This Burr Ridge Business Seeks La Grange Tax Break

LA GRANGE, IL – A Burr Ridge business that is looking to move to La Grange is seeking a tax break from the La Grange Village Board.

Theatrical Lighting Connection, which is at 411 Heathrow Court in Burr Ridge, is seeking a lower market assessment of its property, which would reduce its tax burden.

The village is expected to take up the issue at its meeting Monday.

Since 1984, the company has designed lighting for Chicago area concerts, theaters, corporate events, films and trade shows.

The firm hopes to move to the building at 9600 W. Ogden Ave., which has been vacant since 2020. It expects to employ up to 18 people within three years; it currently has 10.

In 1949, the property, which is next to the railroad, was developed by Starkey Chemical, according to a village memo. It was later occupied by B-B Chemical Corp., which left in November 2020.

Theatrical Lighting is seeking a lower property assessment under a Cook County program.

In 2019, the property tax bill was nearly $67,000. With the building vacant, the taxes fell to about $28,000.

Based on the current purchase contract price, the property taxes would increase to $126,000. With the break, the taxes would total about $50,000. That's $22,000 more than when the building was vacant, but about $17,000 less than when it was last occupied.

The tax break would last a decade. The property assessment would then slightly increase over the following two years. By the 13th year, the taxes would return to normal.

The village expects the company to generate $4,000 in annual sales taxes.

In late 2020 and early 2021, the building owner sought village permits for a number of improvements. Theatrical Lighting proposes replacing the roof, adding energy-efficient lighting, adding another restroom and upgrading the security system.

According to the village memo, two other La Grange businesses benefit from the county tax program – Dubak Electrical Group, 10 N. Beach Ave., and Billet Specialties, 501 Shawmut Ave.