Residents raise concerns about alleged thermostat control, wildlife feeding rules and upside-down flag; village cites limited authority

At the Nov. 18 Tinley Park meeting, residents raised separate concerns about possible unauthorized control of household devices, feeding wildlife and a neighbor’s upside-down American flag.

Linda Knight of Budingan Lane told trustees she is "still on my fact finding mission about who is using a wireless device to control my thermostat," saying the device appears connected to a neighbor’s Nest system. Staff said local response options are limited and that the issue may involve the utility (ComEd) or a state or federal jurisdiction; they recommended escalating the matter beyond local resources and offered to help Linda document the concern.

Knight also asked whether the village’s nuisance ordinance prohibits feeding wildlife; staff confirmed the nuisance ordinance does prohibit putting food on the ground for wildlife, and noted other restrictions may apply.

Separately, resident Greg Saligle said a neighbor displays the U.S. flag upside down. The village attorney and another trustee explained that displaying a flag upside down is protected speech under the First Amendment and the village cannot regulate it. "While many people will find it distasteful...it is a protected First Amendment right," the attorney said, citing constitutional protections and Supreme Court precedent.

The board offered follow-up assistance for Knight's utility/thermostat concern and clarified the village's nuisance ordinance and free-speech limits for flag displays. No enforcement action or ordinance changes were adopted during the meeting.