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Fox River Grove board OKs special-use permit for massage school at 912 Northwest Highway
Summary
The Village Board approved Ordinance 2025-04 allowing Julie Bevel, co‑founder of Fox River Med Spa, to operate a massage school at 912 Northwest Highway, Suite 209. The school — approved by the state after an 18‑month process — will offer affordable tuition, hands‑on clinics and weekday and some Saturday hours.
Village of Fox River Grove trustees voted to grant a special‑use permit for a massage school at 912 Northwest Highway, Suite 209, approving Ordinance 2025‑04 on March 4, 2025.
Assistant Administrator Bechler introduced petitioner Julie Bevel, who said she and a business partner are co‑founders of Fox River Med Spa and seek to open an affordable massage‑therapy school to address a local shortage of trained therapists. "We have identified a need for more affordable massage school training to fulfill the shortage in massage therapists," Bevel said, adding that the program has been approved by the State of Illinois after an 18‑month approval process.
The board discussion focused on site suitability and program operations. Trustee Steve Knar asked why the applicants chose the address; Bevel replied that a professional medical‑building setting, plentiful parking, proximity to the train station and the ability to own a suite were deciding factors. Trustee Melissa Schladt asked about hours; Bevel said the school would operate roughly five hours a day, five days a week, with some Saturday classes and hands‑on clinical hours.
Trustee Steve Knar moved to approve the special use; Trustee Melissa Schladt seconded. A voice vote was taken: Trustees Jennifer Curtiss, Devin Hester, Steve Knar and Melissa Schladt voted "yes." The motion passed and Ordinance 2025‑04 was adopted.
Why it matters: The permit allows a new local training program that the petitioner says will provide lower‑cost training and clinical experience to expand the local pool of massage therapists. The school will operate from a professional medical building near transit and aims to include hands‑on clinical instruction.
The board took no additional conditions on hours or curriculum at the March 4 meeting. The ordinance approval allows the petitioner to move forward with licensing, student recruitment and occupancy preparations.
