[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6173841,"mediaKeyId","5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a","parentId",5377883,"title","Residents and county officials press for safety fixes after fatal crash at Spring Creek and Shaw Road","audioSeconds",2426,"startMs",403000,"endMs",2829000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a&start=403&end=2829","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a/thumbnail_403000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173841/Boone-County/Illinois/Residents-and-county-officials-press-for-safety-fixes-after-fatal-crash-at-Spring-Creek-and-Shaw-Road","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173841-fd3b0f8b6330566a8e3f45959409f137/orig.mp4?Expires=1773563175&Signature=fvaZ8VFAPrI0fyAkTpwmVSoyaiqmQjF4ntlRKpz5tFMhmbieCdH-RywrxePkmVTU68wL~fOC~OC5LB7mDXbfBpbWkRSUYYGoa8lp7j2wWVJq4wDEkSvFbqwQ5q8Y8nxtadgFyX-59V6Y9tObGmhM05120BvTN129ZgEr8ALaGe2KuiK8JgmJY6V-NmAROv4MrEGekBLDImAT6HD-joXIgSYOcKMHaRvAJ1eCeyR~hr9N-MpAn5lhsa8lXpKkHibhBPjRhe~t-PsnL4BnbPwFRURPvpMKH5P~0z0u86EMY57WlHQekk8~f6QrRT16kY0MQ~NH3Vs~m529X2DZ6PzDeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-11T14:39:45Z","article","A Boone County resident told the County Board on July 10 that a recent fatal crash at the intersection of Spring Creek and Shaw Road requires immediate action. “We cannot wait for another family to suffer such an unimaginable loss before safety is our number 1 priority,” Katie Bryant said during public comment, asking the board to install a four-way stop and other measures.

County Engineer Justin Cron and the Boone County Sheriff told the committee the county is studying multiple countermeasures and has federal and other grant funding in development for equipment and safety planning.

Why it matters: residents identified repeated near-misses and a recent death at Spring Creek and Shaw as evidence that existing traffic controls are insufficient for current traffic volumes. County staff and law enforcement said they are using crash data and pilot treatments to try to reduce serious injuries and fatalities.

Cron, who said he “provides technical support to all the townships,” described the county’s approach to identifying high-crash locations. He explained the county uses a functional classification—interstates and arterials for mobility, collectors and local roads for access—and that changing control at one point can shift traffic and crash risk elsewhere. Cron said staff have produced intersection “heat maps” from sheriff’s crash reports and are pursuing several pilot countermeasures, including recessed pavement markings (a recessed pattern similar to a rumble strip), additional stop bars and flashing beacons, and a federally funded radar speed-sign program that logs speeds and traffic volumes.

The sheriff described crash patterns the office records and the challenges deputies see in the field. He told the committee a recent serious crash victim was still hospitalized and noted repeated examples where drivers failed to stop or were distracted. “This young lady just got released from the hospital. She’s still on a feeding tube and still in a wheelchair,” he said, describing one long-term case.

What officials said they will try: Cron said the county is running tests of recessed pavement markings at Orth and Caledonia and plans another test at Squaw Prairie and Poplar Grove; he described a tentative design reduction for three proposed roundabouts on Route 76 to a single larger roundabout to reduce conflict points; and he said the county is pursuing federal grants for radar speed signs and an SS4A safety action plan that could unlock further federal funds for countermeasures. The sheriff said deputies and the county’s traffic-reconstruction team will keep enforcement and crash investigation as part of the response.

Community concerns and limits: residents and some board members warned that enforcement and technical fixes only go so far when drivers are distracted or disregard signs. Cron emphasized that lowering speed limits can have unintended consequences if it pushes traffic onto other lower-class roads; he reiterated that design changes should be placed after network-level evaluation. Several members asked for a standing staff-level committee to review crash data and recommended countermeasures quarterly and report back to the board; staff supported a staff-level working group rather than a board-level committee.

Next steps: the highway department will continue pilot testing recessed pavement markings, schedule radar-sign deployments as grants allow, and work with the sheriff’s office on data collection and enforcement priorities. The county will also create a public feedback mechanism to collect road-safety reports.

Ending: Residents asked the county to prioritize physical changes at high-risk intersections while balancing network effects. County staff said they will report test results and grant progress back to the board before larger permanent changes are adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boone County COTW-Administration 7/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Boone County resident told the County Board on July 10 that a recent fatal crash at the intersection of Spring Creek and Shaw Road requires immediate action.","taxTitle","Boone County, Illinois","taxId",57613,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6173828,"Board approves special-use permit for existing horse‑boarding operation after new owner commits to continue service",190,11066000,11256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a&start=11066&end=11256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a/thumbnail_11066000.jpg","/articles/6173828/Boone-County/Illinois/Board-approves-special-use-permit-for-existing-horseboarding-operation-after-new-owner-commits-to-continue-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173828-bbde8c13c3460922f1c16bdfb8045286/orig.mp4?Expires=1773563175&Signature=Cri4S6o918bPyi3yCyTxtJww9M54khWBGyjxkD0bNZ-tiBcIpvSb6bjMOZNzXT-ld1qraZGvM9C-oArRym-mYbkTY9n7LjAEHAuguOo7uz3TRrhN1qqMOePXSzCKSp1L2WI9fm6thmOWRF9PxuYJtYfIHOAP1DvByCIIKTMihTLrpQ93geM62cT9tCcuLyloRZkv~6hbuC1ec25LWoBzwOVciGMUD0yW~nVbVm7~w-Fx~ffWN4xYcAC7ASAL3sgnED7ggm~HquXrEc9u7sCibzbiBId8H~AH9sj~o5dh4Q-A26eb4Ape6EasqApITjInyRJMGRnSrtiiiLI1OnRlzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County’s administration committee on July 10 approved a special‑use permit that legalizes a long‑established commercial stable on property at 18777 Harnish Road.

Why it matters: the applicant told the committee the horse‑boarding operation has run for more than two decades; staff noted the business and property have an established history and the zoning board recommended approval. The special‑use permit will enable the current owner’s sale of the property and allow the buyer to continue the boarding business.

Applicant statements: owner August Magyars said the site has hosted boarding for about 21 years and that he was not previously aware the operation lacked a formal special‑use permit; he said neighbors have a positive relationship. “We’ve been boarding horses for about 21 years there,” Magyars told the committee.

Buyer and continuity: the new owner, Patrick Fox, told the committee he and his wife plan to move to the property and continue boarding operations; Fox described the purchase as a “dream come true” and said he has owned horses for 25 years.

Staff and board review: staff reported the zoning board found the lot‑of‑record exchange and the special‑use request met the zoning code’s requirements and recommended approval with conditions; the committee approved the special use by voice vote.

Ending: Committee members praised the owner’s record and the buy‑in from neighbors; the permit allows the buyer to continue the established boarding business subject to normal permitting for septic, access and building permits.","A long‑running horse‑boarding operation at 18777 Harnish Road was authorized by special use after the current operator said the business has operated for 21 years and the buyer, Patrick Fox, told the committee he plans to continue the boarding operation and move onto the property.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6173832,"County approves McKinley project electrical upgrade, septic replacement and soil stabilization change orders",409,5879000,6288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a&start=5879&end=6288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a/thumbnail_5879000.jpg","/articles/6173832/Boone-County/Illinois/County-approves-McKinley-project-electrical-upgrade-septic-replacement-and-soil-stabilization-change-orders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173832-296a64c4082fb03636115dab9ea67620/orig.mp4?Expires=1773563175&Signature=Lk9vgPv7FlgBtdoHBAenJ6071Tjomw-IS46NrnAXNtjPt3Opc0PYhw~y7Pj-Ku4VZtdixQA8xwUW52gFR3hV~NbwXOk2PPZ3xqRCmytmhpvkuf-Fw3MM3kiyfJfomdEEpwvJJZ6CgXrnmwWX9u9MHDoAQkJhR9WpwQ9JXWQUlfy8d3FwcSr4MZYl7SudjNnGzj3sje8ntB0SpseLKeKpD36zs6aQAfld5VZhAF~eXJAAVdInHeuvX~AxBX7mww5WKdWvntJ3-wTDo4DlG5gnDexYUAhXWbjDRuhkFGZ4m62UJAFAhrt~uDjBkwdnJXGmIY3ZjsNCxhTpBparNX1zAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boone County administration committee on July 10 approved three construction change orders for the McKinley Avenue project: an electrical service relocation and panel upgrade, replacement of a failing septic tank, and soil stabilization work to protect the existing courthouse foundation.

Why it matters: the McKinley project is part of the county’s broader capital program for courthouse and related campus work; these changes reflect site conditions discovered during excavation and are intended to avoid costly delays and protect existing buildings.

What the committee approved

- Electrical service upgrade (Change Order #12): County staff explained the morgue and coroner facilities share a 200‑amp service (100‑amp each), which is insufficient for the morgue’s equipment. Randy Darnell of CCS told the committee the design must be adjusted and the incoming service location moved; the change order is a not‑to‑exceed amount and staff expects some savings on final pricing. The committee approved the change order by voice vote.

- Septic tank replacement (Proposal: Spain Construction, $10,815): Staff said three septic tanks serve the campus; one tank under the planned garage footprint was aging and in uncertain condition and its leach field extended eastward. Changing the garage location would have required additional moves and costs; staff recommended replacing the single tank and relocating it away from the new garage footprint. The committee approved the proposal.

- Soil stabilization (ECO 28.3, Schedul’d Construction, $23,989): During excavation for a new addition, contractors discovered the existing 1986 courthouse foundation tied in only about a foot below a key interface point; digging deeper created a soil-stability risk for the existing foundation. The approved stabilization work will protect the original courthouse foundation; staff reviewed alternatives (underpinning, sheet piling) and described the stabilization as the most practical solution.

Fiscal context: project managers said the county has spent roughly $4 million of an anticipated $22 million total program so far. A prior capital item (DVR camera project) was quoted at $281,000 and came in at $230,000, producing some savings the sheriff noted had allowed additional camera purchases.

Ending: County staff said the McKinley work will keep construction moving and protect existing facilities; staff will return with any necessary contract adjustments and final invoices as work completes.","Boone County administration approved an electrical service upgrade, a new septic tank and additional soil stabilization work at the McKinley Avenue construction site after staff reported site conflicts and underground utility uncertainties.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":78,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6173836,"Boone County panel rejects Belvedere Road solar special-use after contested public comment and developer presentation",10509,557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a&start=557&end=11066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377883-ca4f0d20c1db97bc667fd57788032a1a/thumbnail_557000.jpg","/articles/6173836/Boone-County/Illinois/Boone-County-panel-rejects-Belvedere-Road-solar-special-use-after-contested-public-comment-and-developer-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173836-688726f5b51e9f047a0123209cc9749b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773563175&Signature=U6yvxjfOIcd42FUGv1BzP-881TK07VsgBuKxadZRjusJeX6hpA3V60ZX8KaHeKRPRLhORWrKD~sAsqThgmsDOZg7gsaJBvVCly9kWMJh3ODyAdJnwZP18s4XcTtQmzZQ33~Pna4ibU11z8Cr~nGYBQoXs69inMZR0o3taE0u0Of9NoQStd6H-mgQVV8xh~9nlLVdLNS5p3WVY2SjJ9GCzm9agofmkitI9PooTw1-7NnFSp-E9guabfy21waWWLD82u2-InbYe5bvkB0Ay9iez5HOUIrxseVmfF9PlgpBgJ~CSEDbeWo07dZfwC7ZRVkl2p5atumKLVmeppEnGX7oOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Developers and their consultants presented plans for an 85‑acre, 25.2 megawatt ground-mounted solar facility east of Belvidere Road on July 10, but a vote of the county’s administration committee failed to approve the project’s special-use permit.

Why it matters: the project would convert roughly 85 acres of agricultural land to a utility-scale solar facility and is proposed on a property that partly borders Winnebago County. Developers said the project would generate an estimated $4.1 million in tax revenue over its operational life, create about 125 construction jobs and provide first-year local revenue of about $174,000, of which about $119,000 would go to the local school district.

The presentation: Ben Jacobi, an attorney for Belvedere Solar LLC, said the company — a Sunco subsidiary — designed the project to comply with Boone County’s solar ordinance and to provide mitigation measures. He said the parcel’s Land Evaluation score (NRI) is 80.3, below the county zoning threshold of 82 that signals higher-quality farmland. Jacobi told the board that Sunco would commit $100,000 to farmland preservation groups in Boone County conditioned on commercial operation, and that the company had signed the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AIMA), which “is nonnegotiable,” requiring a decommissioning bond.

Sam Dye of Sunco and Michael Krige, the project civil engineer from Kimley‑Horn, presented the site plan, which places arrays outside mapped FEMA flood zones, locates inverters and electrical equipment near the site interior, and adds vegetative buffers along nearby residences. Krige described an interconnection study process under PJM and noted the project would tie to a nearby 138 kV transmission line. Andrew Hartigan of Cohen Reznick presented a market analysis and a review of academic literature; his team found “no consistent negative impact” on nearby residential property values in the cases his firm studied.

Public concerns: two nearby residents, Terry Junenberg and Kirk Swanson, addressed the committee in public comment before the hearing, raising long-term visual impacts (“85 acres of plastic”), the panels’ lifespan and disposal costs, potential effects on property values, and concerns that many developers are not U.S.-based. During the committee discussion, several board members and residents said they were worried about loss of agricultural land, long-term decommissioning certainty, and the project’s scale. One board member asked why solar companies often select farmland rather than repurposing closed landfills or nonfarm parcels.

Zoning Board recommendation and committee vote: the zoning board (CBA) recommended approval with 19 conditions by a 4–1 vote; staff also recommended approval with conditions. The administration committee debated the item at length and then held a vote; a motion to approve the special use failed on a voice vote and the item will appear before the full board.

What was promised: developers said they will provide an agricultural-impact mitigation agreement, a decommissioning bond, vegetative screening, and a pollinator seed mix beneath panels. They also said the project is designed to avoid mapped flood hazard areas and that stormwater effects are expected to be small or neutral if pollinator/high‑rooting plantings are used.

Ending: The committee’s failure to approve the special use in committee does not end the project; the item will go to the full county board. Developers said they remain open to additional mitigation and design changes, and nearby residents asked the board and developers for stronger assurances about setbacks, screening and decommissioning bonds before final approval.","Developers for a 25‑megawatt solar project east of Belvidere Road presented technical, economic and decommissioning plans, and the Zoning Board recommended approval with conditions; the administration committee declined to approve the special-use permit after public opposition and board concern about scale and farmland preservation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents and county officials press for safety fixes after fatal crash at Spring Creek and Shaw Road

Board approves special-use permit for existing horse‑boarding operation after new owner commits to continue service

County approves McKinley project electrical upgrade, septic replacement and soil stabilization change orders

Boone County panel rejects Belvedere Road solar special-use after contested public comment and developer presentation