Home Care In Tinley Park, IL

The hugely popular Chicago Home Show returns to the awesome Tinley Park Convention Center with Free Admission and Free Parking on February 24^th & 25^th for one of the most popular home improvement events to ever take place in the entire Chicago area!

This year’s event is even bigger and better, with almost 200 amazing businesses in a massive 40,000 square foot expo center, so be sure to save the date and set your reminders so you don’t miss it!

Motivated and savvy homeowners like you from all over Chicagoland will once again attend this great event to find the ultimate in savings and convenience and find inspiration and the perfect person to help you with your upcoming projects! It’s literally One-Stop-Shopping for Home Improvements!

This great event will offer a vast array of home related exhibits and displays, highlighting the latest home improvement products and services with the freshest ideas in remodeling, repairing and beautifying ANY home with projects big and small!

Don’t miss your best opportunity to meet and speak with local and national experts who are eager to help you with all your home improvement projects and questions!

You'll find it all, from windows, siding and roofing to kitchens, baths, basements and additions. Spruce things up with new flooring, painting and decor! Boost curb appeal with new landscaping, decorative pavers and outdoor accents and then green it all up with expert lawn and property maintenance services! Save BIG on energy costs with solar power systems & whole house generators! And don't forget to keep it comfortable year-round with the latest in heating & air conditioning!

You’ll see loads of fun and exciting live demonstrations of one of a kind products for you and your home .... and so much more, all weekend long!

From interiors to exteriors and décor to outdoor, we’re here to make your home improvement projects easy, fulfilling and fun!

This is just the beginning! Of course, if you’re planning ANY home improvements this year, our events are the best place to invest your time. But our shows are not only about improving your home. As a local, family owned and operated company for over two decades with hundreds of home shows under our belt, we work hard every year to deliver quality, diversified and fun events that help you enhance your lifestyle as well as the day to day LIFE EXPERIENCE for you and your family. That’s what we’re all about.

Be sure to enter for your chance to WIN a “Week in Paradise” with a Free Vacation to the beautiful island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands!

And don’t miss your chance to Save BIG at the Huge Healthy Living Hot Tub and Swim Spa Clearance Sale!

Set your reminders for this amazing event, because with thousands of products, services and fresh ideas showcased at this grand event, you can be sure you’ll find the best solutions for all of your home improvement needs all under one roof . . . at the ONLY event of its kind serving the area!

The Chicago Home Show will once again be hosted at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park IL 60477. The event is open to the public on February 24^th & 25^th, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm each day with Free Admission and Free Parking all weekend long!

For more details on attending or exhibiting, visit www.TinleyParkShow.com or call or TEXT us 630-953-2500

Horses were seen plodding along Oak Park Avenue, after the trailer they were in broke down. Sub-Trailer Hitch got them back on the road.

TINLEY PARK, IL — If you saw it, you probably did a double take.

On Monday, four large horses were spotted being led up Oak Park Avenue. No parade, no special occasion. Just four horses clip-clopping up the street in Tinley Park's downtown.

The scene was the calm following the chaos moments earlier, when a horse trailer broke down on I-80 en route home to Idaho. Panicked, the owners scrambled to find some place that could get their rig driveable—and keep their horses safe.

Sub-Trailer Hitch owner Brian Becker got the call and knew they were coming, but was shocked when he saw the extent of the damage.

"It was the trailer starting to destroy itself," Becker told Patch Tuesday. One wheel had fallen off, he said, and the trailer was close to losing another. The trailer had just been serviced recently by a business in another state, and by appearances, that business hadn't done the job properly.

The owners pulled over in the parking lot of Burger King off 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue, and fearing the trailer would only continue to crumble, they unloaded the horses and walked them to Sub-Trailer Hitch, 17501 Oak Park Ave.

The safest thing they could have done at that moment was to take the weight off the trailer before things got worse, Becker said.

"They limped it over here," Becker said.

Becker made some phone calls to rush new wheels to the shop. The draft horses relaxed as they waited for the work to be complete, even grazing on grass behind the shop, Becker said. They were safe, and their ride was getting the necessary repairs to make sure they'd stay that way.

The horses seemed unfazed—they had grass and a sunny day, maybe not unlike being in a pasture on a farm. Their human counterparts, on the other hand, seemed pretty uneasy, Becker said.

"They were extremely rattled," Becker said. "I don’t think they’ve ever had anything break down before. ... It was pretty catastrophic. It was pretty bad.

"... It literally fell apart as they were driving to go home."

Becker said they were able to make the repairs within two hours.

"We made some new friends both two-legged and four-legged," Sub-Trailer wrote on their social media.

"Definitely one of the unique stories for Sub," another told Patch.

Becker was just glad the horses were pulled before the worst case scenario could have happened, and they were happy to host their hoofed friends while they put their human ones at ease.

"It was awesome," Becker said.

TINLEY PARK, IL — Nearly a dozen Tinley Park residents will begin work to collaboratively oversee a state-funded cleanup of the former mental health center property that has sat vacant since 2012 after being appointed to a newly formed committee established Thursday by the Park District Board of Commissioners.

The Remediate 280 Committee was formed to oversee the cleanup of the property, which was purchased by the Park District for $1 earlier this year. In addition, the group will also provide feedback and environmental remediation as work on the 280-acre plot of land begins, park district officials said.

The committee was established at Wednesday night’s Board of Commissioners meeting when Chairperson and Park District Commissioner Lisa O’Donovan and co-chair Ashley Rubino were assigned to head up the group, which is made up entirely of Tinley Park residents who are committed to ensuring a safe and proper clean-up of contamination at the site.

“The state-funded cleanup process is just beginning, but we are excited to finally get rid of this eyesore for Tinley Park,” O’Donovan said in a news release.

In August, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law House Bill 3743 to transfer the property to the Park District. The Park District is working through steps to officially own the property, including effectuating the land transfer and unlocking $15 million in state grant funding to pay for cleanup efforts, the news release said.

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Under the new law, the Park District saved Tinley Park taxpayers over $4.5 million to purchase the site, which the Village of Tinley Park had previously offered to pay for the property. Village officials said previously that they were caught off-guard when the park district announced plans to purchase the property.

The property has been the site of two fires within the past six months, which remain under investigation. The most recent blaze took place on Oct. 20 and required firefighters from various departments to fight the blaze for two hours. Fire officials said that firefighters were hampered by overgrowth in the area and a lack of fire hydrants.

"This is the second significant fire that the Fire Department has responded to on this property within the last six months, with the last one back on April 28," Village Manager Pat Carr said in a statement after the fire. "This property has become a homeless encampment and poses an extremely high danger for these people and our firefighters due to the poor condition of the property."

After Pritzker announced that the park district had obtained the property, Sen. Mike Hastings said transferring the property to park officials “was one of the best decisions the State of Illinois made this year.”

The Park District also has leading environmental experts on board to help oversee cleanup, the group said. Renee Cipriano, the former head of the IEPA under two former governors, and Elizabeth S. Harvey, an environmental attorney with Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, will work with the group to ensure that the cleanup is done properly from an environmental standpoint.

The group said that the two experts’ immense knowledge will guide the Park District as it engages in an updated environmental study of the property and begins cleanup work to pave the way for redevelopment of the property. The work will be funded through the state grant that was awarded to the Park District in this year’s fiscal year state budget.

Other Tinley Park residents assigned to the committee include Tana Burhans, Bill Devine, John Gorajski, Amjad (AJ) Haj, Dan McAllister, Melissa Sanfilippo, Rona Szabo, Carmelita Wagner, and Sylvester Wilson.

“We are very grateful to the Remediate 280 Committee members for their contributions to this important cleanup work,” Rubino said in the news release. “Through our efforts, we will ensure the entire 280 acres of the property will be cleaned up and restored for our residents.”

The Hirsch family was in a pinch when one member behind its lights display was injured—but his vision still lit up, with some help.

Patch Staff

|Updated Thu, Dec 7, 2023 at 1:37 pm CT

TINLEY PARK, IL — When Chris Hirsch woke up from his surgery, the first thing he fretted was that he wouldn't be able to pull it off this year.

The Tinley Park man who takes great pride in a massive Christmas lights display at his family's home on Nottingham Drive had torn a tendon in his arm, with an emergent surgery early in November. As the fog lifted after the procedure, that display was fresh on his mind.

"'I can’t feel my arm, Christmas will never get done!'" his wife Jori recalled him saying.

But never say never—he was out there soon after his return from the hospital. Arm in a sling, he wasn't letting it stop him.

"This is what he lives for," Jori Hirsch said. "This is his pride and joy."

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The home at 7805 Nottingham Dr.—which was a contender in last year's ABC7's Chicago Light Fight—is decked out in an estimated thousands of feet in garland, more than 100,000 lights, and so much more. Usually they keep count of each piece, but truthfully, Hirsch said, they didn't tally it this year, while under the stress of Chris' surgery.

But they needed to get it done, she said, and everyone stepped up. Their sons Kyle and Joshua worked tirelessly to bring their dad's vision to life for a third year.

"They both stepped it up and worked harder than ever," Jori said. "Fourteen-hour days on weekends. Non-stop, and skipping lunch, and not listening to mom about lunch."

New to the display this year are Santa in his sleigh with reindeer, poised to fly off the roof. Also added to the display are themed trees, white with specific colors aimed at recognizing specific diseases or conditions and honoring those afflicted.

Green lights, to recognize Chris' dad and other heart transplant survivors, along with mental health. Blue to honor Jori's mother and father, as well as Fabry Disease. Purple for pancreatic cancer and lupus. Other trees are nods to stroke sufferers. The causes have touched Jori and Chris personally, whether among family members or friends.

They seek opportunities to personalize the display and enhance the sentimentality, Jori said. Particularly special this year is the addition of her mother's ceramic village. Since her mother's death in 2012, the village has been in storage.

"I have not touched the village in quite some time," Jori told Patch. "I grew up putting the village up with my mom every year, this year my son Kyle and I put it up together. It was amazing—happy tears."

Jori and Chris were touched by the community's response to the news of his injury—a torn tendon in his right arm—which he incurred while moving a trailer used for storing and transporting decorations.

As the family stared down a huge task in front of them, many neighbors came by, some offering help and others just an encouraging word.

"I can’t even describe how emotional it was to have neighbors come walking down and say, 'What can we do?'" Hirsch said. "My husband is not one to ask for help, nor are my children...."

But with some nudging from Jori, the family accepted the helping hands and finished up the display, which she estimates includes an additional 30,000 lights this year. They're collecting donations for Tinley Park PAWS, with a dog house built for cash donations and a QR code for Venmo contributions, as well. They hope to raise as much as possible.

"We have a big goal this year," she said,"We want to raise as much as we can for them."

A specific goal has not been set, she said, "if we don't reach it, I'm going to personally try to reach it," Hirsch said, laughing.

All the work is worth it, she says, when she sees the joy the display brings. A girl from the neighborhood came by as they were finishing the display, and Hirsch caught the reflection of the lights in her eyes.

"The smile and the twinkle in her eye was unbelievable," Hirsch said. "This is why we do what we do."

The Hirsch home is located at 7805 Nottingham Dr. Hours for viewing are Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m., and 5 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Donations are welcomed but not required. Visitors should tune to 89.9 FM to catch the trees singing along to Christmas tunes, and other musical features. Also available at the display are candy canes and beads for the taking, Hirsch said. They'll also host Christmas characters on set dates to be announced, as well as handing out hot cocoa.

She can't wait to see their hard work pay off as more people stop by.

"It makes it all worth it," she said. "My body’s sore, my hands are rough. ... but that makes it worth it."

Follow the Hirsch Christmas Lights Facebook page for the latest on the display.

Tinley Park-Park District officials, legislators and supporters on Tuesday discussed what comes next for Tinley Mental Health Center land.

Patch Staff

TINLEY PARK, IL — Flanked by supporters and key players in the development of the Tinley Mental Health Center land, Tinley Park-Park District officials on Tuesday celebrated the signing of key legislation, and talked next steps for the property.

After Gov. Pritzker earlier this month signed House Bill 3743, the state will soon transfer the 280 acres to the park district for $1. Officials on Tuesday outlined how they'll approach remediation of the contaminated and problematic land.

The park district is currently working with the state to begin the land transfer to officially own the property, officials said.

The park district last week announced it has tapped environmental experts Renee Cipriano, former director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and Elizabeth S. Harvey, an environmental attorney, for their guidance in the project.

"Their expertise will guide the Park District as it engages in an updated environmental study of the property and begins cleanup work to pave the way for redevelopment of the property," the park district said in a release.

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The work—beginning with a refreshed environmental assessment of the property by Tetra Tech—as well as security at the site will be funded through a $15 million state grant that was awarded to the park district in this fiscal year’s state budget to clean up the site. The park district is working to enter into a grant agreement with the state to unlock that funding, officials said.

"I am very proud of the steps the Park District is taking towards demolishing and remediating the Tinley Park Mental Health Center property," said Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). "The outstanding demolition and environmental experts are reflective of their commitment to excellence."

The park district formally bid on the property, 7400-7600 W. 183rd St., in November 2022. In December, the organization gave a glimpse of its plans for the property, which would include a sports dome, hub of athletic fields, track and field facilities and open recreational space—plans they say received praise from more than a dozen legislators and public officials. Phase 1 includes a playground and sports facilities fully accessible for people living with special needs, multipurpose athletic fields, a domed sports complex with a full-size soccer field, a stadium with a track, a splash pad, concession stands, spectator stands, lighting, ample parking, as well as a pond, picnic areas and open green space.

Attending a press conference at the park district Tuesday were Hastings, Reps. Robert Rita and Debbie Meyers-Martin and supporters of the Park District’s plans for the property, including the South Suburban Special Recreation Association, Lincolnway Special Recreation Association and Tinley Park youth sports organizations.

Commissioner Lisa O'Donovan said that though it's not immediately visible in changes to the property, the park district is strategizing its approach once the property is in its hands.

"We anticipate the process to take ownership will take some time, but we are working hard to hit the ground running once we do," O'Donovan said. "Cleaning up the property is our number one priority, something we know all Tinley Park residents agree with us on."

A previous study by Tetra Tech in 2014 detailed the property as one with "a complex history and numerous environmental concerns." The report went on to list issues with the property, including asbestos-filled buildings, soccer fields atop toxic waste, leaking transformers, landfill areas and "drums of waste materials, potentially hazardous liquids, as well as debris areas," the report states.

Village officials questioned throughout the bidding process the park district's ability to cover the cost of the necessary measures for the property.

Work on the property cannot begin until the park district owns it, officials said.

"... it might seem like no progress is being made on the actual land," O'Donovan said, of the interim, "but we want everyone to know that we are moving as quickly as possible."

Rep. Meyers-Martin expressed she's eager to see progress on the property.

"I am extremely excited about this new Tinley Park-Park District project," she said.

"As a former Mayor, I absolutely understand the importance and the value in supporting our park districts because they are essential to the landscape of our communities," she said. "As a result of knowing that value, I am so enthusiastic about the team that is being assembled to work on the remediation of the site scheduled for development by the Tinley Park-Park District. We are looking forward to the fabulous opportunities that this project has in store for our entire southland region."

Cipriano said she's thrilled to be called in to consult on the project.

"It's one that is exciting, and it's a win across the board," Cipriano said. "Illinois EPA has one of the oldest and truly most robust cleanup programs that we have in the nation, and so I am confident with this wonderful team that we've assembled, the work of the state, that we will be able to get this property cleaned up and put back for the public use and for the community enjoyment.

"... Let's get to work."

Rita applauded the park district's efforts to acquire the property.

"Today is a wonderful day for Tinley Park and the entire southland region," said Rep. Rita. "I’m proud to have worked to help pass this legislation to sell this site to the Park District and provide $15 million to clean up the land so it can be redeveloped for the community and entire area."