About

Luther Village front entrance sign

About Luther Village

In the mid-1980s the Shaw Company set out to design a retirement community unlike any other in Chicagoland. The master plan included ownership benefits for residents, superior residences, and an affiliation with a quality healthcare provider. The result was Luther Village, the first full-equity-ownership retirement community in the Midwest. Established in the Village of Arlington Heights in 1990, Luther Village offers a lush 55-acre campus with mature trees, walking paths, restful gardens and ponds, and a variety of spacious, beautifully appointed living options, including ranch-style Villas, Courtyard Homes and condo style buildings. An array of premier services and amenities are available at Wittenberg Commons, the hub of our beautiful campus. One of the best places to retire? Many think so. Luther Village is considered one of the finest over 55 communities in the state of Illinois.

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What does Full-Equity with Cooperative Ownership Mean?

Luther Village’s residency model is just one of the things that makes it so special. The founders of Luther Village believed that seniors should not have to give up the benefits of home ownership in exchange for retirement living. Cooperative ownership means that:

  • You have the benefits similar to owning your own home, however you truly own stock in the entire community.
  • Instead of holding a title or deed, you own shares of stock in the Luther Village Owners’ Corporation.
  • Upon selling your residence, you or your estate realize the market value of your home instead of a partial refund of an entry fee or rental community.
  • Many premier amenities and services are available to the entire community at a comparatively lower per-capita cost.
  • You have an important voice in the community’s decision-making process.

This type of ownership is very different from those of traditional retirement communities offering a rental program or large entry fees.

seniors drinking tea with friends

Brokerage Services

The senior living experts of LCS provide the convenience of an onsite brokerage office at Luther Village. Their sales counselors have years of experience, understand the uniqueness of retirement living at our community, and are available to assist you and your family. They’ll conduct visits, provide all the details of the exceptional lifestyle available here, and help with the selection of a home you’re sure to love.

senior couple signing paperwork

Our Leadership Team

Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional experiences for the seniors we serve. Click below to learn more about each of our community leaders and how they impact the lives of our residents and family members.

Joanne Kopper is the Executive Director of Luther Village, bringing extensive experience in senior living leadership with a strong focus on operational excellence, resident-centered care, and team development. She completed her graduate work in counseling and has worked in senior living since 2009, building a career that balances compassionate service with effective and well-managed operations.
 
Throughout her career, Joanne has led complex senior living communities, providing strategic oversight of day-to-day operations, health and wellness services, staffing, and organizational performance. She is known for strengthening operational systems, promoting collaboration across departments, and maintaining high standards of service while supporting long-term organizational stability.
 
Joanne’s professional background also includes experience in private duty home care, which has informed her approach to supporting residents’ evolving needs with flexibility, dignity, and personalized care.
 
In recognition of her leadership and innovation, Joanne received the Strive and Thrive Award from LeadingAge for developing and implementing programs that promote independence, well-being, and quality of life for older adults.
 
Joanne joined Luther Village in January 2026, where she is focused on building strong teams, enhancing operational performance, and advancing the community’s mission through thoughtful, transparent, and responsive leadership.

Bio coming soon!

Laurie is in charge of all aspects of food & beverage operations. She is responsible for over-seeing menu development, purchasing, staffing, training, quality control, food & liquor costs, and inventory. Ensuring the dining experience meets expectations and follows current trends. Laurie brings 20+ years’ experience in hospitality and marketing communications – Four Seasons and Westin brands, as well 12 years with Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. Her attention to detail, training and service standards, as well as her passion for all things food & beverage make her a great fit to help strengthen our dining department.

Cindy works to enhance both resident and employee satisfaction through oversight and management of Human Resources at Luther Village. Cindy has more than 35 years of experience in hospitality and human resources.

Jessica Schnoor is a registered nurse specializing in geriatric medicine with over 15 years experience in Senior Living and post acute care case management. Jessica strives to provide guidance to residents and families to ensure independence, quality of life and high quality care. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her daughter and family, loves animals, reading and crafting.

Sharon Mitchell is the Controller at Luther Village. Sharon oversees the Accounting Department, prepares budgets, reconciles accounts, and presents quarterly financials to the Board of Directors. Sharon is also responsible for preparing individual real estate tax statements for residents. Sharon’s main goal is assisting residents with understanding their finances related to Luther Village, thus making accounting more user-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Luther Village is its own entity.

Luther Village is managed by a duly elected Board of Directors with a professional on-site staff and has a consulting agreement with LCS, a senior living company with over 50 years’ experience.

Luther Village is a purchase community with a cooperative form of ownership.

We have Studios, 1 bedroom, 1 bedroom + den, 2 bedroom and 2 bedroom +den homes available in our mid-rise residence buildings as well as our villa/courtyard homes.

No, Luther Village is non-denominational.

Luther Village is an independent senior living community, whose residents can age in place. If there is a need for additional care, information and resources are made available to the residents.

As part of your monthly fees, there are two on-site dining venues where you can use your dining minimum.

Some inclusions are real estate taxes, dining minimum, exterior building maintenance, security, fitness room and classes, snow removal, landscaping, refuse, and many activities. Other services are available based on a monthly fee schedule.

Yes, Luther Village offers scheduled transportation to several local shopping areas.

You must be 55 years or older, qualify both financially and medically.

Residents and Families Love Luther Village!

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Have More Questions About Luther Village?

We’d love to hear from you! Just reach out to our expert team and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.

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