Will County Board Approves Controversial Solar Farms Following Court Mandate

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026

Article Summary: Under the strict constraints of a court-issued writ of mandamus, the Will County Board grudgingly approved multiple special use permits for commercial solar facilities. The approvals included the 2,258-acre Plum Valley Solar project, while the Board simultaneously passed a resolution urging state lawmakers to restore local zoning control over renewable energy developments.

Commercial Solar Energy Facilities Key Points:

• The Board approved Ordinance 26-108 for the Plum Valley Solar project (ZC-25-139) in a tight 10-9 vote after amending specific conditions on the floor.

• Ordinance 26-109 for the 6,099-acre Pride of the Prairie project (ZC-25-129) was remanded back to the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) to allow for cross-examination per the judge’s order.

• Six other solar projects across the county were approved via 16-3 votes.

• Resolution 26-130, requesting the restoration of local control over commercial solar facilities, passed with an 18-2 vote.

The Will County Board on Thursday, April 16, 2026, faced a tense and emotionally charged meeting as members were legally forced to approve a slate of commercial solar energy facilities after previously voting them down. Driven by the recent passage of state laws severely limiting county zoning authority over renewable energy projects, and a subsequent writ of mandamus from a Will County judge, the Board found itself with no legal alternative but to issue the permits.

The mandates drew fierce pushback from several Board members who argued that state politicians had stripped them of their ability to protect their constituents.

“This is scary that they’ve taken full control away from us,” said Board Member Frankie Pretzel. “The people that elected me expect me to vote based on what they’re asking for from me, and if they don’t like it, they have the right to vote me out. But this changes everything. We don’t even have a say anymore. It’s frustrating. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: It makes me feel dirty.”

Board Member Jim Richmond echoed those sentiments, pointing to the threat of personal contempt of court charges or crippling fines against the county if the Board defied the judge’s order.

“We’ve learned over the course of time that not only are we handcuffed, we’re shackled, and we’re almost muzzled too,” Richmond said. “We just got handed a six-foot-long sandwich that we had to choke down. And to me, we’re here to represent the citizens, but we also have to abide by the law.”

The most debated project was Ordinance 26-108 (Zoning Case ZC-25-139) for Sparrow Management, LLC, known as the Plum Valley Solar Project. The 260-megawatt facility spans approximately 2,258 acres across Monee, Crete, Washington, and Will Townships. The project ultimately passed with a 10-9 vote, but only after Pretzel introduced three floor amendments to the project’s conditions following last-minute negotiations.

The approved amendments specified that:

1. On-site power lines can be placed above ground to avoid wetlands and pipelines, specifically utilizing the CAB above-ground cabling system.

2. Fire lanes and access roads shall be constructed of gravel per the request of local fire departments, and for the specific purposes of the county’s Water Resource Ordinance, this gravel will be considered pervious.

3. Prior to the commencement of construction, the applicant must execute Road Use Agreements with each of the affected Township Road Districts and post required surety bonds.

A companion mega-project, the 6,099-acre Pride of the Prairie Solar Project (Ordinance 26-109 / ZC-25-129) proposed by Lincoln Solar Energy, LLC, was officially pulled from the agenda. Pretzel introduced a motion to remand the project back to the PZC, citing the judge’s order requiring the county to allow further cross-examination and evidence presentation. The board voted 19-0 to remand the case, delaying a final vote until the May 21 meeting.

Public comment during the meeting was heavily divided. Representatives from the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 turned out in force, arguing the projects would create hundreds of well-paying, union construction jobs, stabilize the power grid, and generate millions in local tax revenue. Local farmers and residents living near the proposed sites vehemently opposed the projects, citing the destruction of thousands of acres of prime agricultural land, potential damage to drain tiles, altered watershed dynamics, and the industrialization of the county’s rural character.

In response to the state’s overriding authority, the Board passed Resolution 26-130 in an 18-2 vote. The resolution formally petitions the Illinois legislature to restore local control to county boards regarding commercial solar facilities.

“When we don’t like the law, then we need to work to change the law,” said Democratic Leader Sherry Williams. “We can complain about Springfield all day long, but if we’re not willing to work to fight to get what we need and what we want Springfield to do… that kind of is on us.”

Other solar projects approved during the meeting via 16-3 votes included:

• ORD 26-099 (ZC-24-011): A 64-acre facility on S McKinley Woods Road in Channahon Township.

• ORD 26-100 (ZC-24-041): A facility on Rivals Road in Wesley Township.

• ORD 26-101 (ZC-24-117): A 74.99-acre facility on S Gougar Road in New Lenox Township.

• ORD 26-102 (ZC-24-126): A 34-acre facility on Wilmington-Peotone Road in Florence Township.

• ORD 26-103 (ZC-25-041) & ORD 26-105 (ZC-25-043): Facilities on County Line Road in Troy Township.