1557247 VOTP Exchange-fall NL.indd

Exchange
Tinley Park
Fall / Winter 2015
Inside
this
issue . . .
Spotlight:
MainStreet
Commission
4
Take Citizens
Survey
7
2015 Holiday
Happenings
12-13
Water meter
update
18
Zabrocki
receives
Public
Service
Leader
Award
22
Happy
Holidays
from the
Village of Tinley Park
From the Mayor’s Office
A new era in Tinley Park
Much has happened since our last issue of the Exchange.
First, Ed Zabrocki, who served for 34 years as mayor of Tinley Park, retired from office in June.
Under his leadership, Tinley Park grew to become the 20th largest city in Illinois, enjoying a
self-sustaining, diversified economy that supports the employment of more than 30,000 people.
Since his term as mayor, the population of Tinley Park has increased by 119 percent (from
26,000 to nearly 60,000), and the Village enjoys 10 times the sales tax revenue with four times
the number of businesses.
David G. Seaman
Mayor
Ed demonstrated the rare ability to bring varying perspectives together for the best interests of
the citizens of Tinley Park. His ability to reach out and touch citizens, as well as other elected
officials at the local, county, state and federal levels, has made much of what has happened
possible. To Ed, Emily and the entire Zabrocki family – thank you!
I’d like to welcome new trustees Mike Pannitto, Jake Vandenberg, Brian Younker and Bernie Brady, all of whom are
already making their mark on Tinley Park through dedicated public service. I’d also like to thank former trustees Greg
Hannon, Tom Staunton and Patty Leoni for their years of service on the Village Board. Each of you has had a profound
impact on the progress made in Tinley Park.
In addition to our newly appointed trustees, Tinley Park also has numerous new volunteer members and chairmen at
the helm of our various commissions. These new faces will bring fresh ideas and fresh perspectives to the table. It’s a
sign that Tinley Park truly has entered a new era, and I for one am excited at the opportunities that lie ahead. I don’t just
mean economic and developmental opportunities, either, although those are many. I’m also talking about the chance to
strengthen residents’ confidence and trust in Village government. There isn’t much we as elected officials can do about
state and county government, but there are plenty of things we can do at the local level to ensure our government is
always transparent and always serving the needs of residents.
In the coming months, your Village Board will be focused on more strategic planning and community engagement.
Part of that plan involves a survey designed to assess the needs and concerns of Tinley Park’s residents. Through these
strategic planning initiatives, we hope to enhance communication between government and the people we serve.
As I mentioned earlier, countless opportunities for economic growth lie ahead. We have a vision of where we want to
go in terms of Downtown Tinley redevelopment, as well as development throughout the Village as a whole – including
several key areas in both Will and Cook counties.
As we get closer to year-end, we are beginning to see continued vibrancy in Downtown Tinley, which is the very heart
of our community. We’re also seeing considerable interest in new and expanded businesses and on the part of small
business owners and entrepreneurs as they realize their dreams. Small business recruitment and retention remains
a priority, with focus on some great Downtown Tinley events, reinforcing Tinley Park as the place to recreate and
celebrate!
It’s hard to believe that fall and winter are already upon us! After a great summer that included Benches on the Avenue,
Downtown Tinley Farmers Market, Music in the Plaza, Caribbean Block Party, P.A.W.S. Pet Parade and Cruise Nights, we
are preparing for more celebration in the winter with the annual Downtown Tinley Holiday Happenings from Dec. 4
through Dec. 6 at the Oak Park Avenue train station. I’d like to invite everyone to come out and take part in the official
tree lighting ceremony, Tinley Toyland Parade, Parade of Lights, photos with Santa, carriage rides, the popular Holiday
Market and so much more. It’s sure to be a great time for all!
I’d like to thank Village staff, fellow elected officials and Tinley Park residents for their ongoing support, and I wish
everyone a blessed, safe and happy holiday season. I’m truly honored to be the mayor of this, the greatest town in
America. I can’t wait for us to craft the future together, one day at a time.
Village Clerk Report
New vehicle sticker to honor V.F.W. Post 2791
You are reading this article at the beginning of a wonderful 2015 holiday season. I encourage
each of you to take advantage of the events planned by our Village in Downtown Tinley, as well
as the unique programs organized by our library and park district. In addition, our schools have
exciting musical and theatrical performances and, of course, the churches and other religious
centers accent our diverse population.
Patrick E. Rea
Village Clerk
It has become a bit of a tradition in this article to introduce next year’s vehicle stickers that
highlight a historic part of Tinley Park. In 2015 it was the Bartels Windmill. With the 2016
sticker we warmly join V.F.W. Post 2791 in celebrating their 75th anniversary of supporting
the military service men and women of our community and underscoring a patriotic theme
coupled with good citizenship.
On March 22, 1941, local veterans formed what is today V.F.W. Post 2791. It was an anxious
time for America as the world was at war and the U.S. knew we might become involved. That post from those early
dark days following the attack on Pearl Harbor has grown to be the second-largest post in Illinois and, for the past four
years, has been recognized as an “All-American Post.” Its Parade Marching Units and Friday Night Fish Frys have become
a staple of Tinley Park. We are proud to honor them on their 75th anniversary and the wonderful members of the
American Armed Forces that they represent.
For the last few years I have used this edition of the Exchange to update our citizens on an item that affects most of us,
namely the Vehicle Registration Program, which helps to fund an important part of our street maintenance program. So
far this year we’ve sold 32,487 stickers, which interestingly is 2,026 fewer than in 2014. The reduction was overwhelming
in the general passenger car category. There were slight reductions in light trucks and motorcycles, with a modest
increase in senior citizen stickers.
We are still analyzing what the numbers may reflect, but our early projection would indicate that the multi-car family
is becoming smaller. National trends would help support this theory, as we see a number of high school and college
graduates who were staying with their parents now leaving home. I should note that the 2015 Vehicle Sticker Amnesty
Program in July and August actually was more successful than our previous few years, although those, too, were a
success.
With the presidential primary election just right around the corner on March 15, I’m pleased to report that our county
clerks (both Cook and Will) have made it easier to register to vote or change your voting address with just few clicks
online for anyone with an Illinois driver’s license or Illinois identification card. Just follow these simple steps below.
On behalf of myself and the members and families of the Clerk’s Office, I’d like to extend best wishes for a wonderful
Thanksgiving, happy holiday season, and a successful and healthy 2016.
How to Register to Vote
Visit www.cookcountyclerk.com or www.thewillcountyclerk.com, depending in which county you live.
Click on the “Register to Vote” icon
Click on the link under the first section labeled “Online”
The link takes the voter to the paperless online voter application. Once there, enter the required information.
When you click “submit your registration” you will receive an email confirmation of your application.
Persons who register to vote using this online application must meet the following requirements:
Must be a United States citizen; at least 18 years old on or before the next general election (Nov. 8, 2016);
and have an Illinois driver’s license or Illinois identification card
Those without an Illinois driver’s license or ID card cannot use the online application. Instead, they can come into
the Clerk’s Office at the Village Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturdays to register to vote; they may also register by mail. All of these services are available from now until the
close of registration on Feb. 16 before the March 15 presidential primary election.
3
Commission Spotlight
MainStreet Commission
It’s not easy fitting two very large hats onto one
normal-sized human head, but Mike Clark manages
just the same.
activities and development, façade improvements,
signs, landscaping and road improvements in
Downtown Tinley.
As both owner of Ed and Joe’s Restaurant &
Pizzeria and Chairman of the Village’s MainStreet
Commission, Clark’s itinerary is rarely empty. But
leading the MainStreet Commission is a job he said he
wouldn’t trade for anything.
"We are the eyes and ears of the downtown,” Clark said.
“We believe that the downtown is the heart and soul
of the Village, and that the health of the downtown
reflects the health of the entire Village.”
Clark said the MainStreet Commission is run by a group
of very dedicated volunteers who donate their time in
the service of the town they love.
“I started on the commission and stay on the
commission because I believe Downtown Tinley is
extremely important to the Village,” he said. “I live,
work and play here in the downtown. As a business
owner, this is how I give back to
the community.”
“They’re all very committed to Tinley Park and are
willing to give some of their time to help grow the
downtown to help make it
a destination for all of our
residents and visitors,” he
said.
“Ultimately, our goal is
to get more residents
and visitors coming to
Downtown Tinley.”
The seven-member MainStreet
Commission was formed in
1997 to create an atmosphere
in the Village that is conducive
for small business growth, to
supplement programs already
in effect, and to promote the
development and redevelopment
of Oak Park Avenue between
165th and 183rd streets, a stretch of the Village also
known as Downtown Tinley. The commission also
makes recommendations on various applications for
assistance from commercial businesses in Downtown
Tinley.
Clark said the MainStreet
Commission has some very
ambitious goals for the
future, including continuing
to support the Legacy
Plan that aims to beautify
and revitalize the core of Downtown Tinley through
redevelopment and facade improvements.
“Once that core is developed and completed, the rest
of downtown will fill in,” he said. “We also want to keep
the synergy of the downtown vibrant and build on all
of the events that we have. I’d also like to see more
beautification to the street and more entertainment on
Friday evenings.”
“The MainStreet Commission began after a group
of businesses got together and formed a business
group to help revitalize the downtown,” said Clark,
who has served as MainStreet Commission Chairman
since shortly after its inception. “The Village drafted
an ordinance and appointed seven members whose
purpose was to create and maintain a viable business
district.”
Clark said he also hopes to engage more with
Downtown Tinley businesses and encourage them to
stay open later during Village events.
“Ultimately, our goal is to get more residents and
visitors coming to Downtown Tinley,” he said.
The MainStreet Commission meets at 6 p.m. the third
Wednesday of the month in the Fulton Conference
Center at Tinley Park Village Hall, where it reviews
4
MAINSTREET COMMISSION
SIGN
INCENTIVE
PROGRAM
The Village of Tinley Park will be implementing
a sign incentive program to Downtown Tinley
businesses in an effort to make Oak Park Avenue
shops and stores more visible.
The Village proposes to incent “blade signs,”
which are signs that project from the front of
a building, perpendicular to the street. Roger
Brooks, an international tourism expert who
visited Tinley Park last spring, recommended
that Downtown Tinley businesses display blade
signs rather than parallel wall signage in order
to dramatically increase visibility by pedestrians
and vehicles.
Details are still being set forth, but the Village
would provide an incentive for a maximum of
50% of the total cost of the sign – including
design, fabrication and installation – for a
maximum total of $2,500. The Village budgeted
$55,000 for the program. Final approval of each
sign incentive would be granted by the Village
Board upon recommendation by the Village's
MainStreet Commission, using new sign design
guidelines that are currently being developed.
The new incentive program aims to enhance the
exterior condition of businesses in Downtown
Tinley and improve the visual landscape as
viewed from the sidewalks/street. It also
Experience Downtown Tinley
There are so many events and deals
happening every day in Downtown
Tinley that it sometimes may be
difficult to keep track of them all.
Luckily, the monthly “Experience
Downtown Tinley” electronic
newsletter does it for you!
Chairperson
Michael Clark
Trustee Liaison
Brian Maher
Julie Dekker
Beth Fahey
Bob Haustein
Dennis Suglich
Robert Thies
Julie Volkman
Staff Liaison
Donna Framke
Secretary
Nancy Byrne
Associate Members
Dennis Mahoney
JoAnn Mahoney
encourages human-scale signage that is supportive
of the Village’s Legacy Plan goal to “create a place
where pedestrians come first.” The Village’s goal is
to achieve a greater number of three-dimensional,
symbolic and projecting signs that exhibit
appropriate scale and proportion to the site and
building, as well as signs that support Downtown
Tinley’s unique and historic architectural quality
through the coordination of sign design, color and
high-quality materials.
The incentive program would increase the visibility
of storefronts at the pedestrian level, improve the
messaging within signage to assist in tourism efforts,
and advance consistency of signage in Downtown
Tinley by removing signs that are non-conforming
to the current signage regulations by incentivizing
signage that conforms to new signage ordinances
and design guidelines.
The Village plans to launch the incentive program in
early 2016.
shopping specials and more. Also, a lucky
subscriber is chosen each month to
receive a free $50 gift certificate to the
Downtown Tinley business of their
choice. It could be you!
To subscribe, visit
www.downtowntinley.com, click on
the “Email Newsletter” link at the top
and then fill out the form on the page.
It’s that simple!
The newsletter is filled with
information on what’s happening
in Downtown Tinley, including
local events, dining, entertainment,
5
2016
CALL TO
ARTISTS
Village Announces Benches on the Avenue 2015 Winners
The winners of the 12th annual Benches on the Avenue public art project, titled “Heroes
and Villains,” were announced at the Aug. 22 Music in the Plaza concert in Zabrocki
Plaza. Winners included:
Most Creative - “Monsters, Inc.” by Jennifer Lilly
Best First-Time Participant - “Historic Heroines” by Jackie Perell
Best Portrayal of Theme -“DC’s Finest” by Garrett Gray and Phillip Gerk
Most Inspirational - “Heroes of Our Freedom” by Babeth Kopf
Best Three-Dimensional - “Iron Man” by Dave, Kim, Ben, Ron and Sam Begeske
with Becky Chasteen, Jessica Brookhouse and Shannon Hill
Best Use of Materials - “Dream a Little Dream” by Lois Bartolini and
Sherrie Bartolini Ordaz
Best Group/Family Project - “Girl Power Rules” by Rina Briz, Devin Walker,
Narita Sharma, Alexis Jannotta, Sarah Keyes and Kathleen DeJong of South
Suburban College
Judges’ Choice Award - “Metal Giants” by John Tamulis and Kristen Price
Thanks to the 2015 judging panel, which included: Mona Serpe, President,
Tinley Park Garden Club; Regina Ziemann, Adjunct Art Instructor, Moraine Valley
Community College; Wendy Bumphis, Tinley Park Rotary Club; Bob Haustein, Board
Member, Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce; and Julie Dekker, Director, Vogt Visual Arts
Center.
The Village would like to congratulate and thank everyone who participated in this
year’s Benches on the Avenue.
The Village of Tinley
Park is seeking amateur
and/or professional
artists; teachers and
students; groups and
individuals interested
in participating in the
annual Benches on
the Avenue public
art project, which is
a high-profile event
that each year attracts
thousands of people to
the downtown area.
Artists will be selected
based on their portrayal
of the 2016 theme,
Once Upon a Time...
The Village is looking
for creative, colorful,
three-dimensional
designs that are childand family-friendly and
that depict favorite
children's storybooks.
To request complete
guidelines for
submission, email:
[email protected].
Downtown Tinley Farmers Market
Voted “Best of Chicago’s Southland”
The Downtown Tinley Farmers Market recently was voted
the best farmers market in the area in the Daily Southtown’s
annual “Best of Chicago’s Southland” contest. This contest
has been around for more than 20 years and is very
well-received by Southtown readers.
For more information, please visit
www.downtowntinley.com/Events.
6
Help Us Craft the Future of Tinley Park
Please Participate in the Citizens Survey
Available Through November
The Village recently sent out a community survey to randomly selected Tinley
Park residents in an effort to solicit feedback on general quality of life issues such
as ease of transportation; recreational, educational and career opportunities;
quality of business and service establishments; quality of Village services; and
the use frequency of Village communication endeavors; among many others. The
Village is now opening up the survey to the rest of the community.
Residents are encouraged to take the survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TinleyParkSurvey
HEALTH
&
WELLNESS
HOUSING
&
BUSINESS
QUALITY
OF
LIFE
VILLAGE
SERVICES
PUBLIC
SAFETY
7
Police Department News
Combating Violence in the Workplace
Most people know that the Tinley Park Police
Department, in conjunction with our schools,
conducts lockdown drills and active shooter drills
on an annual basis. These drills are done for the
safety of students and with the support of the Illinois
legislature, which requires the drills.
When the police department conducts drills and
training with school staff, it covers three aspects:
Lock down (hide)
Evacuate (run)
Confront (fight)
Contact Tinley Park Police Department Chief Steve
Neubauer at (708) 444-5300 if you are interested in
scheduling a presentation on this topic.
Recently, the police department has begun offering
workplace violence training to businesses in Tinley
Park. This training is based on a five-minute YouTube
video called, “Run, Hide, Fight,” which was produced
by the Department of Homeland Security. Residents
can watch the video by searching “Run, Hide, Fight”
at YouTube.com.
Real Police Work
Many are all familiar with the 60-minute resolve
of most crimes as depicted on television or in the
movies. Investigating real crimes is much more
daunting and complicated, often ending with an
unsatisfying conclusion. However, the men and
women of the Tinley Park Police Department work
very diligently to investigate crimes against citizens.
In the event of an active shooter in the workplace,
people are encouraged to perform the same actions as
in a school shooting, but in a slightly different order:
first to evacuate (run), then to lock down (hide), and
finally, confront (fight) if it becomes necessary. The
order of the workplace scenario differs from schools
in that school teachers typically are responsible for 20
to 30 children, and the lockdown works better with a
large group of children than immediate evacuation.
However, teachers also are given instruction on how
to independently decide to evacuate their children if
they are in harm’s way.
Today, evidence can be a knife, gun, bat or tool,
but in many cases, evidence can be a computer,
video or cloud-based digits. While this helps in the
investigation of crimes, the expansion of warrants,
subpoenas and various lab work increases the
workload of those detectives.
One of the more interesting tools the police
department uses is a system called "Critical Reach."
Our detectives can send crime information to every
police department in northern Illinois seeking
assistance and information. The detectives in the
surrounding towns used to meet on a monthly basis
to exchange information, which is still done to some
extent. However, now the detectives can transmit
information on electronic media on a daily basis.
Workplace active shooter training emphasizes that
the collective goal should be to avoid active shooter
scenarios in the community. As in the school setting,
the best defense is an early warning to authorities
of any individual who may come to do harm. In the
workplace, these individuals are typically disgruntled
employees or ex-employees, disgruntled customers,
or a significant other of an employee.
Typically the detectives will share information about
unsolved crimes and unidentified suspects. In a recent
case, Tinley Park police had a clear photo of a suspect
using a stolen credit card. That information was
transmitted on a "Critical Reach," and a neighboring
detective knew who the suspect was. This tool saves
countless hours of the detective’s time.
Workplace policies should include:
Strong anti-bullying policies
Policies that promote reporting suspicious
behavior to a supervisor or human resources
A good security plan for worksites
8
Safe Transactions Program
Area residents now have a neutral, safe place to conduct
personal transactions such as Craigslist sales or the private
sale or purchase of a car thanks to the Village of Tinley
Park’s new Safe Transactions program.
Buyers and sellers can now use the parking lot and lobby of
the Tinley Park Police Department, 7850 W. 183rd St., from
7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week to conduct these
transactions.
“When you’re conducting sales transactions with strangers,
safety is incredibly important,” said Trustee T.J. Grady, who
also is Chairman of the Village’s Public Safety Committee.
“This new program provides a safe and secure place to
conduct business, greatly reducing the likelihood of theft,
robbery or violence.”
Sellers and buyers should refrain from bringing large
items into the police station. The police department will
not provide any assistance to the parties. Verification of
authenticity, verification of payment, use of copy machines
and police computers will be strictly prohibited.
Prohibited sale items include drugs, firearms and hazardous
materials. Large items and items fueled by gasoline are not
allowed in the lobby, but they are acceptable in the parking
lot.
Please note that the Village of Tinley Park takes no
responsibility for any transaction conducted on Village
property. Staff also will direct any person who is disruptive
or not following the rules to leave immediately.
Those who choose not to use the police department as a
safe place to conduct transactions should take the following
precautions:
Insist on a public meeting place to conduct the
transaction. Do not meet in a secluded location.
Do not invite strangers to your home.
Be especially careful when buying or selling high-value
items.
Tell a friend where you are going, or have a friend
accompany you.
Take your cell phone with you.
Trust your instincts.
For more information on the new Safe Transactions
program, please call the Tinley Park Police Department at
(708) 444-5300.
Tinley Park Police Department
CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY
January 7 - March 24, 2016
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
The Tinley Park Police Department is hosting
a Citizens Police Academy. The Citizens Police
Academy is a 12-week program designed to
provide a working knowledge of Law Enforcement
and the Tinley Park Police Department. The
program is free of charge and is limited to
25 students per session. Applicants must be over
the age of twenty-one and live or work within the
Village of Tinley Park.
The goal of the academy is to provide the citizens
with an opportunity to see how the police
department serves the community. They will
learn how and why specific or certain decisions
are made, while taking into consideration the
impact those decisions will have within the
community.
Applications are available at
the Tinley Park Police Department located
at 7850 W. 183rd Street.
For more information, please
Officer Perry Dubish at 708-444-5300.
BASSET Program
contact
A new ordinance passed in Illinois and supported by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission now requires all
alcohol servers and bouncers (those responsible for checking IDs) to be certified in BASSET, which stands for
Beverage Alcohol Sellers/Servers Education and Training. Certification must be renewed every three years.
Happy Hour also has been reinstated in Illinois (with certain restrictions); more information is available at
www.ILCC.illinois.gov. Community Service Officer Doug Alba is BASSET-certified and can be reached
at (708) 444-5342 or [email protected].
9
CRIME PREVENTION NEWS
Award-winning National Night Out program to return in 2016
The Tinley Park Police Department’s annual National Night Out Against
Crime program will return next year in August. About 5,500 people came
out to this year’s event. Visitors were able to meet with Tinley Park police
officers, 911 center operators, firefighters, Emergency Management Agency
personnel and Tinley Park Public Works employees, as well as view select
vehicles from each department. More than 50 businesses and organizations
also participated in the event.
Tinley Park’s National Night Out program has won eight consecutive national
awards in the 50,000 to 99,999 population category.
Child safety seat appointments available
Tinley Park residents can call (708) 444-5326 to make an appointment to have their child safety seat inspected by
a trained technician. While it is the responsibility of the parent, grandparent or caregiver to install the seat in their
vehicle, technicians will verify it’s properly installed or assist in reinstalling the seat.
“Many seats are not properly installed, so technicians work with parents, grandparents and caregivers to inspect and
re-install the seats if necessary,” Crime Prevention Officer Dina Navas said. “This makes it much safer for the children
to be passengers in vehicles.”
Please bring the child safety seat manual and the vehicle’s owners manual to the appointment. As a courtesy, please
have your vehicles free of excess clutter and food crumbs.
Be wary of scams
Please be advised that there are many scams being conducted in the area. If it seems too good to be true, it is. Feel
free to call the Tinley Park Police Department’s non-emergency number at (708) 532-9111 if you have any questions
or concerns. Also, remember to call 911 if you see suspicious activities in your neighborhood.
Crime Free Rental Housing Program
The Tinley Park Crime Free Rental Housing Ordinance and Program is a crime prevention
initiative for all residential rental properties. The program, which is nationally
recognized and utilized by 12 other south suburban communities, is designed to combat
and eradicate criminal activity in rental properties and improve the quality of life for
all residents of Tinley Park by monitoring tenant conduct and, if necessary, providing a
mechanism to remove those problem tenants from their leased properties. Coordinator
Doug Alba oversees the program, which has been very successful since its inception in
2009. If you own a residential rental property (apartment building, single-family home,
condo or townhouse) and it is not certified in the program, please contact Doug Alba at
(708) 444-5342 or [email protected] for more information.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP-OFF CONTAINER
The Tinley Park Police Department, 7850 W. 183rd St., offers a prescription drug drop-off
site. The drop-off container is located near the front door and is available 24 hours a day. The
container is monitored via video surveillance cameras.
Residents should either remove their personal information from the prescription container or
place the pills in a Ziploc bag. Accepted items include prescription patches, medications and
ointments, as well as over-the-counter medications, vitamins and medications for pets.
For more information, call the Tinley Park Police Department at (708) 532-9111.
10
Emergency Management News
How to plan and prepare for emergencies
Recent events have shown us that being prepared and
having a plan should be a priority for everyone – you
never know when or where an emergency might hit you
or someone you know. The key is to be as prepared as
possible to respond or recover when these events take
place.
The Tinley Park Public Safety team’s mission is
to prepare, respond, mitigate and recover from
emergencies should they happen in our Village. The
men and women of the Village’s public safety agencies
take great pride in handling these events from start to
finish.
incident. From there, Tinley Park fire, police and EMS
personnel assess the level of severity and request additional
resources if necessary.
The entire process, it should be noted, is a team effort that
includes residents. It’s important that everyone has a plan
for an emergency. When preparing a disaster plan, keep the
following tips in mind:
Keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables
in a safe place.
Purchase a weather radio for your home to warn you of
impending severe weather.
It all starts with the thousands of hours that go into
planning and preparing for different scenarios that
might impact the Village. Plans are then reviewed by
the county, state and Department of Homeland Security,
and then tested daily with drills, exercises and realworld events. Everyone involved works together as a
team and within the guidelines of the National Incident
Management System.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing a first-aid
kit, nonperishable canned food, a hand-operated can
opener, bottled water, sturdy shoes, work gloves, a
battery-powered radio, a flashlight, extra batteries and
any special items for infants, elderly or disabled family
members.
An incident starts with a phone call to the Tinley Park
911 Command Center, where dispatchers assess the
emergency situation then direct resources to the
For more information, please visit www.ready.gov.
Also include in the kit written instructions on how to turn
off your home’s utilities.
Youth in Government
The Tinley Park Community Resources Commission’s Youth in Government program provides local high school students
an opportunity to learn about Village government structure and function while experiencing their municipal government
in action.
During the 2015 Youth in Government program, which was held in October and November, students from Tinley Park,
Andrew and Lincoln-Way high schools met one-on-one with an assigned village counterpart such as mayor, village
clerk, village trustees, the village manager and assistant managers, police and fire chief, village department heads and
village attorney, engineer and treasurer. The government officials gave students an overview of their responsibilities and
explained their respective functions and current projects.
After students attended and observed the Nov. 3 Tinley Park Village Board meeting, they ran a mock board meeting by
temporarily taking on the roles of the officials they interviewed.
For more information on the Youth in Government program, please email [email protected].
11
HOLIDAY
HAPPENINGS
in
Bundle up and come to Downtown Tinley
for a weekend of FREE events!
HOLIDAY MARKET
Friday, December 4 | 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 | 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 6 | 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Stop by the large, heated tent to shop for unique designs and creations
while enjoying live music by local groups and entertainers.
Children will have fun making holiday crafts.
Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 4 | 6:00 p.m.
Zabrocki Plaza
Arrive at 5:30 p.m. for a community
sing-a-long to holiday music.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
7270 W. 191st Street, Tinley Park
815-469-4400
www.massageenvy.com
12
Visit www.tinleypark.org or call 708-444-5678 for
the Holiday Market entertainment schedule.
Saturday, December 5
Tinley’s Toyland Parade
Photos with Santa
Step-off 11:45 a.m.
175th Street north to South Street
12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Children are encouraged to bring
an unwrapped toy, the collection center
will be located by the Holiday Market.
Tickets for complimentary photos
will be distributed until 4:30 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a
nonperishable food item to be donated.
Old-Fashioned Carriage Rides
Ice Carving Demonstration
12:30 - 5:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m. | Zabrocki Plaza
Carousel and Teddy Bear Rides
Campfire | South of Oak Park Avenue
Holiday Crafts | Old Zion Landmark Church
12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 6
Photos with Santa
Campfire | South of Oak Park Avenue
12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Tickets for complimentary photos
will be distributed until 3:30 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a
nonperishable food item to be donated.
Old-Fashioned Carriage Rides
12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Carousel and Teddy Bear Rides
Holiday Crafts | Old Zion Landmark Church
12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Parade of Lights
Step-off 5:00 p.m.
177th Street north to Oak Park Avenue
Enjoy festive floats, community groups,
local businesses and school bands with
our special guest from the North Pole.
This event brought to you by the
Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce.
13
Fire Department News
New Fire Alerting System
The Tinley Park Fire Department recently installed
and began using the Phoenix G2 Fire Alerting
System with peripherals that include illuminated
speakers in the ceilings in all rooms, message
signs with message remotes in all rooms and
hallways, and a strobe in the apparatus bay.
“With a population
approaching 60,000, we’re a
fairly large community,” said
Trustee T.J. Grady, who also
is Chairman of the Village’s
Public Safety Committee.
“Over the years, we realized
that the community had
outgrown its fire and
emergency safety alerting
systems and that it was time
for an upgrade.”
dispatchers see the benefit of what
automated dispatching can do for us.
Another thing that we changed in 2014 was our
CAD provider; the dispatchers really like the
integration and how the Phoenix G2 and OSSI
systems work together. It was pretty seamless,
and it works well.”
The new system will
help the fire department
continue to improve its
response time, Dunn said.
The old systems primarily
relied on voice pagers
and a second system that
integrated the pagers with
speakers and printers and
worked in conjunction with
the fire station’s seven-yearold computer-aided dispatch
(CAD) system.
While the visual alerts via
message signs are one of the
most notable improvements over the old system,
the decreased dispatch times and shorter “pushout” times have also been a great and welcome
improvement, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Kris
Dunn said.
“Our prior system required the dispatcher to take
the call, take down all of the information and
talk over the speaker, which meant putting the
caller on hold,” he said. “Now, we’ve got it down
to 13 seconds from taking the call to pushing the
button and sending the dispatch. Meanwhile, the
dispatcher can still talk to the caller and continue
to take down information.”
Lisa Kortum, Tinley Park’s Operations
Coordinator, echoed Dunn’s enthusiasm for the
new system.
“We’re pleasantly surprised at how efficient the
Phoenix G2 system has been,” she said. “Our
14
“The U.S. standard is
six minutes from call to
scene,” he said. “All fire
departments must have an
average six-minute response
time. Therefore we’re
looking for ways to shave off
time. Previously, it had been
roughly five minutes from
the time we took the call to
the time we dispatched and
were en-route. The Phoenix
G2 system gives us more
time to get to the apparatus
with more information at
hand. Our average response
time now is about 4.5
minutes. I think the whole
thing has been a really good experience.”
Tinley Park’s fire and emergency response
capabilities include four fire stations and five
ambulances that answer 2,600 annual fire calls
and perform roughly 5,000 EMS-related services.
The community employs 132 on-staff fire and
EMS professionals.
DANGER: Carbon Monoxide Kills
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that kills without warning. It claims the lives of hundreds
of people every year and makes thousands more ill. Many household appliances, such as gas and oil-burning
furnaces, portable generators and charcoal grills, produce this poison gas.
To keep your family safe, install battery-operated CO detectors near every
sleeping area in your home and check them regularly to be sure they are
functioning properly.
Following these important steps can keep your family safe:
• Have your home heating equipment inspected every year.
• Never use a gas-powered generator inside your home or garage, even if
doors and windows are open.
• Only use gas-powered generators and power washers outside and more
than 20 feet away from your home, doors and windows.
• Never use a charcoal grill inside.
• Never warm up a vehicle in the garage, as this is very dangerous. Always move the vehicle outside if you need
to warm it.
Visit the Tinley Park Fire Department’s page at www.tinleypark.org/fire for more information.
Fire Prevention Bureau Begins
New Fire Corp Program
help to get its message across,” Tinley Park Public
Education Coordinator Bill Proper said.
During the bureau’s initial enrollment, seven
people were selected to become charter members
of the Fire Corps program. The bureau then
held three nights of training before the program
officially began.
A new and exciting program has begun in the
Fire Prevention Bureau called Fire Corps Tinley
Park. The program has been in the works for
more than a year and was developed from a
nationwide program originating
from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).
“Look for these great people
with their distinctive blue shirts
at many of the Fire Prevention
events,” Proper said.
Fire Corps Tinley Park is a
volunteer program in which
members help Fire Prevention
Bureau staff deliver fire and life
safety messages to citizens of
Tinley Park.
“The Fire Prevention Bureau
has many events throughout
the year and is always in need of
Pictured (from left) are Fire Corps members
Mark Kruk, Patti LaVine, Denise Buchta,
Elaine Bergeron, Jackie Bobbitt, Ed Bara and
Fire Corps Coordinator Renee Grzeszkiewicz.
HOLIDAY
SAFETY
Enrollment will begin again
in 2016 on a date yet to be
determined. For more information
on the Fire Corps Tinley Park,
please call (708) 444-5200.
If you have an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled, certified or
identified as fire retardant.
If you buy a live tree, make sure it’s fresh. The needles should
be hard to pull off the branches.
To keep a live tree fresh, cut off about two inches of the trunk
for better water absorption, and make sure the tree has plenty of water.
Place the tree away from heat sources and high-traffic areas.
Check your tree lights for frayed or broken wires. Replace
when necessary.
Take care with candles. Place them away from flammable
decorations and in locations where they cannot be knocked
over or reached by children or pets. Never leave them
unattended.
15
STAY INFORMED
VILLAGE WEBSITE
The Village website at www.tinleypark.org provides residents with information on the latest news and events in town,
as well as project updates, Village Board meeting minutes and agendas, permit requirements and procedures, business
opportunities, links to local organizations and agencies, and much more.
COMMUNITY EMAIL
Receive the latest news about your Village directly in your email inbox every week. To
subscribe to this free service, visit the Village’s website at www.tinleypark.org and click
on the “Stay Informed” tab on the lower left.
TINLEY TV
Tinley Park Television broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Comcast Channel 4
and U-Verse Channel 99. The Village’s mission is to provide the residents of Tinley Park and
surrounding areas with quality local programing that is educational, informative and entertaining.
On Tinley TV, you’ll find a wealth of informative programs featuring Village news, upcoming
events, Village Board action items and government structure. You’ll also find lighthearted features
such as “Tinley Park Timeline” and “Pop Quiz,” both of which feature hundreds of fun factoids about the Village of
Tinley Park.
Visit www.tinleypark.org/TPTV to access a current program schedule, a comprehensive video archive that goes back
as far as 1983, and links to the Village’s official YouTube channel, where you can watch content that is playing or has
played on the station in the past. Tune in today!
TWITTER
For quick, easy-to-read notifications on Village news and emergency situations, follow the Village
of Tinley Park on its Twitter page at: www.twitter.com/tinleypark_IL.
16
Seniors on the Go
This year has been a busy one at the Tinley Park Senior Center. Making the best of great weather, seniors hit the road
for outings galore!
This summer, seniors saw great plays, tried their luck at the Four Winds Casino, and enjoyed a beautiful cruise on the
Chicago River and Lake Michigan, ending with a delicious lunch at the Greek Islands.
Come join the Senior Center’s growing membership for monthly bingo, movies, dominoes, luncheons, friendship and
fun! One day each month, a volunteer paramedic is available to check seniors’ blood pressure and help them monitor it.
Members also can bring home a fascinating read from the center’s book exchange – no due dates to worry about!
The Tinley Park Senior Center is located at 17355 S. 68th Court, Tinley Park (in the Public Safety Building) and is open
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, please call (708) 444-5150 during business hours.
Friends
Brick Paver Donor Program
and family of soldiers can honor their heroes by purchasing bricks
bearing personalized inscriptions that recognize the soldier’s service to our
country. These bricks are incorporated into the Gen. Patrick E. Rea Veterans
Plaza and provide a permanent tribute. Bricks ordered by March 1 will be
installed at the plaza in time for Memorial Day, and bricks ordered
by August 1 will be installed by Veterans Day.
Visit www.tinleypark.org/Pavers to download and print the form.
BUS SERVES SENIORS AND HANDICAPPED
Bus service for seniors and the handicapped is available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, excluding
holidays. Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance by calling (708) 532-7433. Fare is 65 cents each way with an
RTA-reduced fare card for riders age 65 and older or $1.30 per ride each way without the card. Fare for ages 55 to 64 is
$1.30 per ride.
Village bus service for medical appointments in Orland Park, Oak Forest and Mokena only is available from 9 a.m. to 2
p.m. Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays. Reservations for all medical appointment-related bus rides must
be made 48 hours in advance. Fare is 75 cents each way for those age 65
and older with the RTA-reduced fare card and $1.50 each way without the card. Fare for those ages 55 to 64 is $1.50 each way.
Cancellations must be made before 9 a.m. Reservations for trips to
Brookside Marketplace are preferred on Mondays. For safety reasons, a maximum of two grocery bags are allowed, and they must
be securely placed between the seats, on passengers’ laps or on the
floor between their feet.
17
Initial Independent Review of Water Meter Program Shows
No Systemic Overbilling; Recommends Policy and Procedure
Reforms To Improve Customer Responsiveness
Concerns raised about the operation and
accuracy of its “smart meter” program prompted
the Village of Tinley Park to engage West Monroe
Partners, a technical consulting firm, to conduct
an initial examination of the program, systemic
water billing trends, and individual customer
cases of “smart meter” malfunctions.
Water
meter mechanical breakdowns have
occurred and resulted primarily in no water
flow being measured and estimated bills being
used.
Department
procedures did not provide for a
uniform assessment of water meter complaints
or establish a consistent process to resolve
complaints, and improvements are needed.
The results of this initial report, which is titled
“Water Meter Assessment Project Results
and Recommendations” and is available on
the Village website at www.tinleypark.org/
DocumentCenter/View/2913, show that while
overall system accuracy has improved, residents
have experienced increasing water costs due
primarily to higher wholesale costs as opposed
to malfunctioning water meters. The portion of
the water bill charged by the City of Chicago has
increased by 187% over the last seven years.
These findings, which are described in extensive
detail in the West Monroe Partners report,
show that the use of digital display meters has
improved the overall accuracy of the Village’s
water meter system but that there remains a
clear need to develop more thorough policies
to proactively examine usage anomalies and to
effectively address customer complaints.
The
analysis indicates digital display meters
helped reduce overall variation in water bills.
The Village remains committed to determining
the facts, both system-wide and also with respect
to specific meters. The Village will be looking at
the replacement schedule for the old meters,
reviewing how detection of the high readings
can be improved and analyzing how resident
appeals are handled. Through this examination
of the water meter system elected officials and
Village staff will be able to develop policies and
procedures that will enhance billing accuracy
and customer service and ultimately restore the
confidence of residents in their water system.
The
term “meter spinning” was inconsistently
and inaccurately applied to describe different
mechanical problems with a small number of
smart meters.
Please watch for more information on this issue
in future Exchange publications, the weekly
Community Email, on the Village website at
www.tinleypark.org and on Tinley Park Television.
In summary, the initial findings by West Monroe
Partners show:
There
has been no systemic meter overbilling
for water use.
The
increase in water bills over the past decade
is due primarily to a higher wholesale price
charged by the City of Chicago water supplier.
18
SixWays
TO PREPARE FOR FALL AND WINTER
To help prevent flooding and home
backups, residents can assist by
removing leaves from the sewer
covers and inlets at their property.
Bag the fallen leaves, and don’t
rake or blow them into the street,
as this is unlawful.
During snowfall, all streets receive
two passes down the center of
the street by the plow to open the
neighborhood. After the entire
route has been run and the snow
has finished falling, the plow
returns to clean the street curb to
curb.
Be sure to check your mailbox
to ensure that it meets the U.S.
Postal Service requirements
that the front of the box should
not extend past the curb. The
Public Works Department will
not be responsible for mailboxes
damaged by a snow plow if it does
not meet these requirements.
The Public Works Department is
requesting that residents with a
storm sewer at their curb or fire
hydrant in the parkway “adopt”
them by removing leaves from the
sewer covers and removing snow
from around the hydrant.
For additional neighborhood
safety, please contact the
Public Works Department if a
neighborhood street light is out
or if the lens is broken, or use our
Public Works “Report a Concern”
module at www.tinleypark.org.
Use of the recycle station at the
Public Works Garage, 7980 W.
183rd St., is designated for noncommercial, Tinley Park residents
only. Check the Village website
for proper disposal of electronics,
paint cans, etc.
ASH TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Year Three will occur in fall 2016 and spring
Year One, which occurred in fall
2017 and will include work in the east quadrant
and any remaining planting needs.
2014 and spring 2015, is complete and
included areas throughout the Village
where ash and other trees were
removed prior to 2014, as well as
the west quadrant and portions
of the north quadrant of the
community as outlined in the
2014 EAB removal project.
The areas to be planted each year have
been prioritized based on several different
criteria, including the timing of the
removal, density of trees lost, stormwater
impacts and population.
For a tree replacement area map,
please visit www.tinleypark.org/
TreeReplacement.
Year Two (fall 2015 and spring
2016) is proceeding on schedule and
will include the south quadrant and
portions of the north quadrant.
19
COMMUNITY Projects
You’ve probably noticed some construction fencing and earth-moving equipment
at several sites around the Village. Here’s a preview of the new developments that
have been approved by the Village and are currently under construction.
Porter Place/Anthem Memory Care (Harlem Avenue and 179th Street) is a
residential memory-care facility with 66 units that are a combination of semiprivate and private rooms. There are common areas for dining, activities, a salon
and courtyards. The intended users of this facility are severely memory-impaired
adults needing care with skilled nursing.
Bickford Senior Living (80th Avenue and 173rd Place) is a 60-unit residential care
facility for seniors. The facility is a combination of 44 assisted-living units and
16 secure memory-care units with skilled nursing. There are common areas for
dining, activities, a salon and courtyards.
DaVita Dialysis Center (80th Avenue south of 167th Street) is a 6,700-squarefoot medical facility that will provide dialysis services to chronic kidney failure
and end-stage renal disease patients.
Relocating from 159th Street, The Great Escape (LaGrange Road south of 171st
Street) is a 40,000-square-foot retail facility that includes a large warehouse.
Bettenhausen Chrysler Dealership (159th Street and 84th Avenue) is a
46,000-square-foot automobile sales showroom and automotive repair facility.
This project includes the demolition of the building at the corner and the
renovation and expansion of the former Mazda building.
University Medical Center (Harlem Avenue and 163rd Street) is a renovation of
the former MB Bank building and the addition of two wings to create a medical
office building, including general medical office spaces and a physical therapy
unit.
Union Square Townhomes (Oak Park Avenue and 179th Street) includes four
townhome structures with parking at the rear in attached garages and features
decks above the garages. There will be 10 two-bedroom units and seven threebedroom units for a total of 17 single-family attached units.
Brookside Glen South, First Addition (south of Silverside Drive and Fairfield Lane)
includes 60 single-family detached residences, similar to the existing Brookside Glen
subdivision.
Brookside Meadow, Phase Two (west of Longmeadow Drive) includes 15 townhome
structures containing a total of 59 single-family attached units.
If you’d like to stay up-to-date on new projects planned for the Village, the agendas
and informational packets of the Plan Commission and Village Board are available
for downloading at www.tinleypark.org.
WHAT COMED'S
NEW SMART METER
BRINGS TO YOU
Eliminates nearly all estimated bills
Access to more energy usge informaton
Access to optional pricing programs
ComEd is installing 5,530 smart meters in
Tinley Park homes and businesses now through
December of this year as part of a larger meter
replacement program.
20
ComEd installed 404 meters in June, 1,787
meters in September and 72 meters in October,
with plans to install 3,267 meters in December.
Residents and business owners who are
scheduled for meter replacement this year
were notified through electric bill inserts
and a direct mailing.
For more information, please visit
www.ComEd.com/SmartGrid.
CODE COMPLIANCE - Learn more . . .
The Village receives many calls each year regarding
property maintenance issues. Many of these calls
have to do with grass that is too tall, unsightly
weeds, landscaping maintenance and overgrown
trees and shrubs. Other calls are about aesthetic
issues concerning the appearance of homes, external
structures and unclean pools.
Tall grass and weeds on a property can create the
appearance of neglect and is one of the easiest
problems to fix. If you employ a regular maintenance
and fertilizing program, you’ll notice the results
immediately. If you’re unable to maintain the lawn
and landscaping, a list of licensed and bonded
landscaping and lawn maintenance contractors is
available from the Village’s Building Department by
calling (708) 444-5100.
a lot easier, and your pool won’t be a breeding ground
for mosquitos.
Is your sump pump ejecting too close to the property
line? The code states the water cannot eject closer
than 10 feet to the property line. For gutters, it's
five feet.
The codes constitute minimum requirements for
premises and structures. Their intent is to ensure
the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
The Village has received more than 600 complaints
this year regarding code compliance issues. Most
complaints are remedied with a letter or other
notification, but sadly others are issued citations for
continued violations.
Will paint
Report a Concern
Is your
Residents who have questions or
concerns about an issue in their
or
stain
home
neighborhood can inform the
by visiting tinleypark.org,
appealing? do the trick? Village
clicking on the “Report a Concern”
module on the left, and filling out
a brief form.
Do
Problems that require urgent
attention
should
be
directed
to the appropriate
you
department during normal business hours:
have any Tinley Park Public Works Department, (708) 444-5500
Tinley Park Police Department, (708) 444-5300
broken Tinley Park Building Department, (708) 444-5100
Also, when closing the pool, make
public works emergencies on weekends and after
sure it’s clean. This will make the
windows? For
5 p.m. on weekdays, and for police non-emergencies,
If you haven’t taken
a good look at your
property in a while, now
is a great time to do so. Is
your home appealing or
appalling? Start from the
roof and work your way
down. Inspect the roof,
soffit, fascias, windows,
doors and siding. Will
a coat of paint or stain
work do the trick? Are there any
broken windows? Is the siding
damaged? What is the condition of
your fence?
process of reopening it in the spring
call (708) 532-9111.
Flood Insurance Rates and the Community Rating System
Many residents may not know that nearly two square miles of Tinley Park’s 16-square-mile area is covered by floodplain,
which is a low, flat land that is susceptible to flooding. A floodplain’s location and size are defined by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Properties located in the floodplain – also called the Special Flood Hazard Area – are typically required by their
mortgage lender to have a flood insurance policy. To help alleviate the cost of flood insurance for our residents, the
Village participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), which is a voluntary program developed by FEMA to reward
communities for exceeding the minimum requirements of the National Food Insurance Program (NFIP). The Village’s
participation in the CRS program earns Tinley Park residents a discount on their flood insurance policy.
For more information on floodplain management or the CRS program, please visit www.fema.gov or see the Village’s
website www.tinleypark.org/FloodInfo. Contact the Village’s Planning Department at (708) 444-5100 if you have any
questions.
21
RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRONICS
Former Mayor
Zabrocki
Receives Public
Service Leader
Award
Former Tinley Park Mayor Edward J. Zabrocki
recently received the International Leadership
in Public Service Award from the International
Economic Development Council (IEDC). This
award annually recognizes one elected official
who has served as a committed advocate for
economic development for at least 10 years in
the public sector.
“This award not only recognizes 34 years of
outstanding leadership from Ed Zabrocki, but
also acknowledges the commitment of Tinley
Park citizens to support a strong economic
development effort,” IEDC President Jeff Finkle
said.
Under Ed Zabrocki’s leadership, Tinley Park grew
from a bedroom community of 26,000 people to
a thriving, economically diverse community of
58,000 and is now the 20th largest municipality
in Illinois. In 1981, there were 320 local
businesses in Tinley Park. Today, there are 1,400
businesses.
During the mayoral tenure of Ed Zabrocki, Tinley
Park maintained a credit rating in the top five
Percent of all U.S. municipalities, as well as
became the only municipality in the nation to
receive the following awards:
 America’s Best Place to Raise Kids Bloomberg Business Week
 National Winner for Economic Development
Excellence - U.S. Department of Commerce
 Award for Municipal Economic Development
Excellence - National League of Cities
 Excellence in Economic Development
Leadership and Innovation - CoreNet Global
 Accredited Economic Development
Organization - IEDC
“I can’t think of a more appropriate person to
win this award,” current Tinley Park Mayor
David G. Seaman said. “He’s been a staunch
proponent of economic development since his
first day in office.”
There are a plethora of local recycling centers that take all kinds
of waste products, from batteries and cell phones to motor oil
and medical waste.
To find a recycling center, visit www.willcountygreen.com, click
on “Green Guide” on the upper left and then “Green Guide
Database.” The list is comprehensive and includes (but is not
limited to) information on recycling:
 Appliances
 Batteries
 Books, paper and gift cards
 Cell phones
 Clothing, linens and shoes
 Cooking oil and grease
 Electronics
 Fire extinguishers
 Fluorescent lights
 Furniture
 Medical waste and
medicines
 Metals and plastics
 Motor oil
 Hazardous waste
 Packaging materials
 Printer and toner cartridges
 Styrofoam and polystyrene
 Tires
For more information on e-waste law and a complete list of
registered recyclers, collectors and refurbishers, visit the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s website at
www.epa.state.il.us or call (800) 782-7860. Alternately,
you can visit www.tinleypark.org/recycle.
2015 HOLIDAY ORNAMENT
The 2015 edition of the Tinley Park Historical Society’s Historic
Ornament Series features John’s Best Rest
Cabins/Jardine’s Corner, which once sat
at 159th Street and Oak Park Avenue.
The holiday ornament costs $8 and
is available at the Village Hall during
business hours. Ornaments also will
be sold during the Village’s annual
Holiday Market from Dec. 4 to 6.
The 2014 ornament also is available and costs
$8. The Village is offering back issues from 1989-2013 at a
discounted price of $3.
22
Awards
2015 Business
Recognition
Strong Economy, Planning
Benefits Homeowners and
Businesses
According to speakers at
the annual Economic and
Commercial Commission
Business Breakfast, the past
year has resulted in more jobs,
more businesses and a healthier
economy for Tinley Park.
“Our long-term commitment
to a sensible economic
development plan has kept
Tinley Park strong,” Tinley Park
Mayor David G. Seaman said
during the event. “This plan has
worked for over four decades,
encouraging diversity, quality
and significant benefits to our
homeowners.”
More than 300 area business
leaders attended informative
presentations on the state of
the Village’s business climate
and the regional economy as
a whole. Rick Mattoon of the
The following businesses were honored by the
Economic and Commercial Commission
for their special longevity anniversaries:
125 Years
Federal Reserve Chicago pointed
out economic challenges in the
region and state.
“Compared to surrounding
states, Illinois has slower
jobs growth and is losing
population,” Mattoon said. “The
uncertain fiscal conditions with
the state and city of Chicago
will adversely affect economic
growth, and must be addressed
soon.”
Mattoon also pointed out the
significant economic advantages
of communities like Tinley Park.
“Tinley Park and other thriving
Illinois municipalities are wellmanaged, fiscally strong and
promote the advantages of
market, location, diversification
and human capital,” he said.
Stromberg Allen and Company
60 Years
Panduit Corporation
50 Years
Johnny’s Body Shop
Tinley Park Roller Rink
40 Years
Apple Chevrolet
Herman’s Auto Service
Tinley Bowl
30 Years
Mr. G’s Furniture
Orland Toyota
Visser’s Collision Centers
25 Years
American Graphic Systems
Counseling Care
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Guardi’s Pizza
Heather’s Haus Florist
Innovative Decks
Lisa Thomas Salon
Shear Express
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Remember that Saturday, Nov. 28 is Small Business Saturday – a day
to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for the
community. Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to
patronize brick-and-mortar businesses that are small and local.
Small businesses have provided 55% of all jobs and 66% of all net
new jobs since the 1970s. While overall sales growth is up for all
retailers, sales for companies with less than $5 million in revenue is
down in recent years, so Small Business Saturday can provide smaller
businesses with a much-needed boost.
As a consumer, you can help Tinley Park small businesses simply by shopping with them year-round or at least on Small
Business Saturday every year. You can also help promote the idea by sharing where you shop on Twitter, Instagram and
Facebook, as well as using social media to “promise to #ShopSmall.”
The best way to keep your taxes low and to help your
neighbors keep local jobs is to shop your hometown.
Shop Tinley Park … it’s great for all of us.
23
The Village offers a convenient
online utility payment service to all
Tinley Park residents. To take
advantage of this free service, visit
www.tinleypark.org, look for the
“Utility Bill Pay” link
on the lower left and then follow the
easy onscreen directions.
ONLINE
PAYMENT
Sign Up Today
By completing a form available
on the Village’s website at www.
tinleypark.org, or by obtaining it
from the 911 Center, residents can
have their address flagged with
the particular special needs of
themselves or a family member.
SPECIAL NEEDS
REGISTRY
Sign Up Today
Tinley Park residents can inform
the Police Department about
overnight street parking requests by
visiting www.tinleypark.org
and clicking on the “Overnight
Parking Requests” quick link on the
right side of the home page.
OVERNIGHT
PARKING
Sign Up Today
24
Illinois Passes Bill to Attract
Out-of-State Events to
Convention Center
Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed Senate Bill 508, a tourism promotion bill that will provide grants to assist the Tinley
Park Convention Center and other mid-size convention centers in Illinois in pursuing more events and trade shows
currently held out of state.
These grants, which will be self-funded via revenue generated from the events, are part of a five-year pilot program and
will be provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The grants will not exceed $200,000
annually.
“This grant money will help Tinley Park attract out-of-state conventions, which will in turn generate more revenue for the
Village via new visitors who will buy our gas, shop in our stores, eat at our restaurants and stay in our hotels,” Tinley Park
Mayor David G. Seaman said. “I’d like to thank Sen. Mike Hastings, Rep. Al Riley, Rep. Margo McDermed, Rep. Bob Rita,
Sen. Bill Cunningham and Sen. Emil Jones III for their support for this bill on the state level.”
Officials said the grant money could help bring conventions and conferences from elsewhere in the country to Illinois by
helping to lower group rates on hotel rooms or offering transportation incentives.
“Other states currently have similar programs that allow them to aggressively pursue out-of-state conventions,” Village
Manager Dave Niemeyer said. “This grant program will help level the playing field and allow Tinley Park to competitively
pursue these very same conventions.”
The bill states that qualifying facilities must be owned by a local unit of government or convention center authority and must
have between 30,000 and 125,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, criteria which the Tinley Park
Convention Center meets. Other qualifying facilities include centers in Schaumburg, Peoria and Lombard.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, April 9, 2016
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tinley Park Convention Center
The best place to find
everything Tinley Park and the
surrounding area offers you.
It's Turkey Time: Safely prepare your holiday meals
Holidays are times we share the kitchen with family and friends. It’s important to remember that foodborne
outbreaks occur most often in November and December, and meat and poultry accounts for 92% of outbreaks
with an identified single food source. Make it a goal this year to also share good food safety practices.
Here are simple tips that all cooks in the kitchen can follow this holiday season for cooking a delicious and safely
prepared turkey. When preparing a turkey, be aware of the four main safety issues: thawing, preparing, stuffing
and cooking to the adequate temperature.
Safe Preparation
Safe Thawing
Bacteria present on raw poultry can contaminate your
hands, utensils and work surfaces as you prepare the
turkey. If these areas are not cleaned thoroughly before
working with other foods, bacteria from the raw poultry
can then be transferred to other foods. After working
with raw poultry, always wash your hands, utensils
and work surfaces before they touch other
foods.
Thawing turkeys must be kept at a safe
temperature. The “danger zone” is between
41°F and 135°F — the temperature range where
foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly. Plan ahead.
Allow approximately 24 hours for each four to
five pounds in a refrigerator, and place
the turkey in a container to prevent
the juices from dripping on other
foods. There are three safe ways
to thaw food: in the refrigerator,
in cold water, and in a microwave.
Safe Cooking
Set the oven temperature no lower
than 325°F and be sure the turkey is
completely thawed. Place turkey breastside up on a flat wire rack in a shallow
roasting pan 2 to 2-1/2 inches deep. Check
the internal temperature at the center of the
stuffing and meaty portion of the breast, thigh
and wing joint using a food thermometer. Make
sure your thermometer is calibrated before use. The
food thermometer must reach a safe minimum internal
temperature of 165°F.
Safe Stuffing
For optimal safety and uniform
doneness, cook the stuffing outside the
turkey in a casserole dish. However, if you
place stuffing inside the turkey, do so just before
cooking, and use a food thermometer. Make sure the
center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal
temperature of 165°F.
Village Board and Commission/Committee Meetings
The following are the times and days of the month when the Village Board and volunteer commssions meet.
The Village Board and Commissions meet at the Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Avenue.
The Police Department Committees meet at the Tinley Park Police Department, 7850 W. 183rd Street.
Village Board
Regular Meeting
8:00 p.m., first and third Tuesday
Committee of the Whole 7:30 p.m., second Tuesday
Crime Prevention
D.A.R.E.
S.A.L.T.
Committees
7:00 p.m., second Wednesday
7:30 p.m., third Wednesday,
October - April
1:00 p.m., first Monday
February - December
Commissions
Civil Services
Community Resources
Economic and Commercial
Environmental Enhancement
Long Range Plan
MainStreet
Senior Services
Sister Cities
Veterans
Zoning Board of Appeals
26
7:00 p.m., first and third Monday
7:30 p.m., second Wednesday
6:30 p.m., second Monday
7:00 p.m., third Tuesday
7:30 p.m., first and third Thursday
6:00 p.m., third Wednesday
3:00 p.m., first Wednesday
7:00 p.m., third Wednesday
7:00 p.m., second Wednesday
second and fourth Thurday,
as required
VILLAGE OF TINLEY PARK
David Seaman...............................................................................................Mayor
Patrick Rea.........................................................................................Village Clerk
Brian Maher................................................. Finance and Economic Development
T.J. Grady...........................................................................................Public Safety
Michael Pannitto............................................................ Building and Compliance
Jacob Vandenberg..................................................................Planning and Zoning
Brian Younker....................................................................................Public Works
Bernard Brady................................................... Budget, Audit and Administration
David Niemeyer............................................................................Village Manager
Michael Mertens...........................................................Assistant Village Manager
Steve Tilton...................................................................Assistant Village Manager
Thomas Melody............................................................................Village Attorney
(Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, Ltd.)
Christopher King.......................................................................... Village Engineer
(R.W. Robinson & Associates)
Brad Bettenhausen.......................................................................Village Treasurer
Steve Neubauer................................................................................... Police Chief
Ken Dunn........................................ Fire Chief and Fire Prevention Administrator
Patrick Carr...................................................................................... EMA Director
Ivan Baker.......................................................... Economic Development Director
Amy Connolly.............................................................................Planning Director
Donna Framke.......................................................................... Marketing Director
Bill Balling............................................................. Interim Public Works Director
Don McNeely....................................................................... Building Commission
Gerry Horan.................................................................Human Resources Director
TINLEY PARK VILLAGE HALL
16250 S. Oak Park Avenue | (708) 444-5000 | www.tinleypark.org
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays
VILLAGE BOARD MEETINGS
Held at 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of every month at Village Hall.
The public is welcome. Published in spring, summer and fall/winter.
Articles may be submitted to the editor at Village Hall. Editor: Jason Freeman
One requirement of effective, responsive government is the continuous flow of
communication of every kind between the citizens and their elected representatives.
Our purpose is to facilitate the Exchange.
27
The Exchange
PRSRT STD
ECRWSS
U.S. Postage
c/o The Village Hall
16250 S. Oak Park Avenue
Tinley Park, Illinois 60477
DATED MATERIAL
PAID
Tinley Parik, IL
Permit No. 34
Postal Patron
Tinley Park, IL
HOLIDAY
HAPPENINGS
in
Bundle up and come to Downtown Tinley
for a weekend of FREE events!
December 4, 5 and 6