Tinley Park, Park District pair up after spat on Fourth of July fireworks

Chicago Tribune

27-05-2025

After a two-year separation that saw Tinley Park hold its own July 4 fireworks shows, the village and Park District are collaborating this year on an Independence Day event.
It will be held at the Park District's McCarthy Park, which had long been the site of the Park District's Fourth of July event and fireworks show until 2023.
The last two years, Tinley Park had its own show at the 80th Avenue Metra commuter train station.
There has been friction between the village and Park District over control of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center, which the Park District bought from the state last year for $1 and has plans to redevelop for recreational uses.
The village had also sought to acquire the 280-acre property, northwest of Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street, with plans to develop it for property and sale tax generating entertainment uses.
The Village Board at a recent meeting approved a contract worth $50,000 for the upcoming fireworks show.
The joint Independence Day event will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. on July 4 at McCarthy Park,16801 S. 80th Ave.
The village said music by Five Guys Named Moe will start the day at 4 p.m. and food and beverages will be for sale from local vendors.
Bingo, inflatables for kids, a magic show, gun salute and flag-raising ceremony as well as a 7 p.m. concert by Spoken Four, are part of the day's activities.
The fireworks show set to patriotic music is set for 9:30 p.m.
'We're excited to be collaborating with the Park District to bring Tinley Park's iconic fireworks show back to McCarthy Park,' Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said in a news release.
'We are thrilled to restore our annual fireworks show at McCarthy Park this July 4th,' Park Board President Lisa O'Donovan said in the release. 'This celebration has been a highlight of the summer in Tinley Park for over 40 years.'
Tinley Park police Chief Tom Tilton said his officers are preparing for the event.
'We're utilizing new technologies and new techniques to provide a safe Fourth of July experience for everyone,' Tilton said in the news release. 'Residents can rest easy knowing we're taking every precaution.'
In early 2023, Tinley Park opted to hold its own fireworks show, prompting the Park District to cancel the Independence Day event it had held at McCarthy Park.
The village again, last year, held its own fireworks show at the 80th Avenue Metra station in conjunction with Ribfest.
In 2023, Park Board members said the district was being retaliated against for its interest in the former mental health center.
The Illinois General Assembly had cleared, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed, legislation that year clearing the path for the Park District to acquire the site.
The state also earmarked $15 million for the Park District to use to clean up environmental problems and demolish buildings on the property.
The Park District said in early 2023 it was denied a permit to hold its annual Running O' the Green 8k race March 5 of that year, the same day as the village's Irish Parade. The district said it had for many years held the race on the same day as the village parade but the race that year was rescheduled.
The Park District also said it had to find other sources of fuel for district vehicles and de-icing salt for Park District properties after Tinley Park cut off long-standing supply agreements for both products.
Park Board members, in a letter early in 2023 to village officials, said 'it is simply not feasible to work with you on any event when the village is engaged in this kind of behavior.'
The district, in its letter, said the obstacles that had been thrown up were 'retaliation and punishment' for the district.