residential growth should be carefully planned to enhance home values and maintain the high quality of life that makes Tinley Park a great place to live.

Development should always put residents first, ensuring that our community grows in a way that is sustainable, beneficial, and aligned with the needs of the people who call Tinley Park home.

Tinley Park has a great opportunity for growth, but development should always be thoughtful, well-planned, and focused on benefiting the community. As a procurement professional, mother, and community volunteer, I believe that every decision about development should be made with long-term sustainability, financial responsibility, and the well-being of families in mind. One of the most important projects ahead is the redevelopment of the Tinley Park Mental Health Center site.

With the right approach, this space can become a vibrant hub for families, businesses, and recreation. However, past delays and poor planning have stalled progress, leaving an unused site that could have been an asset to the community. Moving forward, we need leadership that will ensure this project is completed efficiently, with transparency and community input at every step.

For this redevelopment to truly benefit residents, we must focus on responsible growth. That means partnering with the Park District to expand parks, green spaces, and recreational opportunities while ensuring that business development creates jobs, strengthens the local economy, and provides long-term tax benefits. Growth should enhance Tinley Park without creating financial burdens for residents, and every decision should be made with accountability and transparency.

As Trustee, I will bring my experience in strategic planning and financial oversight to make sure this development is handled efficiently and in a way that keeps Tinley Park a thriving and welcoming community.

No.

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

I’m a procurement professional, a dedicated community volunteer, and a mother who cares deeply about Tinley Park’s future. Throughout my career, I have managed budgets, made strategic decisions, and worked to ensure resources are used wisely. Just like in business and in everyday family life, government should be transparent, efficient, and focused on people—not politics.