Tinley Racino Would Be A 'Boon,' But No Proposals Filed: Official

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park's village manager said that while a racino in the area would be a "boon," officials have not received any proposals to build one on the former mental health center site. If they do, the public will have ample opportunity to take part in a transparent vetting process.

Village Manager Dave Niemeyer made the comments at Tuesday night's board meeting. He was responding to reports that the state's new, expansive gambling law permits a new harness track to be built in one of seven townships in Cook County: Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Orland, Rich, Thornton or Worth townships. Tinley's former mental health center is a favored site for the racino, or combination horse racing track and casino, media outlets have reported.

Niemeyer said the move"could not have been predicted" and that officials were "still digesting the process."

The Illinois gaming and racing boards will have to approve a license first, and Niemeyer said he is not yet aware of who has applied for them. No proposals have been filed with Tinley, he said.

"Here is what we do know," he added. "Tinley Park has a prime opportunity to seize this moment to create a once-in-a-lifetime development opportunity...that will be a positive change in many ways and will be a boon to the entire south suburban region."

He said the racino could include a high-end hotel and restaurant, and considering the Convention Center and Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, it would be consistent with the area's entertainment options and zoning.

Niemeyer told the board of trustees that there are many positive aspects to consider: By using the mental health-center site, the village would be turning a "blighted" area into an entertainment space. The village would be turning land with no tax benefit into one that generates"significant" tax dollars to Tinley's budget. The racino also would bring permanent and construction jobs to Tinley Park, he said.

The village would still need to purchase the land from the state, he cautioned, and would need to remediate the site.

And if the village reaches the proposal stage, he promised that plans would be vetted and debated by the board.

"We are committed to be transparent through the process and there will be ample time for the public to weigh in," he said.