La Grange Leader Takes Offense To Trustee's Comment

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange's village president said Monday that he took offense to a trustee's apparent dig at a previous Village Board, on which the president served.

Another trustee seemed to agree with her colleague's facts.

The incident at Monday's Village Board meeting was a rare departure from the usual collegiality among the president and trustees.

During the meeting, trustees were discussing a developer's proposed 39-unit complex to replace the Jackson Square antique mall, a project that the board ultimately approved. Trustee Glenn Thompson noted a previous developer's plan.

"Five years ago, a developer had a plan to tear it down and build (50) condos. They decided not to build it, not because a (statewide historical preservation group) got involved," said Thompson, who was elected in 2023. "They got tired of dealing with the Village Board and walked away."

Village President Mark Kuchler, who was a board trustee at the time, said he could not let that comment pass.

"I don't believe that's true," said Kuchler, who was appointed president in 2020 upon Tom Livingston's resignation. "I can tell you this, the matter never came before the Village Board. I think it's an insult to the Village Board. I served on that Village Board. We never did anything to tire (the developer). It went to different commissions, and they chose not to pursue the project."

Trustee Beth Augustine, who was running for trustee at the time, said she attended two Plan Commission meetings on the previous proposal.

"It had been quite a battle, never seen anything like it," she said.

She said she recalled the commission recommending against the complex. It then went to the Village Board, which sent the matter back to the commission for further review, she said.

The village's records show that Augustine was correct. The commission voted 4-2 against the development. After the board voted to send the issue back to the commission, the developer withdrew the application.

Kuchler said the board dealt with the developer respectfully.

"If there was a suggestion otherwise, I take offense to that," he said.

Augustine replied, "I'm simply saying what I observed, and I don't think I'm being disrespectful."