Tinley Park Updates Downtown Parking Rules Amid Increased Congestion

Tinley Park is advancing with an ordinance to revise its downtown parking rules. This follows the opening of the Harmony Square music and event venue last summer.

Ever since Harmony, we’ve noticed that we’ve had increased congestion along the downtown parking route, said Ken Howard, street superintendent. He highlighted that current ordinances mainly address past commuting issues which are not as prevalent today.

Commuting from the suburbs into Chicago has declined since COVID-19, rendering the two-hour parking limits obsolete. These limits were initially to prevent commuters from occupying residential street parking to avoid Metra lot fees, explained marketing director Donna Framke.

Mayor Michael Glotz emphasized that Tinley Park has grown and now features Harmony Square, leading to increased downtown activity. Some two-hour parking limit signs, removed over the past 50 years, were reinstalled, causing resident backlash.

Howard stated, A lot of longtime residents didn’t even realize these ordinances existed until we put these signs up, noting the understandable pushback after decades of unchanged parking norms. The plan now is to repeal most two-hour limits and enforce parking on only one street side during events, ensuring emergency vehicle access.

Initial updates will target the downtown area around Harmony Square from 171st Street to 176th Street. We have fire, police, public works. It’s a public safety concern, Howard noted. During events, 173rd Place from Harlem Avenue to Oak Park Avenue will have no parking on either side.

Harmony Square, an outdoor venue with retail space, opened officially on July 18, 2025. The ordinance received unanimous approval at a preliminary meeting and awaits a final vote from the Village Board on October 6, aiming for full enforcement by the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Trustee Kenneth Shaw applauded the move, remarking that the outdated ordinance contained numerous exceptions.It’s crazy how many exceptions we have, he said, highlighting their irrelevance today.

Other areas for future parking updates include the Parkside subdivision, Barrett Brothers Familyland, and zones near Victor J. Andrew High School and St. George Church. Howard noted that a comprehensive village-wide study would be too costly, so changes will happen incrementally.