Pharma Firm’s Des Plaines Expansion Seeks Tax Breaks

A $163 million expansion for a German pharmaceutical company’s U.S. headquarters in Des Plaines is on track for city approval.

Vetter, which fills and packages injectable medications, is planning a 158,000-square-foot manufacturing and office development at its nearly 18-acre campus at 10 West Algonquin Road. The Des Plaines City Council gave the project its first green light in March and is expected to cast a final vote Monday, the Daily Herald reported.

The expansion would pave the way for the company to consolidate operations from its Skokie site and bring at least 50 full-time jobs to Des Plaines within four years.

Vetter acquired the Des Plaines property in 2017 with plans to redevelop the site, but construction was delayed, and a previous development agreement with the city expired. The company relaunched the plan last year.

City officials backed Vetter’s request for a Cook County property tax break meant to encourage industrial redevelopment. The city council last month recommended the reduced assessment rate, which would apply only to the new building and cut Vetter’s annual tax bill by roughly $3.7 million for 12 years.

Vetter executives said the project would not be financially viable without the incentive. The Cook County Board will still need to approve the measure.

Most aldermen voiced support for the proposal but 5th Ward Alderman Carla Brookman voted against both the development and tax abatement.

She argued the city missed an opportunity to buy the land for public use years ago and questioned whether a factory is the best fit for the site. Brookman also raised concerns about noise impacts on nearby homes, a point 8th Ward Alderman Mike Charewicz countered by noting the company’s plans to build fencing as a buffer.

— Judah Duke