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The Chicago Tribune recently published an article detailing a dispute between the Village of Tinley Park and Trace Ambulance, a local provider that had served the community for over three decades. This summer, the village made the decision to end its 35-year partnership with Trace, claiming the move would lead to cost savings. However, just days after the contract officially ended, the village was hit with an unexpected final bill from Trace for nearly $500,000.
According to Trace President Christopher Vandenberg, the charge was for fees that had been routinely waived in the past. “It’s clear we’re owed this money,†he said. The village, however, has refused to pay, and officials have remained silent on the matter, citing ongoing legal concerns.
In a letter obtained through an open records request, Tinley Park Treasurer Brad Bettenhausen stated, “We do not believe that Trace is or ever was entitled to any additional compensation for these claimed amounts.†The financial conflict began in July, when the village awarded a new $3.7 million contract to Kurtz Ambulance, which submitted a bid 21% lower than what Trace had offered.
Trace argues that under their expired contract, the village was required to pay $200 per hour for any additional ambulance services beyond what was stipulated. Since the contract ended, Trace calculated the number of extra hours from May 2010 and sent an invoice totaling $492,206. The village, however, expressed surprise at the amount, stating they had never been informed of such charges before.
Bettenhausen noted in his response that if such fees had existed, they should have been billed regularly during the contract period. “No such notice or billing of such charges has occurred,†he wrote. The village also questioned the validity of the charges, saying there was no record of them requesting additional services.
On September 5, Vandenberg responded again, reiterating Trace’s demand for payment. Bettenhausen once more denied the claim, pointing out that Trace had never previously sought additional compensation for backup ambulances. Vandenberg explained that his company had historically waived those charges as part of negotiations.
The tension first became apparent during a public safety meeting in May, when village officials revealed that Kurtz's bid was significantly lower than Trace’s. At that meeting, Vandenberg and Brian Dolan, an executive from Trace’s parent company, warned the village that terminating the service could be risky. They emphasized that Trace had been the primary ambulance provider since 1979, with only a brief interruption in the 1990s.
Vandenberg also mentioned that during contract negotiations, Tinley officials had asked for cost reductions due to economic conditions, which Trace agreed to. Despite this, the village chose to go with Kurtz, a decision that sparked backlash from some residents and employees who felt it was unfair to abandon a long-standing local business.
This dispute highlights the complexities of long-term contracts and the potential for unexpected financial obligations when partnerships come to an end. As the situation remains unresolved, both sides continue to stand by their positions, leaving the future of the agreement uncertain.
Thanks, Dan.
July 09, 2025