Tinley Park has once again decided to try and build a Walmart at 191st and Harlem. We say no.

Tinley wanted Summit Hill School District 161, Lincolnway High School District 210 and the Frankfort Square Park District to abate taxes on the land. The school districts were asked to give up all property tax revenues for two and a half years. The Park District was asked to give up fifty percent of the property taxes for five years. Only Summit Hill was approached formally and they voted it down flatly.

Why?

Because Tinley Park was essentially asking Summit Hill to give up tax revenues to fund Walmart’s development costs. They were shown no financial studies that offered any reason to believe they would gain from this. Tinley park and Walmart would make money from day one, but the taxing bodies would have to trust that money would eventually come in. Should Walmart fail to deliver on Tinley Park’s promises, the taxpayers would bear the burden.

Tinley Park told us that if all three taxing bodies did not agree to the tax abatements, the project would be over, but the day after the Summit Hill vote Mayor Zabrocki was in the newspapers telling us that he won’t give up on Walmart. He’s looking for another site.

So far Lincolnway High School District 210 and Frankfotr Square Park District have not voted on the issue. Keep contacting them and letting them know you oppose Walmart in Tinley Park.

Five years ago Tinley Park said no. We’re saying no today.