Supporters Urge Governor To Sign Mental Health Center Transfer Bill

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Tinley Park Park-District and supporters of its efforts to acquire the vacant Tinley Mental Health Center property gathered Tuesday to compel Gov. JB Pritzker to sign legislation handing the acreage over to the park district for $1.

The bill—which would set in motion the park district's plans for the land described as a "win-win"—would be the next piece of the property's future to slide into place.

Legislators Sen. Michael Hastings and Reps. Robert Rita, Debbie Meyers-Martin, and Justin Slaughter spoke in support of HB 3743 and the park district's plans, flanked by representatives of the Cook County Building Trades Council, Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sierra Club, Illinois Environmental Council, South Suburban Special Recreation Association, Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, Tinley Park Bulldogs, Moraine Valley Community College, local youth organizations, south suburban school boards, and south suburban area park districts. The group gathered at the park district's White Water Canyon Park to praise the legislation and publicly petition Pritzker to sign it into law.

The bill, passed by the Illinois General Assembly in May, would turn over the buildings and related acreage at 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue, and the adjacent Howe Developmental Center to the park district, with plans to begin remediation and redevelopment of the long-vacant land. A newly signed state budget also earmarks $15 million in a grant to fund the cleanup of the 280 acres, which reportedly needs millions in problem-solving, including addressing contaminated land, asbestos-filled buildings and landfill areas.

"We are excited and encouraged about the prospect of finally cleaning up and redeveloping the site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center," said Lisa O’Donovan, park district board commissioner and chair of a new committee being established to oversee the project. "The vision for the site developed by our Board of Commissioners will benefit Tinley Park residents, schools and community organizations, and our plan will create new opportunities for the entire southland region to travel to and enjoy Tinley Park."

The sale of the land to the park district for $1 as set in the bill is in stark contrast to the $4.5 million price tag the Village once was willing to pay. The bill also prohibits any form of gaming at the site, supporting the feedback of residents.

"I’m very excited about the future of the Tinley Park-Park District," said Sen. Mike Hastings. "They are an excellent fiduciary to demolish the Tinley Park Mental Health Center and redevelop it into a first-class recreation facility.

"Working together with Rep. Bob Rita, Debbie Meyers-Martin, area legislators and community leaders, we were able to accomplish something that needed to be done for the past decade. Moreover, park district board members Lisa O’Donovan, Ashley Rubino, Bernie O’Boyle, Don Cuba are a pleasure to work with, and our community should be proud that they chose leaders who choose parks over politics."

Hastings remarked on the nature of the relationship between the park district and the Village of Tinley Park—one that has been strained since the park district declared its intent to pursue the property as a sole entity in late-2022. The property has since been at the center of a tug of war between the two entities, following the state's listing the vacant land and buildings among its surplus property in October 2022. By listing it, the state opened the acquisition process to all interested parties.

Among those vying for it were the park district and the Village of Tinley Park, both as sole entities. Last November, the park district formally bid on the property located at 7400-7600 W. 183rd St. The park district's bid shocked the Village, triggering what many have seen as an increasingly contentious relationship between the two. The resulting tension has led to cancelation of traditions, negation of handshake agreements and intergovernmental agreements, and harsh criticism from the community.

Hastings said he hoped to see things improve between the two public bodies.

"There are a lot of misrepresentations and falsehoods that have been made by the Village of Tinley Park regarding this project," Hastings said. "I hope those misrepresentations never come to light for the best interest of the residents, and for those who made them. Further, I hope that the Village of Tinley Park will become a non-combative and participative partner."

The Park District formally bid on the property, 7400-7600 W. 183rd St. in November 2022. The park district in December 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.

"It’s days like today that really make me proud to represent Tinley Park and the entire Southland region," said Rep. Rita at the press conference. "We are here because we have all worked together toward a common goal. This legislation to sell the land to the Park District and the $15 million available for cleaning up the site will be the first important steps to turning this eyesore into a destination for the community and the entire area. We are all excited to see the Governor sign this bill and turn this dream into reality."

Others addressed the crowd, calling for Pritzker to act quickly on signing the legislation. From the time it arrives on his desk, the Governor has 60 days to act.

Chicagoland Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Jim Garrett bulleted what he called key sports-related revenue generated nationwide in 2021, noting $39 billion spent on sports tourism. Other numbers include $10 million spent on related transportation, $9 billion spent on accommodations, $8 billion on food/beverage, and $3.5 billion on amusement.

"There's a tremendous amount of money out there, and Tinley Park with this project will soon capture a lot of those dollars," Garrett said.

"Governor, all I can say, is I can provide you with a pen. All you have to do is sign it."

Others praised the environmental and recreational aspects of the plan.

"We know that parks have an amazing impact on the health of communities, the health of children and families, and the health of our own mental well-being, so we are so excited to see this bill pass out of the legislature," said Lisa Koerner, of the Illinois Environmental Council.

Koerner praised legislators' work to highlight the benefits and perks of the park district's plans, namely open recreational space, picnic space, and green space.

"... they've made the priorities of this area the priorities of the state," Koerner said. "I congratulate them and urge Governor Pritzker to sign the bill."

Park district representatives answered several questions about the plan, addressing the overall estimated cost, and rumors of a tax hike to fund it.

"That has been some misinformation that has been out in the community," said Lisa O'Donovan, Tinley Park-Park District Commissioner.

"... that is absolutely something we do not want to do. Moving forward, it is never our intention to raise taxes. One of the benefits of doing a private-public partnership, would allow us the ability to develop the property without having to incur costs to our taxpayers.

"We are still in the exploratory phase of exploring all of our options, but it is never our intention to raise taxes. Based on where we are today, with the generous grant from the state, we are not in a position where we need to raise taxes at all to move forward with the remediation of the property, and we are thankful for that."

Hastings followed up O'Donovan's answers, saying the the sale of the property to the park district, combined with the grant for remediation is "saving the taxpayers of Tinley Park, right off the bat, just under $20 million dollars."

Hastings called mention of higher taxes "scare tactics from the administration, from the mayor and his staff.

"There has been an enormous amount of misrepresentations, falsehoods, and flat-out lies by certain people, and they may come to light over time, but I do think instead of doing all that, and sending all those lies across the internet and scaring people in town, they should really focus on being non-combative, coming to the table and talking.

"... Just work together. You don't have to be like that."

Park District Executive Director Shawn Roby said they plan to revisit environmental studies on the property for an updated status. Prior studies of the land resulted in the projected, estimated $15 million needed for remediation.

"One of the most important things right off the bat is going to be to freshen up the environmental study that there's now," he said.

A renewed look at that study and at the property will help ensure the remediation costs can be covered by the $15 million grant, Roby said.

The question of costs associated with constructing the sports complex was raised. Roby acknowledged that the park district's earlier plans zeroed in on 90 acres of the property, and that they will have to pan out to bring a vision for the rest into focus.

"When we put this plan together—this is when we were working along with the Village—this was the 'Golden Goose' plan we were talking about," Roby said. "The intent of it was, 'here's what we'd like to start figuring, and then pare it back.' And so, as the communication broke down between the park district and the Village, this is what we had available when we were working on it. The cost is going to have to be decided as we work with the stakeholders.

"This plan still needs some stakeholder efforts. ... this still needs some work, and we need to spend some time on that.

"... This is all going to be part of that process as we're moving forward, to really refine the true cost structure of the process."

Hastings stressed that the park district's plans have the support of the Illinois General Assembly, and he encouraged residents to be patient as officials continue next steps in the process.

"Look around all of our parks in Tinley Park," Hastings gestured. "The town is beautiful because they've got great leadership here in the park district. They're professional, they're stable, they know what they're doing. Let them do their jobs on this property and our community won't be disappointed."

The park district said more information on its plans can be found on its website.