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Wheeling OKs special use for private therapeutic school; owner plans November opening pending state accreditation
Summary
The board approved a special use for Inspired Learners Academy, a private therapeutic special education school at 410 East Dundee Road, with plan‑commission conditions including no on‑site food service and that playground or outdoor improvements must receive separate approval.
The Wheeling Village Board on July 21 approved a special‑use permit allowing Inspired Learners Academy to operate a private therapeutic special education school at 410 East Dundee Road (docket PSU25‑0008). The plan commission had recommended approval with five conditions restricting the use and requiring additional local approvals for outdoor improvements and any significant modifications.
Planning staff told the board the special use is limited to a private therapeutic school serving children with autism and related developmental needs as described in the petitioner’s materials. Conditions include: a requirement for a Wheeling business license prior to operations, plan‑commission approval of any minor site plan or appearance changes for outdoor improvements (including any playground or designated drop‑off/pick‑up zones), a prohibition on on‑site or catered food service unless a compliant commercial kitchen is later installed and approved, and a requirement that any significant operational or site modifications return to the plan commission for review.
The petitioner, Karen Olzak, owner of Inspired Learners Academy, told trustees the school is planning to open in November pending approvals and accreditation from the Illinois State Board of Education. Olzak said the program expects to serve students who have been identified as unable to be fully served in their home public districts and described interest from multiple school districts; she said the school is planning a 1:1 teacher‑to‑student ratio and is arranging a sensory room inside the building’s former bank vault.
Trustees asked about outdoor play and parking. Olzak said she must work with an architect on playground safety measures and that the playground area had not yet been approved. Planning staff said the property owner is phasing parking and that by opening the petitioner would have about 25 visible parking spaces.
The village board approved the ordinance by roll call. The school must secure the required village business license, obtain any minor site‑plan or appearance approvals for outdoor elements, and complete state accreditation before opening.
Why it matters: The new private therapeutic school would add specialized educational capacity for children with autism and related needs in the Wheeling area; the plan‑commission conditions aim to ensure safety, limit food service until kitchen standards are met, and preserve oversight over future site changes.
Ending: The ordinance passed. Inspired Learners Academy plans to pursue local approvals and Illinois State Board of Education accreditation prior to opening; trustees signaled support but emphasized parking, playground safety, and phased construction as items to monitor.
