One Tinley Park Video Stirs Mental Health Center Debate

TINLEY PARK, IL — A scathing campaign video from the One Tinley Park political party is putting salt in wound that has plagued the village for years: What to do about the Tinley Park Mental Health Center.

The video credits the candidates — Diane Galante, William Brennan and Michael Mueller — and other citizens for pressuring elected officials to hold the state accountable for the clean up of the site, which is known to be contaminated by several chemicals. The slate also thanks Illinois State Sen. Michael Hastings for filing resolutions earlier this month that urge Gov. JB Pritzker and other state agencies to conduct and pay for an environmental study of the grounds and for land appraisals.

The video, however, has sparked heated debate on the social media platforms — where civic discussion also occurs — in which it was shared.

"This is by far the worst deal this town has ever seen!!!" Michael Glotz, a sitting trustee, wrote in a post that shared the video on his Facebook page. He co-founded the One Tinley Park party with clerk Kristin Thirion in 2017.

"Well let's hope we get 3 better options for trustee and you all can recind [sic] that ridiculous deal," a Facebook user named Scott French replied.

Neither Galante, Brennan nor Mueller have yet said how they would steer the mental health center project if they were elected.

Glotz has criticized the deal in public meetings and has questioned the selection of the developers who are negotiating with the village to build on the site.

Tinley officials are negotiating with Melody Square LLC to build a largely age-restricted community on the site. Under the proposal, Melody Square would build 435 single-family homes targeted for buyers ages 55 and older, as well as about 200 luxury senior apartments on the 280-acre site. Another 100 apartments, 60 single-family homes, and recreation and public green space is planned for the site. The agreement to negotiate exclusively with Melody Square expires in July.
It is not yet clear how a delayed environmental survey will affect that negotiation.

The election for trustee seats is April 2.