Despite statistics that show Orland Square is the safest mall in the Chicago area, its operator has implemented a Youth Supervision Policy, limiting hours for unaccompanied teen guests.
A Sept. 12 incident at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park, east of Orland Square, continues to cause headaches.
That night, police from Orland Park, the Cook County Sheriff's Department and neighboring towns responded to reports of fighting and more than 800 people inside the facility. No injuries were reported.
After hearings into the matter, Orland Park Village Manager George Koczwara pulled the facility’s license in December, citing safety concerns and Sky Zone’s handling of the situation.
The village board unanimously upheld Koczwara’s decision March 1, but less than 24 hours later, Sky Zone took the village to court. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Eve Reilly said the business may stay open until the case is settled.
Throughout the hearing process, Sky Zone has objected to a village employee having the final say on the license. Its attorney, Kevin Gerow, said that perhaps a fine or suspension would be in order but not a revocation. He also disputed the number of people who were at the facility that night, saying video evidence shows Sky Zone was under limits.
Gordon Jesperson, executive vice president and general counsel at CircusTrix Holdings LLC, the parent company of Sky Zone, said: “We look forward to appealing this matter to the Cook County Circuit Court, where a judge and not a village official will hear our case.”
Koczwara said pulling the license was the right thing to do.
“This is unfortunate,” he said. “We didn’t want to have to close a business. But villages don’t close businesses, businesses close businesses. We felt we had a lengthy and thorough investigation.”
