La Grange Group Ended After Scandal; Building To Be Torn Down

LA GRANGE, IL – A four-decade-old La Grange nonprofit group shut its doors late last year after a controversy involving its executive director exploded into public view.

Now, the local park district, which owns LeaderShop's old building, wants to tear down the building, according to village records.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, trustees are set to vote on an agreement between the district and the village to let local firefighters hold training in the building before its demolition.

The fire department said it has obtained an EPA burn permit for the "live fire" exercise.

"Use of the facility poses a rare and valuable opportunity to conduct realistic fire suppression and rescue drills in a controlled environment," a village memo said.

The building is at 4903 Willow Springs Road, which is at Denning Park.

In response to a Patch inquiry, Jenny Bechtold, the district's executive director, said November's successful referendum included the removal of the building. Bringing it up to current standards, she said, would have cost too much.

"Rather than investing significant funds into an aging facility, the Board chose to allocate resources toward improvements that will better serve the community in the long term," Bechtold said in an email. "Looking ahead, we're excited to share that permanent outdoor restrooms — a new two-unit stall building — are planned for construction on the site in 2026."

In the summer of 2024, the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission revoked its grant to LeaderShop, which provided leadership opportunities for youth. The commission's money made up 40 percent of LeaderShop's budget.

In pulling the grant, the commission alleged Alan Morales, LeaderShop's longtime executive director, sexually harassed female township officials the previous December at a holiday party.

In July 2024, the LeaderShop board released a statement, acknowledging that it disciplined Morales in connection with the party.

Morales, who made $171,000 a year, agreed to leave by September 2024. The board named an acting executive director, while Morales took the role of "executive director emeritus."

Morales did not publicly address the harassment allegations.

Last November, LeaderShop announced it would suspend its programs effective Dec. 12.

"This decision was not made lightly, but it reflects our commitment to ensuring that we can continue to offer you the best possible experiences in the future," the group said in a Facebook post.