Tinley Park will likely apply to renew a Cook County property tax incentive Class 8 for the Duvan Industrial Park after the Village Board gave preliminary approval in July to the plan.
A Cook County Class 8 tax classification is intended to encourage industrial and commercial development by offering reduced property assessment rates.
Under the classification, the industrial and commercial assessment rate of 25% of estimated market value is reduced to 10%, the same as residential properties, according to the village.
The classification allows the Duvan Industrial District to remain competitive against similar districts in Will County, which has significantly lower tax rates than Cook County, said Carolyn Mitera, the village’s marketing and economic development specialist. Part of Tinley Park is in Will County.
“I think it is the only industrial area within Tinley Park and located in Cook County,” Mitera said. “Considering the proximity of Duvan Industrial Park to Will County and even Indiana locations with lower property taxes, this is just an incentive to remain competitive within Tinley Park in Cook County.”
The area, which centers on Duvan Drive, is bounded by Harlem Avenue to the east, Metra Rock Island railroad to the south and 175th Street to the north.
The area hosts a mix of businesses, especially auto-related businesses. Some can’t necessarily operate in areas with regular commercial zoning, Mitera said.
“They are experiencing some economic stagnation, and they require a little bit of assistance,” Mitera said. “There was a lot of, like, vacancy. It was experiencing that severe economic stagnation, so this just kind of helps keep businesses there.”
The industrial park was originally approved for Class 8 status in 2008, and then recertified in 2012, Mitera said. The village is required to renew the status every five years, Mitera said.
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It was not recertified the next time it came up, in 2017.
“I’m not sure the reason. It may have just been, you know, people transition in and out of jobs,” Mitera said. “I’m not sure why it wasn’t done.”
The industrial park was certified for Class 8 status again in 2021, meaning that it is due for renewal this year, Mitera said.
A resolution authorizing the village to apply for recertification was passed unanimously by the village’s Economic and Commercial Commission July 13, and was also approved unanimously by the Village Board at a July 21 committee meeting, with little discussion.
“My only comment is that I support it,” Trustee Kenneth Shaw said.
The next step is for the Village Board to pass by the resolution. The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Tinley Park Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Ave.
Cook County’s high property tax rates have been a major issue of discussion in the past year. Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office released a report in March saying that in 2025, Illinois had “the dubious distinction of having the highest residential property tax rate in the nation,” while Chicago had the highest commercial rate in the nation.