La Grange McDonald's Scales Back Request

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange's McDonald's, which plans to replace its building, previously indicated it would request an around-the-clock schedule.

But residents protested and started an online petition, drawing nearly 250 signatures.

Last week, the village government posted a legal notice for a public hearing for the McDonald's proposal.

The notice states that it wants to expand its general business hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. to midnight for the drive-thru. Its indoor dining hours would be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The hearing is set for 7:30 p.m. June 13 at Village Hall.

In the Change.org petition, residents on nearby North Madison Avenue stated they appreciate the restaurant's offer to improve fencing and landscaping. But they opposed the restaurant being open 24 hours a day.

They said such a schedule increased the potential for crime, noting recent armed robberies at La Grange's two 7-Eleven convenience stores.

They also said they were concerned with increased traffic, more garbage, and noise and light pollution.

The restaurant wants to construct a 4,100-square-foot building, which would be 5 percent larger than the current one. It plans two drive-thru lanes.

McDonald's has been at 100 N. La Grange Road for a quarter century. It was accompanied by a gas station until 2019, when the canopy and pumps were removed.

In its application, McDonald's said its changes would have no adverse impact on neighbors because the area is mainly businesses.

The restaurant said its drive-thru boards, which can be a potential source of noise, will be positioned away from houses on Madison Avenue