June 27, 2023
Bill to Sell Former Mental Health Center Site to Park District for $1 Will Create Hub of
Athletic & Recreational Opportunities, Green Space for Entire Southland Region & Save
Taxpayers
TINLEY PARK, Ill. – The Board of Commissioners of the Park District of Tinley Park today
joined with elected officials, labor and environmental organizations, community groups, special
recreation associations, local officials, and a wide array of supporters to urge Gov. JB Pritzker to
sign House Bill 3743 into law. The bill, passed by the Illinois General Assembly in May, would
turn over the site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center to the Park District to finally
begin cleanup and redevelopment of the long-vacant land.
Joining the Park District Board of Commissioners at a press conference today were Sen. Michael
Hastings and Reps. Robert Rita, Debbie Meyers-Martin, and Justin Slaughter, as well as
representatives of the Cook County Building Trades Council, Chicago Southland Convention
and Visitors Bureau, Sierra Club, Illinois Environmental Council, South Suburban Special
Recreation Association, Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, Tinley Park Bulldogs,
Moraine Valley Community College, local youth organizations, south suburban school boards,
and south suburban area park districts.
“We are excited and encouraged about the prospect of finally cleaning up and redeveloping the
site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center,” said Lisa O’Donovan, Park District Board
Commissioner and Chair of a new committee being established to oversee the project. “The
vision for the site developed by our Board of Commissioners will benefit Tinley Park residents,
schools and community organizations, and our plan will create new opportunities for the entire
southland region to travel to and enjoy Tinley Park.”
HB 3743 would sell the land to the Park District for $1, saving Tinley Park taxpayers over $4.5
million to purchase the site, which the Village of Tinley Park had previously offered.
Importantly, the bill prohibits any form of gaming at the site, supporting the feedback of
residents.
“I’m very excited about the future of the Tinley Park-Park District. They are an excellent
fiduciary to demolish the Tinley Park Mental Health Center and redevelop it into a first-class
recreation facility,” said Sen. Hastings. “Working together with Representative Bob Rita, Debbie
Meyers-Martin, area legislators and community leaders, we were able to accomplish something
that needed to be done for the past decade. Moreover, park district board members Lisa
O’Donovan, Ashley Rubino, Bernie O’Boyle, Don Cuba are a pleasure to work with and our
community should be proud that they chose leaders who choose parks over politics. There are a
lot of misrepresentations and falsehoods that have been made by the Village of Tinley Park
regarding this project. I hope those misrepresentations never come to light for the best interest of
the residents, and for those who made them. Further, I hope that the Village of Tinley Park will
become a non-combative and participative partner.”
The Park District formally bid on the property, 7400-7600 W. 183rd St., last November and laid
out its Phase 1 vision for redevelopment to meet the needs of Tinley Park residents and the entire
south suburban area. Phase 1 includes a playground and sports facilities fully accessible for
people living with special needs, multipurpose athletic fields, a domed sports complex with a
full-size soccer field, a stadium with a track, a splash pad, concession stands, spectator stands,
lighting, ample parking, as well as a pond, picnic areas and open green space. Since the plan was
released to the public, it has gained widespread community support and private developer
interest.
“It’s days like today that really make me proud to represent Tinley Park and the entire Southland
region,” said Rep. Rita. “We are here because we have all worked together toward a common
goal. This legislation to sell the land to the Park District and the $15 million available for
cleaning up the site will be the first important steps to turning this eyesore into a destination for
the community and the entire area. We are all excited to see the Governor sign this bill and turn
this dream into reality.”
In addition to the passage of HB 3743, the new fiscal year budget for the State of Illinois
includes $15 million in state grant funding for the Park District to begin the environmental
cleanup of the vacant land.