Park District Taps Expert To Lead Cleanup Of Mental Health Center Land

TINLEY PARK, IL — With Gov. Pritzker having now signed off on legislation granting ownership of the highly coveted Tinley Mental Health Center land for $1, Tinley Park-Park District leaders are working on plans to remediate the long-vacant and blighted property once it's in their hands.

After months of tension between the Village of Tinley Park and the Tinley Park-Park District as both entities vied for the right to purchase the long-vacant Tinley Park Mental Health Center land, Gov. Pritzker on Aug. 11 signed House Bill 3743, that will turn the property over to the park district for $1.

As park district leaders await the official transfer of the land, they are working to establish next steps. The state has earmarked $15 million in a grant for remediation of the property, with officials selecting Renee Cipriano, the former head of the IEPA, and Elizabeth S. Harvey, an environmental attorney to lead the efforts.

First, the park district will hire Tetra Tech to conduct an updated environmental study of the property.

Cipriano served as director of the IEPA from 2001–2005. She also previously served as the state’s Senior Advisor on Environment and Natural Resources and as an Illinois assistant attorney general. Harvey has practiced environmental law for more than 30 years, and "has extensive experience in cases involving contaminated property and groundwater," the park district said in a release. She also has dealt in matters involving the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act and their state counterparts, officials said.

"We are thrilled to bring aboard a team of experienced experts to lead our efforts to finally clean up this eyesore in our community," said Bernie O’Boyle, Park District Commissioner. "I am sure I join many Tinley Park residents who are anxious to see this land cleaned up, and we are ready to get to work."

The park district formally bid on the property, 7400-7600 W. 183rd St., in November 2022. In December, the organization gave a glimpse of its plans for the property, which would include a sports dome, hub of athletic fields, track and field facilities and open recreational space—plans they say received praise from more than a dozen legislators and public officials.
Phase 1 includes a playground and sports facilities fully accessible for people living with special needs, multipurpose athletic fields, a domed sports complex with a full-size soccer field, a stadium with a track, a splash pad, concession stands, spectator stands, lighting, ample parking, as well as a pond, picnic areas and open green space.

The property has no existing infrastructure, Village officials said previously, and will need millions of dollars in decontamination and other work. A previous study by Tetra Tech in 2014 detailed the property as one with "a complex history and numerous environmental concerns." The report went on to list issues with the property, including asbestos-filled buildings, soccer fields atop toxic waste, leaking transformers, landfill areas, and "drums of waste materials, potentially hazardous liquids, as well as debris areas," the report states.

The Village questioned throughout the bidding process the park district's ability to cover the cost of the necessary measures for the property.

After the signing of the bill, Village Manager Pat Carr repeated those concerns.

"We're disappointed, but they were able to get the property," Carr told Patch. "Now, hopefully they'll be able to get it cleaned up."