`Discover Tinley` at the expanded Convention Center

Transcription

1139874 TP Exchange Spring_Exchange 3/17/11 2:01 PM Page 1
Spring 2011
Inside
this
issue…
Update on
new station
13
Abatements
explained
10
183rd Street
gets award
8
Join our
e-mail list
17
‘Discover
Tinley’
at the
expanded
Convention
Center
(see pages 14-15)
From the Mayor’s Office
See the new Convention Center at ‘Discover Tinley’
T
his year’s Discover Tinley
expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 2, has a
very special attraction this year—
the location of the expo itself,
Mayor
Edward J. Zabrocki
the newly expanded Tinley Park
If the weather and other construction factors cooperate,
it is possible that commuters will be able to use a
completed station by the end of this year. However,
construction of the pedestrian underpass will begin
in January of 2012, so the entire project will not be
completed until summer 2012.
We appreciate the patience of commuters who are
adjusting to changes in their routines due to construction
interruptions. To stay updated on how continuing
construction will affect you, please subscribe to our
Community E-mail program by visiting our website
at www.tinleypark.org.
Convention Center.
We are inviting the community to stop by and take
a look at the new Convention Center while enjoying
everything else Discover Tinley offers. We are very
proud of the new facility and know it will increase
our competitive edge in the regional meetings,
conventions and events marketplace.
The expansion has added 24,000 square feet of exhibit
space to the facility, bringing the total contiguous
exhibit space to over 58,000 square feet. Another
9,000 square feet of functional meeting space will
bring the Convention Center’s breakout room count
to 18, with potential Junior Ballroom configurations
of up to 11,500 square feet.
Additional expansion amenities include high-efficiency
exhibit space lighting, built-in concession stand, wi-fi
connectivity throughout the facility, a full-service
business center, new loading docks and storage areas,
and an additional 450 parking spaces, bringing the
total of free parking spaces to 1,500.
After the Village undertook several feasibility studies
and financial analyses to determine the need for an
expanded Convention Center, the Village Board
moved the project forward to retain and enhance
its competitive edge. The expansion has already
stimulated the regional economy by providing jobs
in the construction phase, and it will continue to
provide jobs in the regional hospitality sector.
80th Avenue Train Station Update
There are now more visible signs, such as foundation
work, that our new 80th Avenue train station is becoming
a reality. Although our commuters at times may have
been bewildered at what seemed like just a lot of mud
and fencing during winter construction, the utility
and excavation work that took place was the vitally
important preparation for building of the station itself.
2
183rd Street Award
After the newly extended 183rd Street opened in
November, we were pleased to learn that the project
won an award from the Southwest Branch of the
American Public Works Association. The Village worked
closely with Cook County, Robinson Engineering and
the contractor, Concrete Structures, toward a successful
conclusion of the project. Congratulations to them and
to the area residents who provided us with many good
ideas and lots of patience while the project was being
planned and constructed.
Blizzard of 2011
Many thanks to our residents for their patience and
cooperation as all Village departments responded to
February’s third largest snow storm in Chicagoland
history. We got through it with no loss of life or serious
injuries, and our Public Works Department did an
admirable job of keeping our streets open and safe as
quickly as possible.
Thanks and Welcome
I would like to thank Mike Bettenhausen, who resigned
from the Village Board in December because of business
commitments. With his many talents and innovative
ideas, Mike did an outstanding job as a Trustee. We
welcome new Trustee T.J. Grady to the Village Board.
Discover Tinley
Again, please remember to learn more about everything
our town offers at Discover Tinley from 10:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at our expanded
Convention Center.
And while you are out and about, don’t forget to
SHOP TINLEY!
Latest census count reflects Tinley Park’s growth
T
Thus, the good news, as reported by the census, is that
Tinley Park continues to grow and is in a virtual tie with
Orland Park for the largest south suburban community
after we have passed all others, including Oak Lawn.
he late winter and early
spring of 2011 is full of
interesting information
and some exciting news for the
Village of Tinley Park. Allow
me to share a few items of that
information with you.
Village Elections
Allow me to encourage you to remember to vote on April 5.
Elections will be held for the Village government, Library
Board and Park District Commissioners. Your vote is very
important to let the government officials know your feelings.
Patrick E. Rea
Village Clerk
United States Census
I am pleased to say in 2010, the
Village of Tinley Park continues
with an unbroken 140-year-old record of growth.
Early voting for our Cook County residents began on
March 14 and can be done in either the Orland Park
Village Hall, 14700 Ravinia in Orland Park, or the Oak
Forest City Hall at 15540 South Central Avenue in Oak
Forest. Will County residents have early voting on the
same dates, but they will be voting at the Tinley Park
Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Avenue. Again, your
vote is your special badge of citizenship.
A brief history of dicentennial census for Tinley Park: In
1853, Tinley Park was platted on June 3 as the Village of
Bremen. At the beginning of the Civil War, our population
was most likely less than 150 people, but we still provided
a Congressional Medal of Honor Winner to our nation in
the person of Private Henry M. Hardenburg.
Vehicle Stickers
Tinley Park vehicle stickers for cars, trucks and motorcycles
will go on sale Friday, April 1, at the Tinley Park Village Hall
and are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Village Hall is located at 16250 South Oak Park
Avenue. Stickers may also be purchased at the Tinley Park
Police Department, 7850 West 183rd Street. The Police
Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
By 1870, the town had a registered population of
164 citizens and it took up to the mid-1920s to crack
the 500 citizen mark. At the beginning of World War II,
1,140 citizens were counted, but 10 years later, we had
grown by more than 100 percent to 2,330 citizens.
Our growth trend line has remained steep, up to the 2010
number of 56,703 citizens in both Cook and Will County.
A 17.2 percent increase since 2000 makes our community
one of the fastest growing in this part of Illinois, with the
Will County side of Tinley Park leading the way.
I am happy to report that in 2010, we reached an all-time
high in vehicle stickers with 34,888 stickers sold. Vehicle
sticker revenues are directly tied to Village street maintenance
and, in this case, you can really see your fee dollars at
work. Last year we were at an all time high with on-time
payments. We sincerely hope we can do that again in 2011.
It is worth comment to note that in 2007, the Village
conducted a special census which resulted in higher numbers than appropriate. That particular census, for the first
time, used only modeling estimates based on an approximate 30 locations in the town rather than the usual doorto-door head count. It is interesting to note that this modeling technique was used in other special censuses conducted in northern Illinois and Indiana, which failed to
result in increased head counts at all the special census
communities. We have tested that special census data with
other information to include school enrollments, vehicle
sticker sales and home foreclosures, none of which would
indicate even minor population
contraction.
Finally, a note of congratulations. The year 2011 marks the
30th consecutive year of Mayor Zabrocki’s election to public
office in our Village. In 1981, he began his service as a Village
Trustee and, from that date until now, we have profited from
his thoughtful leadership and insightful style. Ed Zabrocki
has received more regional, national and international
recognitions that any other incumbent Mayor in the south
suburbs and almost in the State of Illinois. The Village
Clerk’s staff is pleased to extend a special congratulations
to Mayor Zabrocki for his 30 years of service.
Let us know about deployed soldiers
The Village of Tinley Park is grateful to local soldiers
serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and is seeking information on them so they can be officially welcomed
home when on leave or returning.
Family members, community organizations or
churches with information on soldiers currently
serving in combat areas may contact Judy Bruning
at 708-444-5021 or [email protected]. Also,
please contact her if you know of a soldier coming
home to the immediate area. If time permits, the
Village will hold a “welcome home” reception.
The public can attend these receptions, which are
posted on our website at www.tinleypark.org.
The following form may also be faxed to the
Village Hall at 708-444-5099 or mailed to
16250 S. Oak Park Avenue.
Soldier’s Name and Rank
Unit Number
APO AE/FPO AP
Name of Person Submitting Information
Phone Number of Person Submitting Information
Additional Comments or Information_______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3
Seeing opportunity
in current economy
Health grant
helps community
The year 2011 has started and
change is in the air!
he Village is proud to
announce that we are the
recipient of a $116,000 grant
from the Cook County Department
of Public Health and the Public
Health Institute of Metropolitan
Chicago from the Model
Communities grant program.
T
W
ith the resignation of
Mike Bettenhausen from
the Village Board last
Trustee
December (my congratulations and
David G. Seaman
thanks to Mike for his service and
for being a great asset to the Board,
Finance and
Economic Development a great Tinley Park businessman and a
Committee Chair
good friend), I have assumed the
role of Finance and Economic
Development Committee Chair. This Committee of the
Village Board seeks to strengthen the financial strength of
the Village by continued diversification of revenue
streams using the tools of economic development to
assure long-term financial stability of the Village.
Trustee
Gregory J. Hannon
Planning and Zoning
Committee Chair
This program is supported by
funding from a federal initiative,
Communities Putting Prevention to Work, administered by
the Centers for Disease Control. The Model Communities
grant will be used on several policy initiatives to improve
the health and wellness of residents of the
Village of Tinley Park.
“Tinley Park was one of only
40 communities that received
The largest part of the
funding from this grant, out
grant will be used to
of over 140 applicants.”
create a Tinley Park
Wellness Plan with the
cooperation of large
community institutions like the Village, Tinley Park-Park
District, Tinley Park Public Library, school districts and
much more.
Our indicators of success are bond ratings (AA+), which
assure the Village access to capital at reasonable interest
rates, an attractive business climate that supports both
new and existing businesses (18 new businesses have
opened in Tinley Park in the past quarter) and taxation
levels that assure both business and residential citizens a
good value for the level of service received.
Diversification of revenue streams has served us well
through the last recession. Although the Village continues
to weather the economic challenges, it has done so by
reducing expenses in the largest area of expense – personnel.
Fortunately, retirements have created the opportunity to
reduce staffing costs while avoiding the pain of layoffs
experienced by other communities.
Tinley Park was one of only 40 communities that received
funding from this grant, out of over 140 applicants. This
program builds upon a $5,000 Model Communities grant
received by the Village in 2010 to create policy changes at
the Village. That small grant was successful in launching
several policy initiatives, including a new Complete
Streets Policy that will be considered by the Village Board
this spring.
But not unlike most households, the Village has used
this period of retrenchment as one of opportunity –
how to do our jobs with fewer resources. This has been
demonstrated on many occasions, most recently our
management of snow removal during the blizzard of 2011.
Despite decreased staffing, the response was effective and
efficient, a tribute to the men and women of Public Works
who not only worked the storm but to our mechanics who
assured that the equipment was reliable and dependable.
Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan
This winter, the Planning Department is working with
several neighboring communities on the Harlem Avenue
Corridor Plan. This planning effort engages communities
along Harlem Avenue from Bedford Park to Tinley Park in
a regional effort to improve the transportation, economics
and aesthetics of the corridor.
This teamwork effort was demonstrated by interdepartmental
cooperation. When travel with our rear-wheel drive police
vehicles proved difficult, four-wheel drive vehicles from
the fire service were utilized to meet citizen needs. The
activation of the Emergency Operations Center assured
that all Village resources were available when and where
needed.
In December, the Village encouraged residents to participate
through a survey on transportation issues and we received
over 170 responses to the survey. Watch this spring for a
resident survey on urban design, which will be available at
www.harlemcorridor.com. We expect the study to wrap up
in spring of 2012 with a full report on methods to improve
and enhance Harlem Avenue. These are big changes from
when Harlem Avenue was a two-lane gravel road.
Continued creativity and innovation in service delivery
in all Village areas will be explored utilizing new processes
and new technology to assure the best value for the
taxpayer dollar in the near and long term.
The Village’s Downtown Legacy code is being finalized by
the Village Planning Department and we anticipate
launching the effort to adopt those new codes this spring.
The new code is a form-based code that will create a better
understanding of the regulations for the downtown and
will reduce the development review times required by the
Village to approve new projects. Watch for the new draft
codes in April.
Business retention and growth continue to challenge the
Village as well as the economy at large. As a home rule
community, the Village of Tinley Park has a number of
tools that it can use to help facilitate business, the most
important being a climate of communication and cooperation. Business is a partner and together, the Village can
continue to be one of the best places in which to live and
run a business.
continued on page 7
4
Village survives
historic snowstorm
Lessons, successes
during blizzard
O
T
n February 1 and 2,
Tinley Park, along with
the entire Chicago area,
was hit with one of the worst
snow storms in its history.
he Blizzard of 2011 is only a
memory now, but it provided
all Village departments with
ideas and lessons that will prove
valuable in the future.
Tinley Park received an estimated
18 inches of snow and drifts up to
six feet in some areas. The snow
Public Safety
Committee Chair
was accompanied by fierce winds
that gusted to 50 to 60 mph and
reduced visibility to zero at times.
The storm was powerful enough to produce vigorous
updrafts, resulting in lightning, thunder and small hail.
Trustee
Brian S. Maher
Trustee
Thomas Staunton Jr.
We appreciated the overwhelmingly
positive responses we received from
numerous residents during and in
Public Works
Committee Chair
the aftermath of the storm. We also
understood the frustration that
some residents experienced when their streets or cul-desacs couldn’t be cleared as quickly as desired.
Our Public Works Department commits itself to expected
service levels in response to snow. Although this storm
was enormous, dumping an estimated 18 inches on Tinley
Park, we missed that expected level of service on only two
categories. Here is the breakdown:
The State of Illinois, Cook and Will Counties made disaster
declarations. Due to solid preparation and planning and the
hard work, compassion and dedication of our employees
and volunteers, no serious injuries, loss of life or major
equipment damage occurred during this incident.
䡲 Arterial and collective streets were cleared in 12 hours;
䡲 Commuter parking lots were cleared in 12 hours
(mostly unused train lots were a lesser priority);
䡲 Cul-de-sacs were cleared in 52 hours (missed service
level by four hours); and
䡲 Residential side streets were cleared curb to curb in
42 hours (missed service level by four hours).
Although Public Works personnel worked continuously
throughout the storm and our equipment held up well,
the amount of snow and the necessity for a prioritized
approach to clear it did slow our response to some areas,
particularly cul-de-sacs. A post-storm review of our
response considered whether contracted services to help
with the cul-de-sacs, in addition to the $20,000 worth of
extra help the Village already brought in, would have
been helpful.
A meeting was convened on Monday, January 31, by the
Emergency Management Agency director with department
heads, Village administration and Board members to discuss
the forecasted snow storm. Each department provided a
summary of operations to be
implemented and a rundown
“Thank you to our
of equipment available. The
Village personnel for
Emergency Operations Center
was activated at 9:00 a. m.
their spirit of cooperaFebruary 1 and deactivated
tion...as well as to all
at 10:00 p.m. February 2.
our residents for their
patience and underDuring the course of the
event, some of our vehicles,
standing during the
including our squad cars, were
course of the storm.”
rendered unusable. The Fire
Department loaned available
SUVs to the Police Department for patrol. Some of the
police officers even provided their personal snowmobiles
to assist with stranded motorists.
All in all, Public Works did an excellent job making our
streets safe and usable as quickly as possible while keeping
a focus on crucial main roads and emergency response
needs. Unfortunately, during a storm of this intensity, we
are all at the mercy of the elements.
The Fire Department responded to 27 incidents, including
auto accidents, frostbite victims, elderly assistance, furnace
pilot light problems, assisting police in gaining building
entry, activated fire alarms and an unoccupied auto struck
by a train.
175th and Harlem Project
We are pleased that this long-anticipated Illinois
Department of Transportation project to realign the
intersection at Harlem Avenue and 175th Street is close
to becoming a reality.
An incident of this severity impacts virtually all Village
resources. Many lessons were learned in this incident. On
February 8, a debriefing was held with department heads,
Village administration and Board members to review the
response to the storm and use the information to address
any weaknesses. The areas of concern identified during
this exercise will be addressed to improve our response
in future incidents.
Many of you are familiar
“...the project to realign
with the unsafe alignment
the intersection at Harlem
currently at this intersecAvenue and 175th
tion, where 175th Street
Street...will
be completed
crosses Harlem in a stagin
approximately
70 days
gered, not straight, line. This
once it begins.”
sometimes causes confusion
among motorists traveling
in opposite directions on
175th. The realignment will remedy this problem.
Thank you to our Village personnel for their spirit of
cooperation during this trying event as well as to all
our residents for their patience and understanding during
the course of the storm and the subsequent cleanup.
The job has been awarded to Austin Tyler Construction
and a spring start is expected on the project, which will
be completed in approximately 70 days once it begins.
Don’t forget to stop by the Discover Tinley expo at the
newly expanded Convention Center on Saturday, April 2,
between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. It’s a great opportunity
to get loads of information about the services and products
Tinley Park businesses and organizations have to offer.
continued on page 7
5
Budgeting in
tough times
New trustee
eager to serve
the community
I
Trustee
Patricia A. Leoni
Budget and
Administration
Committee Chair
n order to ensure sound
budgeting practices during
times of fiscal stress while
maintaining core government
services, the Village Board continues
to take a conservative approach
toward spending and revenue
projections when preparing the
next fiscal year’s budget. This
practice has proven to be effective
during previous crises.
Trustee T.J. Grady
Building and
Compliance
Committee Chair
(Trustee T.J. Grady was appointed to
the Village Board in December to fill
the vacancy created by the resignation
of former Trustee Michael Bettenhausen,
who stepped down due to business
commitments. In his first article for
The Exchange, Trustee Grady
introduces himself to the community.)
I
moved to Tinley Park to begin my career as a police
officer because even then, our Village was highly
regarded among neighboring communities.
As a resident and a Village employee, I have developed
a great understanding of what we, as residents, expect
of our elected officials.
As always, we have been scrutinizing the budget in order to
continue responsible cost management, while maintaining
the level of services our community has enjoyed in the
past. Many cost-cutting measures implemented over the
past three years in both non-personnel and personnel
expenses will remain in place to continue operations
within budget. These measures have reduced our expenses
by several million dollars.
Whether it is a citizen’s concern or suggestion, a multiyear infrastructure project, a budget constraint, or
perhaps an event in Zabrocki Plaza for families to enjoy,
the ability to bring two sides together to collaborate on
what needs to be done is the basis for success. Through
the past 30 years as an officer, on various committees
within the village and my interaction with all of our
schools, I have been focused on understanding concerns,
negotiating and gaining compromise on issues large
and small. My volunteer work and involvement as a
coach demonstrates my willingness to give back to the
community.
The Village administrative team, working closely with
department heads and the Village Board, focuses on
crafting a budget that provides appropriation of sufficient
funds to cover expected expenses while also providing
public safety, emergency management, public works, road,
water and sewer services. This way, we have delivered
quality service with no increased expense to the taxpayers.
Costs have been controlled by:
䡲 Freezing of vacant
“Many cost-cutting
full-time and part-time
measures implemented
employee positions;
over the past three years
䡲 Reduction of summer
in both non-personnel
and holiday special
events;
and personnel expenses
䡲 Conservation of
will remain in place to
electricity, water, gas,
continue operations
fuel and supplies;
within budget”
䡲 Reduced tree replacement
program; and
䡲 Prioritization of expenses in road patching, sidewalk
repair and landscaping.
Due to careful financial planning, funding assistance from
other government agencies, and the Village’s excellent credit
rating coupled with low interest rates, we have continued
with important projects such as the Tinley Park Convention
Center expansion and the new 80th Avenue train station.
These projects not only improve the quality of life for our
community, but also have created many construction
jobs. Our road improvement and expansion projects have
also provided hundreds of jobs and welcome revenue for
local business.
This past December, I was proud to be sworn in as the
newest Trustee for the Village Board. I am excited for
this opportunity, but at the same time, I realize the
significance of becoming a representative of the
residents of Tinley Park.
The first step I took was to sit down with all the Village
departments for an overview of their current initiatives
and challenges. As chairman of the Village Board’s
Building and Compliance Committee, my immediate
goal is to familiarize myself with ongoing projects
such as the Convention Center expansion and the
construction of the 80th Avenue train station.
Long term vision
As a 30-year resident and Village employee, I have seen
this town develop into one of the premiere cities in the
state. I hope to continue the excellent work that my
predecessors and the current Village Board have done.
I intend to work with our staff and my fellow elected
officials to promote all of the great services and
opportunities that our Village has to offer. The economic
sense and stability this Village has demonstrated during
these difficult times needs to be continued.
The 183rd Street project, Harlem Avenue median
improvement, resurfacing of Oak Park Avenue, and new
lighting on 191st Street were almost entirely funded by
other government agencies. Although these projects
cost $13 million, the Village’s contribution was only
about 2 percent of that, with other government agencies
funding the rest.
I would like to thank Mayor Zabrocki and my fellow
trustees for providing me the opportunity to continue
to serve my community.
Completing these infrastructure projects, without raising
taxes or borrowing, is not only an enormous benefit to the
community, but also will continue to help our economy
recover.
6
continued from page 4
Seeing opportunity in current economy
Trustee David G. Seaman
Business retention, both large and small, can be difficult
as needs are varied. In an effort to identify new ways to
support small business, the Main Street Commission will
be requesting funding for a study to identify options available to help support Oak Park Avenue businesses, some of
whom face extraordinary property tax burdens relative to
other parts of the Village and other communities.
Convention Center and the 80th Avenue train station,
underscoring our confidence in the future and securing
revenue streams that will not put the taxpayers at risk.
In the private sector, we have witnessed new construction
and expansion on La Grange Road and anticipate new
construction at Brookside Glen as we had the opportunity
to facilitate and welcome additional services and retail.
Business development during a recession remains a challenge.
Access to private capital markets is difficult and those efforts
that succeed are due to the strength of the business owners
that see the opportunity and accept the risk. Not unlike
our business partners who have seen the opportunities
during these difficult times, the Village has undertaken
new construction projects, such as the expanded Village
In closing, the capacity to succeed in the good and
not-so-good times is, to a large degree, a function of the
confidence that the citizens have in their government.
We are indeed blessed in Tinley Park to have a supportive
citizenry and a cadre of public officials and Village staff
that are hard-working, talented and, most of all, care
deeply for Tinley Park.
continued from page 5
Lessons, success during
blizzard
Trustee Thomas Staunton Jr.
We are pleased that this $1,194,000
project primarily will be funded with
grants totaling $872,000. This means that
for every dollar the Village spends on the
project, we are receiving $4.82 from other
funding agencies. We have been fortunate
that funding ratios similar to this have been
utilized in many of our recent capital
improvement projects.
Congratulations
I would like to add my congratulations
to Cook County, Robinson Engineering
and contractor Concrete Structures for
receiving an award from the Southwest
Branch of the American Public Works
Association for the successful completion
of the project to widen and extend 183rd
Street from 80th Avenue to La Grange
Road. The cooperation between these
agencies and the Village was outstanding,
and it resulted in a better and safer road.
Discover Tinley
Don’t forget to stop by Discover Tinley
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday,
August 2, at the Convention Center to
learn more about what our great town has
to offer. Residents can get a “sneak peek”
at our newly expanded Convention
Center, too.
Village Board and
Commission/Committee Meetings
The following are the times and days of the month when the
Village Board and volunteer commissions meet.
The Village Board and Commissions meet at the
Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Avenue.
The Police Department Committees meet at
the Police Department, 7850 W. 183rd Street.
Village Board
Regular Meeting
Committee of the Whole
8:00 p.m., first, third and fourth Tuesday
7:30 p.m., second Tuesday
Commissions
Civil Service
Community Resources
Economic and Commercial
Environmental Enhancement
Historic Preservation
Long Range Plan
Main Street
Senior Services
Sister Cities
Veterans
Zoning Board of Appeals
7:00 p.m., first and third Tuesday
7:30 p.m., second Wednesday
7:00 p.m., third Monday
7:00 p.m., third Thursday
7:30 p.m., first and third Thursday
6:00 p.m., third Wednesday
3:00 p.m., first Wednesday
7:30 p.m., third Wednesday
second and fourth Thursday, as required
Committees
Crime Prevention
(no meeting in March and September this year)
D.A.R.E.
Seniors and Law Enforcement
Together
7:30 p.m., third Wednesday,
October-April
1:00 p.m., first Monday,
February-December
(no meeting in July and September)
7
State Sister Cities conference to be held in Tinley Park
By Randal Tietz, Chairman, Sister Cities Commission
The Tinley Park Sister Cities Commission will have
special visitors in town when it hosts the Illinois
State Sister Cities Conference 2011 on April 1 and 2,
during the Discover Tinley expo.
Indiana University, played a program of Chopin piano
pieces. Tinley Park is proud of our neighbors of Polish
descent and we enjoy the cultural threads they weave
into the fabric of our Village.
Forty Illinois communities have a total of 101 Sister
City relationships on every continent of the world.
The officers and members of these communities will
gather in Tinley Park for this important annual meeting.
Naturally, Discover Tinley will be one event for them
to enjoy. We hope our residents will have a chance
to meet these good friends of ours.
We have some sad news to report about the summer 2011
trip to Germany. The announced trip to Büdingen in July
of this year will not happen. We received a wonderful
invitation to be part of “Büdingen Mittelalterfest”
(Medieval Fest). The trip, we are sad to say, became a
victim of a bad economy, a weak dollar and uncertainty
in the world.
The Illinois Sister Cities group will convene at the Tinley
Park Village Hall for registration, enjoy the hospitality
of the Odyssey Country Club and meet at the newly
expanded Tinley Park Convention Center. We have
some of the best meeting facilities in Illinois right
here in Tinley Park. This year, folks from all over
the state will see how special our community is.
Now for more good news—the Tinley Park Sister Cities
Commission is in discussions with V.J. Andrew High
School about a student exchange. This program would
match German language students from Andrew with
students in Büdingen to expand educational opportunities
in both communities. Watch for more details and wish
us luck as we explore this wonderful opportunity.
We had a wonderful, but cold,
day in December when we
officially dedicated Chopin
Drive in Tinley Park. Mayor
Edward Zabrocki and Poland’s
Consul General, Zygmunt
Matynia, cut the ribbon to
officially open the street west
of the new Moraine Valley
Community College Southwest
Education Center. Immediately
after, we enjoyed a wonderful
concert in the Andrew High
School auditorium. Michael
Pecak, a brilliant young
musician who teaches at
Polish Consul General Zygmunt Matynia (left) and Mayor
Ed Zabrocki cut the ribbon opening Chopin Drive,
named to honor the 200th anniversary of composer
Fryderyk Chopin’s birth as well as the contributions of
Polish-Americans to the Tinley Park area.
Your all-volunteer Tinley
Park Sister Cities Commission
works all year to present our
community to the world. The
phrase, “world class,” really
applies to Tinley Park. If you
have any questions or want
more information, please
send an e-mail to
[email protected]
or call the Village Hall at
708-444-5000 during business
hours and leave a message for
the Tinley Park Sister Cities
Commission. We will get
back to you.
183rd Street project wins public works award
The 183rd Street reconstruction and extension project has been selected to receive a
Public Works Project of the Year Award from the Southwest Branch of the American Public Works Association.
The project is a winner in the transportation category for projects costing between $5 million and $25 million.
The APWA established the award to promote excellence in public works projects.
“The project included excellent collaboration between the Village, Cook County, the team from Robinson
Engineering, and the main project contractor, Concrete Structures,” said Mayor Ed Zabrocki. “Cook County’s
outstanding project management was a major factor in the success of the project.”
The project met the award criteria established by the APWA, including:
䡲 Good construction management techniques;
䡲 Completion of the project on schedule;
䡲 Safety performance;
䡲 Community relations;
䡲 Protection of the environment during construction;
䡲 Unusual accomplishments under adverse conditions; and
䡲 Exceptional quality control and construction innovations.
“The hard work and dedication to a job well done by everyone involved made it well worth the wait for the
project to be completed,” said Trustee Tom Staunton, chairman of the Village Board’s Public Works Committee.
“We now have a safer, efficient and attractive roadway.”
8
Credit rating maintains strength, draws low interest rate
economy,” said Mayor Ed Zabrocki. “In addition to the
costs of these projects coming in lower than we expected
because of the job-hungry construction industry, this
lower interest rate results in an overall cost savings for
the Village.”
Although facing an uncertain economy, declining revenue
and other budget constraints, the Village of Tinley Park
received good news at the end of 2010 about its strong
fiscal management and excellent credit rating.
Standard & Poor’s, a leading independent credit rating
service, has affirmed its AA+ rating on the Village’s
debt issues. This strong rating resulted in a subsequent
$14.2 million bond issue selling at a lower-than-expected
net interest rate.
The credit rating is a barometer of the Village’s financial
strength and allows it to issue general obligation bonds
at lower interest rates, ultimately benefiting the residents.
The rating was affirmed in part because of the wide
variety of revenue sources available to the Village,
although Standard & Poor’s noted that officials have
chosen not to impose several taxing options still open
to the Village such as home-rule sales, utility and
telecommunications taxes.
The bond issue will help pay for the new 80th Avenue
train station, the Tinley Park Convention Center expansion
and other infrastructure improvements. The bond issue
will not require an increase in taxes or fees for residents.
The Village received three formal bids for the bond sale
and accepted the one from BMO Capital Markets at an
interest rate of 3.51 percent, which offered the lowest
borrowing cost. The other bids reflected only slightly
higher interest costs and indicated the competitiveness
of the bond market.
Additional factors supporting the AA+ rating include:
䡲 Participation in the Chicago metropolitan
area’s deep and diverse local economy;
䡲 Large and growing property tax base;
䡲 Favorable economic indicators;
䡲 Strong financial operations with very strong
reserves; and
䡲 Moderate debt burden with a rapid
amortization schedule.
“The fact that we received three competitive bids in a
tight market and that we were offered a comparably low
interest rate confirms that Tinley Park is well-respected
for our financial management, even in this challenging
Society seeks historical items; facilities available for events
of old world
charm. The nondenominational
chapel is airconditioned and
can comfortably
accommodate
150 guests.
Wedding bells
will chime,
adding to cherished, lasting
memories.
The Tinley Park Historical Society was organized in
1974 and focuses on the research and preservation of
the history of Tinley Park and its environs.
The Historical Society is always looking for artifacts,
photographs and other materials, including letters,
deeds, postcards, calendars, old phone books, posters,
store gift items, newspapers, etc., that relate to the
Tinley Park area. We can make copies of photographs
so that contributors can retain the originals.
One of the two buildings in the Tinley Park
Historical Society’s museum and reference library
complex at 6727 W. 174th Street is a reproduction
of the Village of Tinley Park’s second school house
(1880) that later served as the first Village Hall
(1892 to1954).
The facilities
can be rented
for weddings,
baptisms, memorial services, etc. For information,
rates and details, call the Tinley Park Historical
Society at (708) 429-4210. You may also e-mail your
inquiry to [email protected].
Historic Landmark Wedding Chapel
and Banquet Hall
The Old Zion
Landmark, the
other building in
the complex, was
a Lutheran church
built in 1884. It
has beautiful
stained glass
windows and lots
Beginning in April:
New Hours
1:00 to 3:00 p.m., first Sunday of each month
and
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., every Wednesday
9
Tax levy abatements mean savings for residents
The total Village tax levy required to pay principal and
interest on the bonds was reduced or eliminated by the
amounts paid from other sources of money. The bonds
were issued to build the Convention Center, new Tinley
Park Public Library, and a number of water, sewer and
flood control projects.
The Tinley Park Village Board’s annual approval of tax
levy abatements saves residents hundreds of dollars on
an average property tax bill, a practice that has been
followed for 29 years.
While most of the area communities that had previously
offered tax rebate programs have either drastically
reduced or eliminated their programs, Tinley Park’s
abatement program is continuing at levels comparable
with prior years. The Village’s required levies to pay
outstanding bonds and interest are being reduced by
approximately $4.3 million, which translates into
reduced property taxes.
“These abatements are a benefit to all taxpayers of the
Village, both business and homeowner,” Mayor Zabrocki
said. “Abatements are more beneficial to the taxpayer
than most other municipal rebate programs. Also,
there are virtually no administrative costs.
“We are committed to managing our finances in a
manner that keeps our taxes as low as possible while
providing our residents with the excellent quality of
life they deserve,” he added.
“We believe that earmarking certain revenues each year
to pay our bonds helps to keep our property taxes lower,
and is a better practice than raising taxes and then giving
rebates,” said Mayor Ed Zabrocki. “That money should
stay where it belongs from the beginning—with our
residents.”
Tax Savings of Abatement for House Valued at:
Over the past 10 years, on average, the residential tax
savings generated by abatements on homes with a market
value between $150,000 and $350,000 is between $64
and $170. During this same period, homeowners have
received and benefited from cumulative savings of
between $762 and $1,939 on the Village portion of
their tax bill because of the abatements.
Due to the reduction of the required tax levy for debt,
the Village’s tax levy is $4.3 million lower than if abatements were not approved, reducing the Village tax rate
by an estimated .227 per $100 of Equalized Assessed
Value, and by an estimated .008 to the library rate.
Market
Assessed
$150,000
$34,000
$200,000
$50,000
$275,000
$66,000
$300,000
$77,000
$350,000
$90,000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Total
Average
80
65
69
78
67
56
52
47
123
125
$762
$64
118
95
102
115
99
82
77
69
165
167
$1,089
$95
156
125
134
151
130
108
101
90
226
230
$1,451
$124
182
146
156
176
152
126
118
105
247
251
$1,659
$145
212
171
183
206
177
148
138
123
288
293
$1,939
$170
‘Where’s My Rebate Check?’
Every so often, a resident will contact the Village Hall wondering why other area
communities issue tax rebate checks to their citizens and Tinley Park does not.
The philosophy of the Village’s tax abatement program can be summed up in the question, why should
the Village tax its property owners for something that the Village has the funds available to pay and can
pay from income sources other than property taxes?
The Village Board has long held that it is better fiscal policy not to tax in the first place than to tax
and then issue a rebate. As Mayor Edward Zabrocki has said, “We believe that earmarking certain
revenues each year to pay our bonds helps to keep our taxes lower, and is a better practice than raising
taxes and then giving rebates. That money should stay where it belongs from the beginning—with our
residents.”
The tax abatement program has no administrative costs to implement each year. Most tax rebate
programs generally require the municipality to incur additional administrative costs to receive the
rebate requests, perform calculations and verifications, and to process the tax rebate checks.
The tax abatement provides a greater total dollar benefit to Village property owners than most tax
rebate programs. Most of these programs only benefit owner-occupied residential homeowners.
However, the Village’s tax abatement process benefits all property owners including rental and
commercial business property.
Providing benefits to all property owners is not part of any other municipal rebate program in the area.
Including all properties helps to keep rents low (both residential and business) and promotes business
success.
In further proof of Tinley Park’s fiscal policy and planning that has been incorporated into its ongoing
abatement program, as the economic recession continues, most of the area communities that had
previously offered tax rebate programs have either drastically reduced or eliminated their programs.
10
Vehicle stickers available April 1; must be on cars by June 30
Vehicle stickers are available for purchase
beginning April 1, and residents are
reminded that the deadline is June 30
to display them on their cars.
Stickers must be displayed on any motor
vehicle operated by a Tinley Park resident
on a public street or highway within the
Village. Stickers must also be displayed on
any motor vehicle that is not in use, but
which is kept or stored within the Village.
Leased and company-owned vehicles are
also included.
Residents 65 years of age or older are
eligible for the senior citizens fee upon
presentation of a current driver's license
(one discount per driver's license or state
identification).
Vehicle stickers may be purchased at the following locations:
Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Avenue
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Tinley Park Police Department
7850 W. 183rd Street
Schedule of fees:
䡲 Passenger auto, van and recreational vehicle,
$25 before June 30, $45 after
䡲 Truck, one ton or less, $35 before June 30, $60 after
䡲 Truck, more than one ton, $55 before June 30, $95 after
䡲 Bus or taxi, $40 before June 30, $70 after
䡲 Motorcycle, $10 before June 30, $20 after
䡲 Senior citizen passenger auto, $1.50 before June 30, $3 after
䡲 Transfer fee, $2
Business Owners and Managers,
Developers, Brokers and Executives
You are Invited to the
Economic & Commercial Commission’s
Annual Business Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tinley Park Convention Center
Featuring Reports On:
State of the Village – Mayor Ed Zabrocki
Economic Development Report– Village Trustee Dave Seaman
Economic Trends Affecting Tinley Park – Village Clerk Patrick Rea
And this year recognizing
Mayor Ed Zabrocki’s
30 years of service to Tinley Park
RSVP to Joanne Carroll
708-444-5031
[email protected]
11
A message
from the Economic
and Commercial
Commission…
The best way to keep your
taxes low and to help
your neighbors keep local
jobs is to shop in your
hometown.
Shop Tinley Park...
it's great for all of us.
SHOP
TINLEY
PARK
First
‘Small Business Toolbox’ seminars slated
Registration is open for a series of business seminars sponsored by the
Tinley Park Economic and Commercial Commission and Moraine Valley
Community College.
Upcoming seminars held at the college’s Tinley Park campus,
179th Street and 94th Avenue, include:
䡲 April 13
Effectiveness, Ethics and Integrity in
Your Recruitment and Employment Practices
Learn the effectiveness of your hiring programs.
䡲 May 11
24/7 Networking: Using LinkedIn.com
Learn LinkedIn.com to increase your professional network
and sales potential.
䡲 June 8
Excel for Business: Unleash the Power
Moraine Valley staff will walk you through this dynamic program.
Seminars are $15 each and include a continental breakfast.
Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. and the seminar runs from 8:15 to
9:15 a.m. Further information is available by calling 708-974-2110.
Storefront project encourages new business
A cooperative effort between Tinley Park’s Economic
and Commercial Commission and four area high schools
has put new life into closed storefronts, with hopes that
it will encourage new business development.
Other “stores” include a smoothie shop, a bakery and
additional art galleries. The displays may be up until
early May, but students and property managers hope
they really don’t last long at all. Andrew student Patrick
Mungovan believes that because of their work, potential
renters will find the spaces much more appealing.
An idea to place art in store windows, proposed by
businessman Joe Esposito, intrigued the ECC, but a
tight municipal budget meant outside help was needed
to get the project off the ground.
Anna Marie Gepperth of Inland Property Management
is pleased with what the students have created.
Enter four high schools: Tinley Park, Rich Central,
Lincoln-Way North, and Victor J. Andrew.
“These displays are well-researched, well-planned and
well-executed,” she said. “This makes our center look
more exciting and more attractive, which is an important benefit when we show space to potential renters.
Inland is delighted to be a part of this project.”
“This project is a wonderful opportunity for our students
to experience a real-life business scenario and help our
Village. It’s a win-win,” said Cathy Wojcik, project
coordinator for Andrew.
Michelle Owens, the project coordinator for Rich Central,
agreed. “Being able to show the greater community how
talented our children are can only be a positive.”
The schools divided available space in Tinley Park, with
Andrew and Lincoln-Way North taking vacancies in the
Park Center on the southwest corner of 159th Street and
Harlem Avenue. Esposito worked with Rich Central to
complete displays at Tinley Square, 171st Street and
Oak Park Avenue. Khalil Khalil worked with Tinley Park
High School to fill his vacant space at 162nd and Oak
Park Avenue.
Student Francisco Garcia of Rich Central High School
explained how the process began.
“Sketches and lots of them,” Garcia said. “We did
Internet research on themes, measured the store and
then finalized the plans. I learned it takes more work
to do public art than classwork, which is more fun.”
Phil Labriola, Art Department Chair at Lincoln-Way
North, encouraged his students to solicit donations
to be used in their displays: a toy store, an art gallery
and a photography studio.
What looks like an inviting smoothie café is actually a creation
of Andrew High School business students at an empty storefront
at 159th Street and Harlem Avenue. The project is an effort to
encourage new business.
12
Train station building on track; could be open late this year
With the early, less noticeable construction stages of
Tinley Park’s new 80th Avenue train station mostly
complete, commuters now will see the real thing begin
to take shape as work starts to reconstruct platforms
and build the station.
two restrooms
and a fireplace.
Safety is of the
utmost importance whenever
a municipality
undertakes the
building of a
new train station.
Because comBreaking the ceremonial ground for the new
muters must
80th Avenue train station before construction
currently cross
got under way in November are (from left)
Village Clerk Patrick Rea, Metra Board
over the train
Director Willis Pennington, Mayor Ed
tracks to reach
the station or the Zabrocki, Metra Chairman Carole Doris, former Village Trustee Mike Bettenhausen, Brian
parking lot, the
Colgin of U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert’s office, Pat
Village will proBrosnan of Legat Architects, Joe Zosky of
vide safe passage ZCorp, and Metra Deputy Director Bill
with the addition Tupper.
of an underpass.
This will avoid
the chronic problem of pedestrians attempting to beat
the train, which can have deadly results. Of lesser
importance, but still desirable, is the convenience that
an underpass provides to commuters.
Dependent on weather and other construction variables,
the station and two warming shelters (one at the east
end of the south platform and the other at the midpoint
of the north platform) could be completed and ready to
use by the end of this year. The project will continue
with construction of the pedestrian underpass, expected
to begin in winter 2012 and be finished in summer.
With most of the past winter months spent on preliminary
underground utility work and excavation, contractors
are now turning their attention to the “meat” of the
project—construction of the station and new platforms.
The 5,400-square-foot brick station will include a clock
tower, full kitchen and Internet café, a great hall, a
covered drop-off area and veranda, three 320-square-foot
warming shelters, decorative lighting, general site
improvements including reconfigured parking stalls,
and native landscaping. Platform material will be
stamped asphalt, transitioning to brick pavers 10 feet
from the tracks. The interior will include booth seating,
It has been the Village’s highest priority to bring the
platforms into compliance with Americans with
Disabilities Act standards, and to make the platforms
safer and more accessible for all commuters. The platforms
will be raised approximately eight inches, making it
easier and safer for commuters to get on and off trains.
Commuters can stay updated on construction progress
by signing up for the Community E-mail program, which
sends information directly to your e-mail inbox. Visit
our website at www.tinleypark.org to register. Updates
are also posted on the website and at the train station.
Be a ‘Benches on Avenue’ sponsor
Would you like to own one of the beautiful, one-of-a-kind benches in
downtown Tinley Park?
Now is the time to act. Sponsorships are being accepted for the 2011
benches, to be displayed on Oak Park Avenue from May until October 1.
The artists are hard at work creating benches based on the theme,
America the Beautiful.
New this year! Show your support for this popular public art project
with a $20 donation and a chance to win a bench in a drawing to be
held later this year. Only 45 tickets per bench will be available. You can
purchase a ticket at the Discover Tinley expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on
Saturday, April 2, at the Convention Center, or call 708-444-5046 for
more information.
As always, single bench sponsorships will guarantee you ownership of
that bench. For information, visit www.tinleypark.org and download the
sponsorship application.
Don’t delay! A limited number of benches are available.
Sponsors can purchase one of downtown Tinley Park’s unique Benches on the Avenue
creations or enter a drawing to win a bench. Shown here is one from last year’s display.
13
Discover the New
at ‘Discover Tinley’
This year’s Discover Tinley expo from 10:00 a.m.
until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, offers residents their first chance to explore the newly
expanded Tinley Park Convention Center while
enjoying this special annual event.
Discover Tinley and all its activities will take
place in the expanded portion of the facility,
where the community can view its state-of-theart amenities and beautiful surroundings.
The expansion approximately doubled the size
of the Convention Center and is expected to
generate an annual economic impact to the area
of $265 million. Its ability to handle 77 percent
of the region’s convention business means more
dollars will be spent here, spurring job creation
and growth with far-reaching effects.
Come out to Discover Tinley and see why our
Convention Center is putting Tinley Park at the
forefront of the region’s meetings, conventions
and events marketplace.
14
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Discover Tinley!
Saturday, April 2
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
18451 Convention Center Drive
Special This Year!
Attend Discover Tinley and get a sneak peek
at our newly expanded, fabulous Tinley Park
Convention Center. This new facility increases
our community’s competitive edge in the
regional meetings, convention and events
marketplace.
Our annual expo will also showcase the
community’s businesses, non-profit organizations
and government services. Visit Discover Tinley
to learn more about what your Village has to
offer. This family-friendly, free event features
entertainment, food samples and free giveaways
at many of the booths.
This year’s attractions include:
䡲 Expanded Format
䡲 Community’s First Look at
New Convention Center
䡲 Continuous Entertainment
Featuring Music and Dance
from Local Groups
䡲 Children’s Activities including
Face Painting, Balloon Artists
and more
䡲 Great Food Samples from
some of Tinley Park’s Finest
Restaurants
Take advantage of online
utility payments
To begin using the convenient online utility
payment service, visit the Village’s website at
www.tinleypark.org, look for the online
payment link
and follow the
easy directions.
Sign up for the
E-Z Pay Program
(payments made
directly from your
bank account) or
make payments
with your Visa or
MasterCard credit
or debit card.
Mayor Ed Zabrocki and Village Clerk Patrick Rea (left and right)
admire a framed version of Tinley Park’s 2010 Holiday Card,
presented to the Village by resident Bob Dietz, who won the
contest which selected his photo for the annual card.
In addition to
using the online
payment services, utility customers can continue
to pay their bill by mail, pay in person during
business hours at the Village Hall (after-hours
deposit box is next to the front door) or 24/7 at
the Police Department. Credit cards are accepted.
Special needs registry available online
The Tinley Park Police Department and 911 Command
Center have implemented a voluntary program designed
to assist residents or loved ones with special needs in the
event of an emergency.
particular special needs of themselves or a family member,
enabling the dispatcher to quickly inform public safety
personnel of the nature of the problem.
Anyone who has a special need, health challenge or
disability such as, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease,
autism, mental health challenges or a complex or rare
medical condition who would like first responders such
as the police, ambulance and Fire Department to know
of their special needs can register with the program.
The free Illinois Premise Alert Program allows individuals
with disabilities or special needs and their families or
care-givers to register with police, fire and ambulance
agencies. The information provided will supply these
agencies with potentially life-saving information about
their conditions if called upon to provide emergency
service.
This information only will be shared with emergency
personnel. The 911 Center will update this information
every two years. If anything should change prior to
updating, or for additional forms, contact Jane Flowers at
the 911 Center, 708-532-9111, or [email protected].
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
Bus service available to seniors and handicapped
Bus service for seniors and the handicapped is available Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays. Last pickup is scheduled at
2:30 p.m. Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance by calling
708-532-RIDE (708-532-7433). Fare is 65 cents with an RTA reduced fare
card for ages 65 and older or $1.30 per ride without the card. Fare for ages
55 to 65 is $1.30 per ride.
Village bus service for medical appointments in Orland Park, Oak Forest
and Mokena only is available 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Reservations for all bus service must be made 48 hours in advance. Fare
is 75 cents each way for 65 years old and older, and $1.50 for 55 to
65 years old.
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 is allowed and they must be securely placed between the
seats, on passengers’ laps or on the floor between feet.
16
Water conservation
measures in effect May 15
Water conservation benefits all of us and helps
prevent water shortages. To maintain a safe water
supply for health, fire protection and environmental
purposes, the Village of Tinley Park will again follow
crucial water conservation measures beginning
May 15.
Between May 15 and September 15, outdoor water
use is allowed from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 to
11:00 p.m. on odd or even dates based on your
address number.
Tinley Park provides water to more than 23,000
homes and businesses through an elaborate system
of reservoirs, pumps and computers managing the
flow of water. While the Village typically uses an
average of nine million gallons of water every day,
consumption can reach as high as 18 million gallons
during peak days in summer.
Because consumption rises dramatically during
these warmer months, it is absolutely critical to
maintain at least 50 percent of capacity in the water
storage system to ensure safe drinking water and
proper fire protection capabilities.
If changing weather conditions should warrant
implementation of our next levels of water
conservation measures, residents will be notified
with color-coded signage placed throughout the
Village.
For further information on water conservation and
how to keep grass green during the upcoming hot
summer months, please visit the Going Green page
on Tinley Park’s website at www.tinleypark.org.
Community
E-mail Program
keeps you
informed
Receive the latest news about your
Village, updates on construction
projects and special events with
the Community E-mail Program.
To subscribe to this free service,
visit the Village’s website at
www.tinleypark.org and click on
the sign-up box. You will choose
how much information you want to
receive.
All information will be kept completely confidential and will not be
sold to or utilized by any outside
organization.
Our ‘tweets’ provide quick updates
For those who like quick, easy-to-read notifications on Village news and emergency situations, follow the Village of Tinley Park on its Twitter page. To access
Tinley Park’s Twitter page, click on the Follow Us On Twitter link on our website’s
home page at www.tinleypark.org.
You can find the Village’s Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/TinleyPark_IL (underscore between Park and IL). For current Twitter users, log in and click the Follow
button on the Tinley Park page. For those new to Twitter, create a free account to
begin receiving Village of Tinley Park “tweets”.
Users will receive continually updated Village information regarding recent news
and events, emergency notifications and project updates.
Receive emergency text messages
Residents can also register to receive emergency text message notifications on
their cell phones and/or e-mail accounts. To take advantage of this important
service, click on our website link and register your cell phone number (cell
phone must have text message capabilities) and/or e-mail address. Standard
text message charges will be applied by the resident’s cell phone carrier.
17
Tinley Park Public Library
Library on display at ‘Discover Tinley’
Stop by the Tinley Park Public Library’s booth at Discover Tinley
from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, and see
what we can do for you!
Celebrate National Library Week
Computer Classes for Adults
April 10 - 16
Do you love your library? There’s something new
every week! Visit the library to check out the
most popular Wii games, DVDs, CDs, books, and
magazines. It’s easy to register for a library card –
just bring in a form of identification with your
current incorporated Tinley Park address and start
borrowing right away. You can even register for a
card from home. Visit www.tplibrary.org to start
the process.
The library offers a variety of computer classes,
including how to set up an e-mail account, evaluate
information found on the Internet and search for
jobs online. Visit www.tplibrary.org for specific
class descriptions.
Fundamentals with Fido
Tuesday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Join dog trainer Michelle Swiat and her awardwinning dog, Trek, to improve your relationship
with your canine companion by learning basic
obedience and incorporating some fun tricks.
All ages welcome with an adult.
An Evening with Agatha Christie
Wednesday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m.
Learn about the fascinating life and work of
mystery writer Agatha Christie during this
first-person portrayal.
Smart Plants/Smart Gardens
Monday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Spruce up your yard, be more “green” in the
garden and save money with plant suggestions,
tips and tricks from the Prairie Godmothers.
Registration required.
Children’s Book Week
Design a bookmark based on the theme “Read
With Friends”. This design contest is open to
children in kindergarten-grade 5. Winning designs
will be reproduced and distributed to library
patrons. Entry forms will be available for pick-up
beginning Sunday, April 17, and must be returned
between May 2-9.
Medieval Tales @ the Library
Hear ye, hear ye! The theme for this summer’s
reading program is Medieval Tales @ the Library.
Adults, teens and children are invited to join in
the merriment from Monday, June 6 – Saturday,
August 6. Visit the library or our website
(tplibrary.org) for details.
Waltzing Australia
Monday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m
Author and photographer will take you on
a breathtaking travelogue to explore the
treasures of the “Land Down Under” including
sophisticated cities, deserts, rainforests and the
Great Barrier Reef.
Get Ready for Line Dancing
Monday, June 20 at 7 p.m.
Line dance instructor Dee Ulrich will demonstrate
and teach several fun and popular line dances.
Registration required.
Live Your Best Life Series:
Move Well
Eat Well
Think Well
Wednesday, June 15,
at 7:00 p.m.
Wellness coach and master
trainer Tom Kens will lead this
hands-on workshop to show you
how to boost your energy,
reduce stress and increase selfconfidence by living an active
lifestyle.
Wednesday, July 13,
at 7:00 p.m.
Kens returns to demonstrate how
to make better food choices to
fuel our bodies with the energy
to live a healthier and more
passionate life.
Wednesday, August 10,
at 7:00 p.m.
In the last of this three-part series,
Kens will focus on building a
positive attitude so we can focus
on our strengths and let go of
the negativities. Learn how to
use positive thinking to move
forward in life and find your
true passion or calling.
18
The Fun Starts Here . . .
Tinley Park Performing Arts Center
16801 S. 80th Avenue
Mother/Son Sock Hop
This annual event is a great evening out for moms
and their favorite dates! Register early!
Location: Bettenhausen Rec Center
Date:
May 6
Day:
Friday
Time:
7:00-9:00 pm
Fee:
$15 Resident/$23 Non-resident (per person)
Contact Park District for ticket and performance information.
Tinley Park Community Theater presents:
Bleacher Bums – This comedy-drama follows a group of
Chicago Cubs devotees whose loyalty to their hometown
heroes is rarely tainted by the fact they almost never win.
Performance Schedule: April 8 and 16 at 7:00 p.m.;
April 9 and 17 at 3:00 p.m.
White Water Canyon Water Park
and Spray Ground
AACT UP! Children’s Theater presents:
Robin Hood – Enjoy this delightful tale of Robin Hood
and his merry men and women.
And Flights of Angels – This modern day version
of Hamlet will entertain everyone.
Both plays will be performed May 6, 7 and 8.
White Water Canyon opens for the season on Saturday,
June 4! Season passes are now on sale! Discounted
pre-season rates are available until May 16.
White Water Canyon offers group and private swim
lessons, junior lifeguarding classes, water babies and
spray ground splash programs. Adults can stay fit with
lap swimming and river running. White Water Canyon
is a great place for a birthday party! Visit our web site
for more details! www.tinleyparkdistrict.org
Open daily June 4 – September 5
Hours:
12:00-8:00 pm
Admission: $13 per person;
Park District residents with ID: $7
Tinley Fitness
Tinley Fitness is the most comprehensive, affordable health
club in the area. Annual memberships start at $23 a month
– no enrollment or hidden fees.
Tinley Fitness, 17500 Duvan Drive, Tinley Park,
(708) 342-4255
Let’s Go Fly a Kite
Join us for a fun filled afternoon of kite flying behind the
Bettenhausen Recreation Center. Families should bring their
own kites ready to fly. A kite hospital will be on hand to
handle all those kite emergencies. This free event for all
ages is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday,
April 16, at the Recreation Center.
Tinley Junction Miniature Golf
and Batting Cages
16801 S. 80th Avenue
Tinley Junction opens for the season on April 29!
Come out for a great round of mini-golf or take a few
swings in the batting cages. Fun for the whole family!
Group packages available.
SPRING SEASON APRIL 29-JUNE 3:
Monday-Thursday 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Friday
4:00-10:00 p.m.
Saturday
10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sunday
10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
World’s Greatest Mom Essay Contest
Tell us in 50 words or less why your mom is the greatest
mom in the world. Entry forms are available at the
Recreation Center and must be returned by April 18.
Winners announced April 25. Prizes awarded.
Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt
Soon after nightfall, dots of light will move quickly across
the baseball diamond at McCarthy Park, 16801 S. 80th
Avenue, in search of Easter eggs. Ages 3 to 4 may
participate at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15.
Ages 5 to 8 start at 8:15 p.m.
SUMMER SEASON JUNE 4-AUGUST 14
Sunday-Thursday
10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
The Bunny Brunch
Don’t miss this great opportunity to have brunch with
the Easter Bunny and have your picture taken, too. Don’t
forget your camera. From 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday,
April 16, at the Recreation Center. Fee from $12 to $23.
Call Park District for more information.
For additional information on any event,
please call the Park District at 708-342-4200.
The Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center is
located at 8125 W. 171st Street in Tinley Park.
For more information visit
www.tinleyparkdistrict.org
Jellybean Contest
The jellybean contest begins April 4 and runs through April
17. Stop by the Recreation Center and guess how many
jellybeans are in the jar. Prizes will be awarded to the two
participants who come closest to the exact count. Age 3-12.
19
Emergency Management News
Prepare for severe spring weather
By Lt. Wayne Bulger, Tinley Park Emergency Management Agency
After going through one of the worst winters in Chicagoland history, we now look forward to spring. But even with
all the niceties that spring has to offer, we should also be cautious. This reason for caution comes in the form of
thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding. But, with the proper preparedness, you can get through all of these weather
conditions safely.
Thunderstorms
Thunder sounds scary and menacing, but lightning is the real danger. If the skies start to look threatening, take
shelter. Stay indoors and stay away from windows and doors. Avoid using a land line phone and taking a shower
during a thunderstorm, and unplug electrical appliances. A lightning
strike can travel through electrical lines, causing severe damage and
possible fire.
Tornadoes
Heavy rains, thunder, lightning and hail can be accompanied with a tornado. Listen for weather watches and
warnings when weather conditions look threatening. Tinley Park weather spotters are deployed when there’s a
watch or warning and will give immediate feed back to incident command when conditions change. When a
weather spotter spots a funnel cloud or tornado, incident command is notified and the commander will set off the
sirens. When you hear the sirens, please take shelter in a basement or first floor interior room, preferably a room
without windows. Never stay inside or take shelter beneath a mobile home—find shelter or take cover in a ditch
or depression in the ground away from the mobile home.
Floods
Moving water can be very dangerous; two feet of water can
sweep away a car and as little as six inches of moving water
can make you lose your balance and fall. Never drive your
vehicle onto a flooded street. The water may be deeper
than you think and you may get stranded and left with
a towing bill and car repair expense. Also, avoid walking
through flood waters because the flood water may be
contaminated with sewage.
In Case of a Disaster
There are items you should have on hand in the event of a
disaster—a disaster plan and a disaster kit. The disaster plan
should have all the information needed such as where to meet,
where supplies are located and instructions on how to turn off the
electricity, gas and water.
Below are the items you should store in your disaster kit.
Remember to store this kit in a safe, dry, easy-to-access location.
Your kit should include:
䡲 Canned food and opener
䡲 Bottled water – three gallons of water per person
䡲 Dry clothing and towels
䡲 Battery powered radio
䡲 Flashlights and extra batteries
䡲 First aid kit
If there are any more questions, please come to the Tinley Park Emergency
Management Agency booth at Discover Tinley on April 2, and we’ll answer your
questions and hand out pamphlets on emergency preparedness.
20
Be on alert for driveway repair scam
The Police Department is warning residents to be aware
of con artists who are going door-to-door and scamming
consumers out of thousands of dollars by promising
cheap, quick driveway repairs.
Review the following tips to avoid falling prey
to this scam:
䡲 Be skeptical of anyone who arrives at your door offering to repair your driveway on the spot or asks for a
response immediately. Decline and ask them to leave.
If they do not leave, contact the Police Department.
A reputable contractor will give you an estimate in
writing along with references and will work with you
to schedule the job at a mutually agreed upon time.
䡲 Before contracting for home repair work, obtain at
least two written estimates from local companies who
provide a physical address – not a P.O. Box – and a
phone number for their business. Request references
and contact them to ask about the quality of the
company’s work. You can also obtain a list of
licensed and bonded contractors by calling the
Building Department at 708-444-5100.
As part of this scam, the con artists typically approach a
homeowner claiming that they have asphalt left over
from a previous job and can patch the homeowner’s
driveway for a small cost. The scammer usually quotes a
homeowner a low price or tells him or her not to worry
about the price. Then, at the end of the job, the scam
artist produces a costly bill.
The reality is that after the scam artists complete the
repair work, they give homeowners a bill totaling in
the thousands of dollars and insist on payment.
Here are the 2011 fraud alerts
The driveway repair scam detailed in the accompanying article isn’t the only
fraudulent criminal activity being reported in the area. Here are other scams to avoid:
Grandparents Scam
Scam artists claiming to be attorneys, paralegals
and law enforcement officers frantically call saying
that a grandchild is in trouble and requesting the
grandparent immediately wire a large sum of
money.
Pigeon Drop Scam
A pigeon drop scam is where the victim is
approached in a parking lot by the con artist who
will ask if you dropped two bank bags. When the
victim responds “no,” the con artist will take the
bags into the store and come back to let you know
that the bags were not reported missing or stolen
by anyone, and that they will be willing to split
the money with you in exchange for a smaller
amount of money withdrawn from the victim’s
bank account.
Bed Bug Scam
You may be solicited too with high priced fake
treatments to rid bed bugs. Consult with the
Center of Disease Control if you think your
home may be contaminated with bed bugs.
Text Message Bank Account Scam
You receive a text message from your bank
alleging that your account has been compromised
or temporarily blocked. The message will provide
you with a 309 area code number to call. If you
call, you will be prompted by an electronic messaging system to provide your personal information along with your account information and
“your call will be returned.”
Fake Check Scams
You may receive notice of sweepstakes or foreign
lottery winnings, an inheritance or a secret
shopper survey along with a check. Be warned
that these checks are fake; if you cash one of these
they will eventually bounce and you will be held
responsible.
Time Share Reselling Scam
Time share reselling schemes allege that for an
upfront fee, you can be rid of your unwanted
time share. The “reseller” will tell you that they
have a secure buyer but request upfront fees first.
The reseller never delivers a buyer.
Publisher’s Clearing House Scam
Beware if you receive an official looking check
allegedly from Publisher’s Clearing House,
claiming that you are a sweepstakes winner. This
is another example of a fake check scam and the
con artist will attempt to get you to send money.
Reader’s Digest Scam
Beware of a phone call claiming you have “won”
a contest with Reader’s Digest. The con artist will
direct you to pick up your winnings in the form
of a fake check at your local Western Union.
Phony State Lottery Scam
The latest version of a lottery scam stems from the
foreign lottery scams. The difference is this lottery
scam is claiming you have won big on the state
level. Beware if you receive an e-mail claiming to
be from the Illinois Lottery about striking it rich
through a computer ballot. This is a phishing
scam to try a get personal information.
Salvation Army E-mail Scam
Beware of an e-mail scam where the e-mail sender
claims to be from the Salvation Army. The e-mail
states that they are requesting donations to go
toward rehabilitation for children; the e-mail
comes from an AOL e-mail account. Please be
aware that the Salvation Army does not send
e-mail solicitations under any circumstances.
21
Police Department News
Understanding the criminal justice procedure
By Police Chief Mike O’Connell
investigator may be given further direction by the ASA
regarding the investigation. This could include releasing
the suspect without charges pending further or continuing with the investigation (Tinley Park has two cases in
this status at the present time).
The purpose of my article this month is to clarify for our
residents how a criminal investigation and subsequent
warrantless arrest results in the prosecution or release of
a suspect, or alleged offender, of a felony criminal act.
The felony is usually the incident which attracts the
most attention of the media and our residents.
Sometimes our ability to arrest but not charge someone
is the most misunderstood aspect by persons who are
not familiar with the criminal justice system - both in
Cook and Will Counties.
This could mean waiting for DNA, body fluid, and/or
fingerprint analysis from the State Crime Lab; autopsy
results; obtaining video images from cameras; locating
and interviewing additional witnesses; or examining
telephone and cell phone records. These are some of
the more common delays in the evidence and charging
procedure. Quite often, these additional steps may take
weeks and sometimes months.
It should be noted that the necessary evidence leading
up to a felony arrest is the same as a misdemeanor, but
the actual process of authorizing us to file felony charges
is different. In the case of a misdemeanor, the arresting
officer can decide to file charges against a suspect based
on his training and knowledge of the law. But, the
felony charging process is different.
Since authorities can hold a suspect for no more than
72 hours, the ASA may order the suspect released so as
not to jeopardize the constitutional guidelines afforded
the suspect. At a later date, once all available evidence
is finally put together, the felony review ASA will then
re-review the case and determine if felony charges are
appropriate.
After an officer or investigator is able to establish
probable cause to arrest a suspect of a felony, the suspect
can be taken into custody and brought to the Police
Department for questioning. Subsequent to questioning,
and whether or not a statement of admission or guilt is
given by the arrestee, the investigator will assemble all
available evidence.
In some cases, felony charges will be declined altogether.
Also, in some of the cases, the ASA may recommend a
lesser misdemeanor charge because the legal threshold
between felony and misdemeanor may be so close,
we may be more likely to successfully prosecute at
the misdemeanor level. In most cases, we follow that
recommendation.
This evidence could include a statement from the suspect,
witness statements, victim statements, the results of a
show up, the results of a lineup, recovery of proceeds
from the incident, and/or the results of forensic evidence
which may tie the offender to the crime.
This, in a nutshell, is how we request charges against
criminals throughout Cook and Will Counties.
Although our system is even more complex than what
I have described above, I hope this “Reader’s Digest”
version of our criminal justice system provides some
explanation to questions you might have had about
incidents in Tinley Park. Please know that, at times,
we are frustrated by the system after watching our
detectives and officers work many hours to put a
case together only to find that evidence is lacking or
inadequate. Sometimes, too, a victim will also refuse
to prosecute the crime.
This is where things get complicated in the felony. After
assembling the above mentioned evidence, the State’s
Attorney’s Office must be contacted for the process of
felony review. In this process, a specially trained assistant
state’s attorney (ASA) will review all the evidence and, in
some cases, wish to personally interview victim(s) and/or
witness(es) of the offense.
In some felony property crimes
or drug cases, the ASA may
review the evidence over
the phone. After determining that all the elements
of the offense allegedly
have been met, the ASA
will authorize the
charge of a felony
against the suspect in
custody. If the ASA
feels the case is lacking
adequate evidence to
successfully prosecute
the case, felony
charges will not be
authorized, and the
Rest assured that this will not deter us from doing
our best to follow up on crime in Tinley Park and
using all of our resources at our disposal to
fight crime and bring the guilty to justice.
Should you have any questions regarding
our criminal laws or justice system in
Illinois. you can access all statutory
criminal procedures through the
Internet under the State of Illinois
Criminal Statutes.
Please have a safe summer and encourage
everyone to wear seatbelts when traveling.
22
Be aware of changes in child safety seat law
By Crime Prevention Officer Dina Navas
The Tinley Park Police
Department is reminding
motorists that children
need to be properly
restrained in child safety
seats and booster seats
until they are at least 8
years of age, more than
4’ 9” tall, and weighing
80 pounds or more.
For Tinley Park residents only, the Police Department
child passenger safety technicians will check your child
safety seats to verify that they have been properly
installed. Also, they will check the seat if you have
received a ticket. These inspections are by appointment
only and they can be made by calling Dina Navas at
708-444-5326.
National Seat Check Saturday will take place on
Saturday, September 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
in the parking lot of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant,
18345 S. LaGrange Road. Parents and caregivers will
have the opportunity to have their child safety seat
checked to verify that it is properly installed.
All passengers under the
age of 18 must wear a
safety belt, no matter
where they are seated
in the vehicle. Everyone
needs to be restrained
correctly whenever they
ride in a motor vehicle,
and all children age 12
and younger should ride
in the back seat.
Seniors and Law Enforcement Together
Members of the Tinley Park Police S.A.L.T.
(Seniors And Law Enforcement Together)
Committee invites senior residents to join them
at a meeting. The meetings are held on the first
Monday of the month, February through
December, with the exceptions of July 11 and
September 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the Tinley Park
Police Department, 7850 W. 183rd Street. Further
information may be obtained by calling Dina
Navas at 708-444-5326.
As of January 1, 2011, the following three changes to
the Illinois Child Passenger Safety Act went into effect:
1. The fine for a first offense increased to $75.00.
2. The first offense fine can be waived if the
parent/caregiver provides documentation to the
court that they have obtained a child safety seat
and have received education on the proper use
and installation of the child safety seat from a
certified child passenger safety technician.
3. The fine for all subsequent offenses increased
to $200 and cannot be waived.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Please remember to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency,
and 708-532-9111 for non-emergency calls.
Both phone numbers are answered by 911 Center
dispatchers. The Tinley Park Police Department
urges residents to call and report all suspicious
activities and crimes. See It! Hear It! Report It!
Volunteer for Neighborhood Watch
The Tinley Park Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Program
is welcoming new volunteers.
The Neighborhood Watch Program is comprised of a group of
neighbors who want to make their neighborhood safer by working
together, in conjunction with local law enforcement, to reduce
crime and improve their quality of life.
If you are interested in joining the program, e-mail Crime
Prevention Officer Dina Navas at [email protected].
Include your name, address, phone number,
subdivision name and e-mail address, or call
her at 708-444-5326.
Volunteers representing each subdivision in
Tinley Park are being sought. Volunteers will
receive monthly e-mails from the Police
Department with tips on keeping your family, home and vehicle safe. Two
Neighborhood Watch meetings per year are
held at the Tinley Park Public Library, 7851
Timber Drive. The next meeting is scheduled
for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 22.
‘National Night
Out’ a winner for
fourth straight year
The Tinley Park Police Department,
for the fourth consecutive year, has
been selected by
the National
Association of
Town Watch as a
National Award Winner for its
2010 National Night Out event.
Mark your calendars for the 2011
National Night Out celebration
from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
August 2. The location is in the
process of being finalized.
The event will be held during Tinley
Park Police Week from Monday,
August 1, through Friday, August 5.
Many activities will be held during
this week, including an open house
at the Police Department.
23
Fire Department News
Spring cleaning part of fire safety
By Fire Chief Ken Dunn
Remember the Blizzard of 2011 on February 2?
Now it is just a memory and spring is here, finally!
After the snowy winter we had, our thoughts are of reading seed catalogs, golf
magazines and maybe even thinking about where we might take a vacation this
year. We are thinking about the warm weather headed our way as we make out
our annual list of things that need to be done this spring. Items on the list
could include how we are going to attack the crab grass this year, planning our
flower gardens, cleaning the golf clubs and getting the spring cleaning done.
When it’s time for spring cleaning, remember a clean house is a safe house. Clean out storage areas such as the
garage, attics, basements and the outdoor shed on a regular basis. An accumulation of trash, boxes, and piles of
old clothes and other combustibles in the home are fuel for fire.
Clutter gives fire a place to start and could create an obstacle that might prevent escaping safely. Getting rid of this
stuff will help reduce the chance of fire in your home. Consider having a garage sale or give away useful items you
are no longer using. Several local charities like Together We Cope, Goodwill and others may be able to use the useful
items you no longer need.
Some items that have been sitting on a shelf may be considered hazardous (batteries, some paints, garden chemicals,
cleaning products, etc). If you have these types of materials, several times throughout the area there are household
hazardous waste collections. The dates, times and locations are generally advertised in the local papers and on
various governmental websites. Check these sites for dates and locations of collection of these products.
When storing away any electrical heating device used this past winter, check that the cords are not frayed or
separating, and make sure that the equipment is working properly. This way, if anything needs repair, it can be
taken care of before the next heating season.
Along with spring cleaning, this is the time to get the lawnmower, rototiller and other gasoline powered equipment
ready to go. Whenever you store gasoline, use extreme caution. Gasoline is a flammable liquid that readily gives off
vapors which are easily ignited with a spark or small flame. Gasoline should only be used as a motor fuel and never
as a degreaser or cleaning solvent. Using gasoline for any other purpose other than a motor fuel is just too dangerous.
Gasoline should be stored in tightly capped containers intended for that use. It should be stored in a garage or
preferably an outdoor shed, never in the basement or home itself.
When your list of spring cleaning chores are done, you will feel good about what you accomplished and can now
focus on enjoying all of those springtime activities.
Have a fire safe spring.
Call the Tinley Park Fire Prevention Bureau at 708-444-5200 for any additional information you may need.
24
CPR/AED classes offered to residents, health care professionals
Will you be the one person in your household
who will be prepared to save a life?
The Tinley Park Fire Prevention Bureau has
set a goal to have at least one person in every
household in the village certified and trained
in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use
of the automatic external defibrillator.
The American Heart Association’s Heart Saver
CPR/AED certification class is offered to any
resident of Tinley Park over the age of 14.
Classes are taught by members of the Fire
Department and are held on the third
Saturday of each month. This three-hour
class is designed to give the student practical
knowledge on the techniques of CPR and
training on using an AED correctly. The
cost of this life-saving certification is $35 for
residents.
The Fire Department also provides a separate CPR/AED class for health care professionals on the first Thursday of
each month at 6:30 p.m. and the last Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. New this year is the Heart Saver First Aid
class. We can also provide CPR/AED training at your facility or business.
For additional information on any of these classes or to register for these programs, please contact
the Fire Department at 708-444-5200. Learn to be a life saver.
Having a block party? Invite the Fire Department!
If your neighborhood is having a block party and
would like the Fire Department to visit, please send
us a request in writing addressed to the Tinley Park
Fire Prevention Bureau, 17355 S. 68th Court, Tinley
Park, IL. 60477.
This will allow us to get your event on our calendar.
Spring and summer is a busy time for everyone, including
the Fire Department. Due to the nature of our work, we
will do the best we can to accommodate you.
You may also fax your request to 708-444-5299.
25
Let us know if your street light is out
Other reminders from the Public Works Department include:
For neighborhood safety,
please contact the
Public Works
Department at
708-444-5500 if
a street light is not
working or if the
lens is broken.
Have the location
and/or address
near the pole available when you call.
Clear sewer covers: The department thanks everyone who helps the
community by clearing sewer covers and inlets during heavy rainstorms,
which helps prevent street and parkway flooding.
Tree trimming: Homeowners are advised to trim tree branches that
hang over the sidewalk so pedestrians can walk by without obstruction. If
you are adding to your landscaping, Public Works has a list of trees recommended for planting in our local area. Call 708-444-5500 for information.
Garbage cans: Please do not put your garbage cans or recycling bins in
the street. They interfere with the street sweeper as well as regular traffic.
Mowing: Remember that residents are responsible for mowing all of the
grass on their properties, including areas outside of fences.
Call Public Works at 708-444-5500
Looking for a way to
serve the community?
Tinley Park is a community full of
residents who volunteer their time to
help others and make our town the
best that it can be.
If you are looking for a way to help
the community and have fun at the
same time, the Village is seeking
volunteers to assist with our special
downtown events and other activities.
Your ideas and participation in making
these events a success would be much
appreciated.
To place your name and contact
information on our volunteer list,
please contact Marketing Director
Donna Framke at 708-444-5045 or
e-mail her at [email protected].
Volunteering will be flexible, with no
time commitment necessary at signup.
Online parking requests available
Tinley Park residents have an easy way to inform the Police
Department about overnight street parking requests through
an online service available on the Village’s website.
Residents can visit www.tinleypark.org and click on the
Overnight Parking Requests link on the home page.
When a car must be parked on the street overnight due to
special circumstances, residents who use the online service
must submit a form each night for a maximum of three nights.
When more than one car is involved, a separate form must be
submitted for each car.
Police are advising residents to be sure that the information
they enter is accurate and complete, or they could receive a
ticket. Parking on the street overnight for more than three
nights is not allowed.
Residents without Internet service may continue to call the
Police Department’s non-emergency number at 708-532-9111
to request an overnight street parking waiver. Village ordinance
prohibits parking on the street between 2 and 5 a.m. unless a
waiver request is made.
Senior Community Center offers recreation, friendship
testing, cards, monthly movies, reasonably priced
luncheons, informative speakers and entertainment,
outing to theaters and casino trips. Members also
go on luncheon cruises and have an annual
Mayor’s Picnic. Also, feel free to bring in a game
of your choice.
Senior residents 55 years old and older are invited
to join the Senior Community Center of Tinley Park
located in the John T. Dunn Public Safety Building
(rear of Fire Station 1) at 17355 68th Court.
The facility is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the spring and
summer, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on those
days in the fall and winter.
A monthly newsletter is also available detailing
events for the coming month. Further information
is available by calling the center at 708-444-5150
during open hours.
You must be a member to participate in the
activities, which include bingo, blood pressure
26
VILLAGE OF TINLEY PARK
Edward Zabrocki..............................Mayor
Patrick Rea .............................Village Clerk
TRUSTEES
David Seaman........................Finance and Economic Development
Gregory Hannon ............................................Planning and Zoning
Brian Maher ................................................................Public Safety
Thomas Staunton Jr ...................................................Public Works
Patricia Leoni ........................................Budget and Administration
T.J. Grady ................................................Building and Compliance
Scott Niehaus ..................................................................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 & Assoc.)
Brad L. Bettenhausen ...................................................Village Treasurer
Ken Dunn ..........................Fire Chief and Fire Prevention Administrator
Michael O’Connell ................................................................Police Chief
Patrick Carr .......................................................................EMA Director
Ivan Baker ............................................Economic Development Director
Amy Connolly ..............................................................Planning Director
Donna Framke............................................................Marketing Director
Dale Schepers.........................................................Public Works Director
Don McNeely .......................................................Building Commissioner
Gerry Horan ..................................................Human Resources Director
TINLEY PARK VILLAGE HALL
16250 S. Oak Park Avenue • 708-444-5000 • www.tinleypark.org
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m • Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
VILLAGE BOARD MEETINGS
Held on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at 8 p.m. in the Village Hall.
The public is welcome. 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. Published in spring, summer and fall/winter.
Articles may be submitted to the editor at the Village Hall. Editor: Janet Boling
Printed on Recycled Paper
Minimum 10% Post Consumer Fiber
The Exchange
PRE-SORT
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
c/o The Village Hall
16250 S. Oak Park Avenue
Tinley Park, Illinois 60477
DATED MATERIAL
PAID
PERMIT NO. 34
CARRIER RTE.
TINLEY PARK, IL
Postal Patron
TINLEY PARK, IL
Discover Tinley!
Saturday, April 2
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tinley Park Convention Center ▪ 18451 Convention Center Drive
Special This Year!
Attend Discover Tinley and get a sneak peek at our newly
expanded, fabulous Tinley Park Convention Center. This new
facility increases our community’s competitive edge in the
regional meetings, convention and events marketplace.
Our annual expo will also showcase the community’s businesses,
non-profit organizations and government services. Visit Discover
Tinley to learn more about what your Village has to offer. This
family-friendly, free event features entertainment, food samples
and free giveaways at many of the booths.
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This year’s attractions include:
䡲 Expanded Format
䡲 Community’s First Look at New
Convention Center
䡲 Continuous Entertainment Featuring
Music and Dance from Local Groups
䡲 Children’s Activities including Face
Painting, Balloon Artists and more
䡲 Great Food Samples from some of
Tinley Park’s Finest Restaurants

`Discover Tinley` at the expanded Convention Center

Transcription

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