How Much More? Park Board Silent as Cleanup Costs Soar to $25M

Tinley Park Cleanup Costs Near $25 Million, Environmental Risks Remain Unaddressed

Tinley Park, IL - March 2025: The cost of addressing environmental hazards at the Tinley Park Mental Health Center site has now climbed to almost $25 million, following the allocation of an additional $9,229,916 in taxpayer funds through Illinois Senate and House bills submitted on February 25. These funds, provided by Illinois taxpayers, have been handed to the Tinley Park-Park District to cover the ever-increasing costs of the cleanup. However, this figure does not represent the total cost of remediation, and many are left wondering just how high the final bill might climb. A 2014 study by environmental consultant Tetra Tech estimated cleanup costs could reach $32 million at the time, which, adjusted for inflation, would be approximately $42.6 million in 2025 dollars.

Unresolved Environmental Hazards
The site remains riddled with serious environmental concerns, many of which have been neglected for years. Tetra Tech’s assessments identified hazardous materials including asbestos, lead-based paint, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in deteriorating transformers, as well as underground and aboveground storage tanks containing petroleum products. Flooded basements and tunnels have exacerbated the release of asbestos and other contaminants into surface water, posing ongoing risks to the surrounding community. Additionally, the site contains landfill areas and improperly stored hazardous waste, further complicating remediation efforts.

Despite these alarming findings, the Park District’s cleanup efforts have been criticized for their lack of transparency and failure to address the full scope of contamination. The focus on redeveloping only 90 acres of the 280-acre site leaves the majority of the property—and its associated risks—unaddressed. This piecemeal approach not only jeopardizes the safety of future park users but also risks recontaminating remediated areas through airborne asbestos and waterborne pollutants.

Political Influence and Accountability
State Senator Mike Hastings and Representative Bob Rita, who have been instrumental in securing State taxpayer funding for the project, have faced criticism for removing local oversight by exempting the Park District from all Village of Tinley Park ordinances and local oversight. This legislative maneuver has left the project without local accountability, further fueling concerns about mismanagement and political interference.

Calls for Comprehensive Action
Residents and environmental experts alike are calling for a comprehensive cleanup plan that addresses the entire site, not just select portions. Tetra Tech has emphasized that partial remediation efforts are insufficient and could lead to greater risks and costs in the future. The Village of Tinley Park has long advocated for full remediation.

The Path Forward
With almost $25 million already earmarked or spent and the potential for costs to exceed $42 million, Tinley Park residents remain vigilant in their calls for responsible management and transparency. Some are demanding that Hastings and Rita state unequivocally whether they have a maximum limit is on giving State taxpayer funds to the Park District or if they consider it a blank check, an open taxpayer wallet, with unlimited funds regardless of how poorly it is managed.

The community is determined to ensure that taxpayer funds are used effectively and that the cleanup ultimately benefits all residents. As the project drags on and millions more State taxpayer dollars are spent, the pressure on the Park District and State officials to explain themselves continues to grow.