Tinley Park Updates Downtown Parking Rules

Tinley Park Moves to Revise Downtown Parking Regulations

Tinley Park is advancing an ordinance to update its downtown parking regulations. This initiative follows the opening of the Harmony Square music and event venue last summer. Ken Howard, the street superintendent, noted increased congestion in the downtown parking zone since Harmony Square’s establishment. He stated, “Ever since Harmony, we’ve noticed increased congestion along the downtown parking route. Existing ordinances mostly address a time when commuting was more prevalent through town.”

Commuting from the suburbs to Chicago has declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to changes in parking behavior. Marketing Director Donna Framke highlighted that the current two-hour parking limits, initially intended to deter commuters from parking all day on residential streets to avoid Metra lot fees, are no longer fulfilling their purpose. “The town’s grown, and we have Harmony Square, so there’s much downtown activity,” Mayor Michael Glotz remarked.

Adjustment to Parking Limits

Historically, signs limiting parking to two hours were removed over the past 50 years. When these signs were reintroduced as a temporary solution, residents criticized the reinstatement of the two-hour limits outside their homes. “Many longtime residents weren’t even aware of these ordinances until the signs were up,” Howard explained. “There was significant pushback, which is understandable after living in homes for 30 or 40 years.”

The village plans to repeal most two-hour limits, opting instead to restrict parking to one side of the street during events. This measure aims to ensure emergency vehicles can navigate through congested areas. The village will start by updating parking rules in neighborhoods around Harmony Square, from 171st to 176th Streets. “We have fire, police, and public works involved. It’s a public safety matter,” Howard emphasized. “We worry about addressing emergencies with parking on both sides of the street during events.”

Impact of Parking Rule Changes

Notably, 173rd Place from Harlem Avenue to Oak Park Avenue will prohibit parking on either side during events. Harmony Square, Tinley Park’s outdoor music venue with retail space, officially opened on July 18, 2025.

The ordinance received unanimous preliminary approval at the Committee of the Whole meeting, with a final vote from the Village Board set for October 6. “We aim for full enforcement by the St. Patrick’s Day parade,” Howard commented. Trustee Kenneth Shaw supported the changes, citing the outdated nature of the current ordinance. “We have 16 pages of line items in the ordinance,” Shaw stated. “Many exceptions are from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Few can explain their rationale today.”

Future updates will affect other village areas like the Parkside subdivision, Barrett Brothers Familyland, and zones near Victor J. Andrew High School and St. George Church. Howard outlined the phased approach due to budget constraints. “Performing a comprehensive study village-wide would be costly,” he said. “We don’t have the budget for numerous signs needed for an overhaul, so we’re addressing it step by step.”