La Grange Park's Village Board voted unanimously to approve a measure in opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's "Building Up Illinois Developments" housing initiative, joining other suburban municipalities that have pushed back against the governor's plan.

La Grange Park is not alone in its opposition. Homer Glen's Village Board voted 4-0 in April to oppose BUILD, and the Illinois Municipal League introduced competing legislation on May 7 that shares the governor's goal of expanding housing supply but strips out the mandates that have alarmed local leaders.

Neighboring La Grange took a different approach last month. That village's board unanimously created a Housing Citizens Task Force to review affordable housing strategies. La Grange Village President Mark Kuchler said the task force would work "to maintain and potentially increase affordable housing to stay in compliance with Illinois state mandates." La Grange currently meets the state's 10% affordability threshold at 13%.

Pritzker unveiled BUILD as a centerpiece of his February State of the State address. The plan would impose statewide zoning standards, mandate increased residential density, legalize accessory dwelling units such as backyard cottages, set minimum lot sizes, and limit local parking requirements. It also includes $250 million in capital funds for construction and down payment assistance. The governor's office has said Illinois is short roughly 142,000 housing units and will need to build more than 225,000 in five years to meet demand.

La Grange Park's next board meeting is May 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 447 N. Catherine Ave.