Orland Park board approves inclusive Shushler Park playground, three-year CareSolace agreement, TIF closure and 12-hour police shifts

The Orland Park Village Board approved several measures this week, including a construction award for an all-inclusive playground at Shushler Park, a three-year partnership with CareSolace to help residents find mental-health services, closure of the Main Street Triangle tax increment financing (TIF) district with a new intergovernmental agreement, an amendment to the police contract to adopt 12-hour shifts, and a resolution rededicating Village Hall to former Mayor Frederick T. Owens.

Mayor Jim Dodge summarized the board’s actions in his weekly briefing. "This agreement marks a major milestone in the project as we take the first step in returning a beloved neighborhood park to the community, a park that everyone can enjoy," Dodge said of the Shushler Park award.

Why it matters: the park project adds accessible recreation in a neighborhood location; the CareSolace contract aims to expand local mental-health navigation; closing the Main Street Triangle TIF is intended to generate additional revenue for local taxing bodies; changing police schedules will alter staffing and patrol patterns; and the rededication recognizes a former mayor.

Shushler Park: The board approved a construction award for an all-inclusive playground at Shushler Park. The work described by the mayor includes the playground equipment itself, a half-court basketball court, a pavilion and drainage improvements. The mayor characterized the vote as the "first step" in returning the neighborhood park to the community.

CareSolace partnership: The board approved a three-year agreement with CareSolace to provide free access to a service that helps residents, students, businesses and village employees find mental-health providers. Dodge said the network includes "nearly 300 local providers in the Orland Park area" and that the village is contacting the township, the library and other entities to join the program.

TIF closure and new intergovernmental agreement: The board voted to close the longstanding Main Street Triangle TIF and create a new intergovernmental agreement. Dodge said the action will generate "about 2 and a half million dollars in additional revenue for our schools," and that it ends possible litigation while honoring a village commitment made in 2007. He said the new arrangement will direct revenue to local schools, the fire district and the library.

Police contract amendment: The board passed an amendment to the contract with the Metropolitan Alliance of Police to allow 12-hour shifts for patrol officers. Dodge said the new schedule will begin in February, was "overwhelmingly supported by our patrol officers," and is expected to increase the number of officers per shift and improve officers’ quality of life.

Village Hall rededication: The board adopted a resolution rededicating Orland Park Village Hall as the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall. Dodge said the resolution restores the building sign and honors former Mayor Frederick T. Owens.

Votes at a glance: - Construction award for Shushler Park all-inclusive playground — approved (vote tally not specified). - Three-year partnership with CareSolace for mental-health navigation — approved (vote tally not specified). - Closure of Main Street Triangle TIF and new intergovernmental agreement to allocate roughly $2.5 million to local taxing bodies — approved (vote tally not specified). - Amendment with Metropolitan Alliance of Police to adopt 12-hour shifts (effective February) and increase officers per shift — approved (vote tally not specified). - Resolution rededicating Village Hall to Frederick T. Owens — approved (vote tally not specified).

The mayor’s briefing also noted non-vote items including the monthly Chamber of Commerce updates and recognition of local businesses; those ceremonial items were not part of the board’s formal actions described above.