La Grange Business A Mystery As Village Dispute Continues: Memo

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange is trying to figure out which businesses are operating at a commercial complex that officials say is full of violations.

The property consists of the next-door buildings at 608 E. Cossitt Ave. and 300 Washington Ave.

According to a village memo last week, USA Water & Fire Services applied for an occupancy certificate for Unit D in the Washington building.

In February, the village ticketed the owner of a vehicle for blocking a door for Unit D. It belonged to an employee of IDIADA Automotive Technology USA, the memo said.

The village said it then confirmed that IDIADA occupied Unit D without a business license or occupancy certificate. Citations were issued.

In late March, IDIADA then submitted a business license application for Unit D. The village said the proposed use for the property was unclear, so it asked for more information.

As of this week, Unit D appeared to be occupied, but it was unclear which business was there, according to the memo.

Patch could find no contact information for either business.

The owner of the building since 2003 is the Beverly Christensen Trust.

At a March 10 meeting of the Plan Commission, attorney David Moskowitz identified himself as representing the landlord. Patch left a message with him Friday.

The village contends that many businesses in the complex are violating the local code with their parking and loading.

Officials say some of the businesses lack business licenses and occupancy permits, calling them "illegally occupied."

The trust says car and truck repair businesses largely occupy the space.

The village and the trust have battled for years, even in court. At one point, the trust declined to identify the tenants in the units, according to village documents.

A year ago, the Village Board voted to settle a 2020 lawsuit it filed against the Christensen Trust.

Among other things, the agreement required the trust to provide the village with a list of tenants.