Police, Village Trade Blows With Vote Of No Confidence, Claims Of Overtime Abuse

TINLEY PARK, IL — As contract negotiations hit a boiling point, dozens of Tinley Park police officers on Wednesday filed into a village board special meeting to voice their distrust in the department's chief. The Village fired back in defense of the department leader, also outlining swelling overtime costs surfaced by an audit among its issues during contract deliberations.

Led by retired Tinley Park patrol officer Ray Violetto, representative for the Metropolitan Alliance of Police Tinley Park Chapter #192, the three dozen officers cast a vote of no confidence in Tinley Park Police Chief Thomas Tilton. The vote, Violetto told Patch, was signed off on by all officers within the police department.

The move comes 15 months into contract talks with the Village — which have hit a wall and will soon move into interest arbitration.

In a statement during the meeting and issued again afterward, Village officials called the vote of no confidence "unfounded," and cited the union's "unwillingness to compromise" as cause for the protracted negotiations.

Both sides leveled accusations, with the union citing "lack of direction, disregard for staff concerns, and inadequate or absent policy decisions" as the basis for its vote and a catalyst for a potential leadership change. Under Tilton, officers claim, the department has seen a "noticeable decline" in its reputation, impairing its ability to attract qualified applicants.

"Concerns regarding internal communication, leadership consistency, and morale have become known within the broader law enforcement community, contributing to a perception that the department may lack stability and long-term support," the document reads.

The Village, in its response, praised Tilton for his contributions as chief, saying he has "made significant strides attempting to fix bad and costly practices that have been going on for decades." It continued:

The Village Board and Village management fully support Chief Tom Tilton, and commend him for his tireless efforts to bring accountability to the department.

The Village of Tinley Park

"Chief Tilton has over 40 years of law enforcement experience, which include protecting four presidents as a United States Secret Service special agent," Mayor Michael Glotz said. "We’re not only proud, but lucky to have such a qualified individual leading our police force and protecting the residents of Tinley Park."

The union alleged in its documentation that Tilton's tenure as chief has led to "diminished morale among the department," caused by "a consistent lack of communication, engagement, and accountability.

"There has been a noticeable absence of regular consultation with supervisory staff, and key decisions are frequently deferred to the Tinley Park Village Hall. This approach has led to a lack of unified leadership, which in turn has contributed to organizational strain and diminished morale across the department," the union statement said.

Tilton's leadership, the union says, has led to a "steady decline in morale, strategic direction, and overall vision.

"Perhaps most concerning is the growing damage to the department’s public image and internal credibility."

In its documentation, the union points to concerns about staffing, working conditions, and communication.

You can read the vote document in its entirety below.

Vote of No Confidence In Tinley Park Police Chief Thomas Tilton by Lauren Traut on Scribd

Tilton joined the police department in 2021 as deputy chief. He was named interim chief in 2023 following the resignation of then-Chief Matthew Walsh, before assuming the role permanently in 2024.

In its response, the Village says its leadership team "fully supports its police department and public safety personnel. The Village’s actions speak for themselves on that front, ensuring that the Tinley Park Police Department has always had the resources it needs to keep the community safe."

Since 2019, the Village has authorized 13 additional patrol officers and five additional command-level positions, and the Tinley Park Police Department is now at the highest staffing levels it's ever had. Any request for new technology or equipment, including a $1 million-plus overhaul of the entire radio system, has always been approved and funded.

— Village of Tinley Park officials

In March 2025, as contract talks continued, the Village extended terms that included "the highest four-year pay increase in the history of the department.

"... An offer exceeding increases that surrounding communities have received,” Village Manager Pat Carr said. “This offer was made in hopes of some compromises in other areas but was ultimately declined by the union.”

As the two parties jockeyed for terms of a new contract, Village officials also worked to address "serious concerns about the department’s internal operations and overtime practices."

Citing an independent audit completed in early 2024, the Village said it has paid out $15 million in overtime for officers over the past decade. Last year, officials said, the Village paid out $2 million in overtime.

In comparison, they note neighboring Orland Park Police Department's overtime budget is $500,000.

The audit findings, they say, point to "patterns of overtime abuse that have placed a substantial burden on Village resources and taxpayers.

"Public safety is a top priority, and we are committed to ensuring that our police officers are well-supported,” Carr said. “However, we also have a duty to taxpayers to manage resources responsibly. The audit made clear that changes are needed to restore accountability and efficiency in the use of overtime.”

In addition to the overtime issues, the Village said, a command team has conducted an internal review of the department’s structure this past year, citing "a noticeable breakdown in frontline supervision resulting in a major ongoing internal investigation." The issues, they say, have "contributed to a lack of cohesion within the department and hindered effective management.

“Every effort to manage within our rights of the contract has been met with grievances (more than 15 for the duration of the expired contract), which is contributing to the impasse and why the Village believes it necessary to work through these matters,” Carr said. “While the Village maintains a healthy financial position, future financial planning demands we carefully review allocation of the resources we have. It is not financially sustainable to continue down the path we are headed if we want to keep our property taxes at a minimum to ensure a thriving community.”

The Village said it will continue to work toward a resolution and a contract with the Union and any arbitrator brought in.

"It is unfortunate the union is attempting to resolve this publicly,” Carr said. “These expressions of frustration are heard; we share in this sentiment. Negotiations always stir up emotions, but it is important to look past them to resolve the underlying issues.”

Violetto on Thursday said the Village attributing the vote as a response to contract negotiations or disagreements over wages is a "disservice to the facts.

"The membership just wants to reiterate the vote of no confidence was not about contract negotiations or union disagreements over wages," Violetto said. "It was an administrative matter rooted in serious concerns about leadership, communication breakdowns, and decision-making failures that directly impact officer morale and public safety.

"Their attempt to dismiss this as 'sour grapes' over a contract is not only misleading, it's a disservice to the facts and to the integrity of the membership."