Park District Gets Tinley Mental Health Center Land Under Law Signed By Pritzker

TINLEY PARK, IL — 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 Friday signed a law that will turn the property over to the park district for $1.

The measure passed the House in May and only awaited the governor's signature. The bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Bob Rita, celebrated the news Friday afternoon.

"This is what the community wanted. They wanted to see a friendly, safe green space, recreational hub, for the entire South Suburbs," Rita said at the news conference.

In the state budget signed in June, Sen. Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort) secured a $15 million grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to be used toward necessary work on the property. The 280 acres needs millions in problem-solving, including addressing contaminated land, asbestos-filled buildings and landfill areas.

"Transferring the Tinley Park Mental Health Center to the Tinley Park-Park District was one of the best decisions the State of Illinois made this year," Hastings said in a statement.

Rita, who also supported the $15 million grant, said the site will bring people together and bring events and activities that don't currently exist in Tinley, including attracting sports tournaments and other programs to the area.

The park district said it's engaging Tetra Tech to conduct an updated environmental assessment of the mental health facility site to determine the extent of the remediation needed. Security will also continue to be provided at the site as part of the $15 million grant funding, the park district said in a news release.

Rita said the site will bring people together, and draw activity to the area that doesn’t exist today. The project will serve adults and children, including those with disabilities, and attract sports tournaments and other programs that benefit the entire region.

Supporters Urge Governor To Sign Mental Health Center Transfer Bill

"We have watched this site sit and waste away for years and years. It’s time to act, and this new complex is the right fit for Tinley Park and the Southland," Rita said in a statement. "I look forward to working closely with the leaders at the Park Board to make this a turning point for the region, and to build a recreation and park area that makes us proud for many generations ahead. Thank you to Governor Pritzker and my colleagues in Springfield for working together to support our plan."

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. Since the plan was released to the public, officials said it has gained widespread community support and private developer interest.

The signing of the bill "begins the process of transferring the blighted property to the Park District for $1, saving Tinley Park taxpayers over $4.5 million to purchase the site, which the Village of Tinley Park had previously offered, in addition to an estimated $12-$15 million in cleanup costs to be provided by the state," the park district said. "Now that the bill is signed into law, the Park District can work with the state to begin the process of effectuating the land transfer to officially own the property."

Calling it "a great day for Tinley Park," Rita said in the release, "I’m proud to have sponsored this bill to allow the Tinley Park-Park District to turn this eyesore into a destination for people across the region, and I thank Gov. Pritzker for his support."

Lisa O’Donovan, Park District Board commissioner and chair of a new committee being established to oversee the project, said officials "are excited and ready to move forward with the many steps it will take to clean up the property and redevelop the site. We look forward to engaging with Tinley Park residents, schools, community organizations, and all stakeholders to create new opportunities for our community and the entire southland area to love our Tinley parks."

Lisa Drzewiecki, executive director of the South Suburban Special Recreation Association, said the park district's vision to build an accessible sports complex "will significantly benefit people living with special needs across the Chicagoland area. Recreational space for individuals with special needs is very limited across entire northern Illinois region. With the Park District’s plans for fully accessible facilities, we can open up a host of athletic opportunities for people living with special needs that promote dignity, success, and fun."

Tinley Park Village Manager Pat Carr told Patch the park district will need to submit its plans for the property and its cleanup to the village.

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