La Grange Medical Office Ban Called 'Biased'

LA GRANGE, IL — A La Grange law prohibits medical offices on the first floor of downtown buildings — something one of the village trustees would like to repeal.

The subject came up this week when La Grange-based Pillars Community Health presented its request for an exemption to the rule. It plans to open a temporary clinic for coronavirus vaccinations on the first floor of the building at 27 Calendar Ave.

Such rules are usually in place so that sales tax-generating businesses are in prime locations.

Trustee Dave McCarty said he has waged an ongoing campaign to eliminate the rule.

"The general idea of a restriction on medical offices on the first floor is biased in two manners: One, it's not a sales tax-producing entity. And two, people who come for medical help are not necessarily shoppers. I think those are both wrong. I'd like us to reconsider why we even have a prohibition when we have dark storefronts otherwise."

He said both customers and medical office employees buy food from restaurants and shop when they're in downtown.

In response, Angela Curran, chief executive of Pillars, said she also has wondered about the rule.

"I have asked that question for 13 years," she said.

McCarty responded, "You've got a friend in me on that."

In May, though, McCarty is leaving the Village Board. He is not running again in the April 6 election.

The board unanimously approved the organization's request. No other trustees commented on the village's rule.

La Grange is hardly alone with such a prohibition. Just last week, the Hinsdale Village Board rejected a Chicago-based bank's plan for opening an office on Ogden Avenue. Village officials said they preferred sales tax-producing businesses on the first floor of buildings between Interstate 294 and York Road. Banks don't generate such taxes.