Alzheimer's Association and Ed & Joe's highlighted in Tinley Park business spotlight

The Tinley Park Village Board recognized two local organizations during its business spotlight on Sept. 16: Rebecca Santana of the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and representatives of Ed and Joe's Restaurant & Pizzeria.

Rebecca Santana described the Alzheimer's Association's mission and cited prevalence figures for Alzheimer's disease, noting the organization’s role in care, research and advocacy. "Currently, we know that there are over 7,000,000 Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and over 12,000,000 unpaid family caregivers," Santana said, and she urged community participation in the South Suburban Walk to End Alzheimer's at the 80th Avenue Metro Station on Saturday, Oct. 4; festivities were said to kick off at 8:30 a.m. She also provided resources, saying the association's helpline is available 24/7 and directing interested residents to alz.org/illinois for registration and information.

The board then played a short video and welcomed Mike and Ellen Clark on behalf of Ed and Joe's. A Clark family representative thanked the village for downtown support and said the restaurant — which the board noted has been part of downtown Tinley Park for decades — has already experienced increased business since the opening of Harmony Square in July. "We've already felt the impact," the speaker said, and added that recent events increased customer volume; the exchange noted parking concerns but framed them as a positive sign of downtown activity.

Village trustees and the mayor congratulated both groups; trustees referenced Tinley Park's designation as a dementia-friendly community and encouraged residents to attend the walk. Trustees also praised downtown events at Harmony Square, noting early indicators of increased patronage for local businesses.

No formal board action was required for the business-spotlight presentations.