[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6146250,"mediaKeyId","5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f","parentId",5527463,"title","Commissioners discuss union request for local-hire language in solar permits and note Illinois sales-tax change for leased solar","audioSeconds",372,"startMs",1373000,"endMs",1745000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f&start=1373&end=1745","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f/thumbnail_1373000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146250/Edgar-County/Illinois/Commissioners-discuss-union-request-for-local-hire-language-in-solar-permits-and-note-Illinois-sales-tax-change-for-leased-solar","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146250-476db7f44f396e766ed959b99bcb1d00/orig.mp4?Expires=1773643034&Signature=Mxi7eJliXTXKz2fn7XTQ2aAns6lNuhZs4AchD7jZSTnQHEaOsINUUx8fvWpdgINaVeZbV35OQtd3fNfezbsabo8vAhGpxdi-Q2vjKCp-zrmWbmfJzDCdlmbV8g-vvq4bo7qyV8TAJ4P~8xVaNEmZM2wfI0eXAPf-tXQE5BpxUlthSYtNhHa8WVcermb0-Lau6v5Br9qIIbq33i2rZDWRDIO8~apYnMnzw0nfipbpxUTuXLbM8ZgA4Czieb7rJXc-42jrtec0ynrglCKF92z5XRZFcrNo~AgWTP8rXAZBvCqAVxAt0dXudgTlICLf0zwGuRDYxA~Ao7oX1yezWsXP8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Edgar County, IL","date","2025-08-04T17:28:26Z","article","A union representative emailed county officials asking the county to add language to building permits for large solar projects requiring project owners and their contractors to make \"good faith efforts to hire local residents\" and to use union labor and apprentices where available. Commissioners agreed to forward the request to staff for review before taking policy steps.
The request matters to the county because local-hire or labor-language in permitting could affect how projects are built, who gets construction jobs, and whether developers decide to build in the county.
A copy of the suggested permit language presented to the board said, in part, that \"Owner shall make or cause to be made good faith effort to hire local residents for local labor\" and that owners and contractors \"shall use only union labor in completing the project\" and make a \"good faith effort to work with\" state-approved apprenticeship programs.
The board did not adopt the language. A county commissioner asked whether staff should solicit Andy's legal and permitting opinion and the board agreed to forward the email to staff for review before deciding whether any permit condition is appropriate. A commissioner noted the risk of making requirements that could drive projects away: \"We don't wanna do what Illinois has done and chase away growth because we've got so many layers of stuff on it,\" he said.
Separately, commissioners discussed an Illinois change reported in local news: Illinois House Bill 4951, enacted earlier this year, makes leased residential solar systems subject to sales tax starting Feb. 1, 2025. A commissioner said the county's property-assessment base would not be directly affected because the tax applies to leases rather than property assessments, but he noted the state-level tax could have indirect effects on state-collected revenues that determine some local distributions.
No permit changes or formal policy actions were taken; staff were asked to review the union language and provide legal and administrative guidance on whether permit conditions could be imposed and how that would interact with state or federal rules or incentives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday July 21 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A union requested that the county consider permit language requiring good-faith efforts to hire local union labor and apprentices for large solar projects; commissioners said they would refer the request to staff for legal and administrative review and also discussed a separate Illinois law subjecting leased solar systems to sales tax.","taxTitle","Edgar County, Illinois","taxId",67050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146254,"Commissioners briefed on courthouse roof leaks, masonry and lighting issues; staff to inspect and hire contractors as needed",78,607000,685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f&start=607&end=685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f/thumbnail_607000.jpg","/articles/6146254/Edgar-County/Illinois/Commissioners-briefed-on-courthouse-roof-leaks-masonry-and-lighting-issues-staff-to-inspect-and-hire-contractors-as-needed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146254-eda88bcd5eac30ef43566f47a858de10/orig.mp4?Expires=1773643034&Signature=OAtB15Chn-c1WT~uTXUDvcebZy64Xau3qhiUvxZlV5Z~aPW~wi-tLmdeNlvHED4PP1fzmUiU1cSa67men0TqoMad2BdlFAqEZsgxE6sRoEc99AmkfO5kzRQZC7C7zlbjdxSmYfvVnuaTwHdyqXHGnWR4oi5Jg1dYJ4ZagF6jhePtTkzUQwvfr0YWFFwwoyHMAwxCPGKYJAqKQqfv4e0WG0Rqb-N5mjMfFtpdmG6SU-1TRIDLuV7VSga3KFwEoCixTmN3hYTWA1e1GkI9KCsQr9pNiE6RlAqxEwcs-3-atqBSTmx0MV3eoKTeyGkSxjYhMz0im6hcvuICQY1tnkiDVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County facilities staff told commissioners they have found a leaking roof at the southwest portico of the courthouse that has caused some ceiling damage and will require further inspection and repairs. Commissioners also discussed masonry work around the courthouse, electrical problems affecting some exterior lights, and landscaping that contractors have delayed because of weather.
The discussion matters because leaks and damaged ceilings can present safety and ongoing maintenance costs for a public building frequented by county residents and employees.
A facilities staff member reported, \"That 1 on the Southwest Corner, it's leaking... It's damaged a little bit of the ceiling.\" He said he planned to inspect the area with John, who will likely need to remove some ceiling panels to assess the damage and determine the required repairs.
Staff described other issues: masonry and blockwork completed in some areas, a lower west portico that was holding \"like 6 inches of water,\" and several exterior lights wired in series where a single connection problem is causing multiple lights to fail. Staff recommended contacting Bennett or another electrician to inspect the series circuit rather than assuming the fixtures themselves are defective.
On landscaping, staff said contractors have not yet completed plantings because of hot weather and that watering and a contractor guarantee for one year are considerations to ensure plant survival. The board discussed scheduling planting for the fall or contracting with landscapers who provide watering services.
No formal motions or votes were taken; staff were asked to continue inspections and to coordinate with specific contractors (John, Jason, Bennett) and to return with repair recommendations and cost estimates.
Board members asked staff to monitor the roof repairs and ceiling work for safety and to prioritize those fixes as needed.","County staff reported a leaking portico at the courthouse that has damaged ceiling material, masonry and paving concerns around the courthouse, lighting failures in series and landscaping delays; staff will inspect and coordinate repairs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146259,"County eyes moving antennas, lists radio-tower property for $75,000 to improve southern coverage",101,1024000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f&start=1024&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6146259/Edgar-County/Illinois/County-eyes-moving-antennas-lists-radio-tower-property-for-75000-to-improve-southern-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146259-515e55a1976521885cc0dd06571b857c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773643034&Signature=eJD60MbhGH-G7zwgmryfZLbkcHqDulBxY-782L3bU~L3QNuOLlKCTfa2qkfyM82htBcAz3dcv0AMLohWvOOObwprYVsTm3zDNxEfescj0mh8EO3402920zTv1JwsFPWhpdNTzjrqhTbkfOUU6-l2fsI2E4K59Xg6XNCMjXAIDVu2WtKn0KaoOeKOHwDFXVrpOEnJyPGoUdycbesQ8fbFV6cqP8F009QXsGGtJCmsSRKs9zuDX3W1Z4ukrsAZDrNMOS~hyMLspTiOtyWrx7hMCLxsnYQBwsSs~tueJi69~72PVagPbetpRWwtE71vEtOUMoGLitlSrMNUDS8Q3o7KZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told commissioners they have applied to move several county radio antennas to taller towers near Preston Road to improve radio coverage in the southern part of the county and that the county may sell or rent its existing radio-tower property for $75,000.
The change matters for public safety communications: staff said moving antennas to taller towers should improve reception and provide redundancy for 911 and sheriff radio traffic in areas that have had coverage problems.
Augie said the county could move \"the antennas up a 100 something, roughly a 100 feet\" and that the new site on Preston Road would host antennas at about 450 feet while nearby towers are \"300 some feet.\" He said the county has land tied to an existing tower and is marketing that parcel: \"Yes. And we got 5 acreage to ground with it too... 75,000,\" Augie said.
Augie said the county had placed antennas at a different location in the past and that emergency responder agencies at the time reported few issues. After some disputes with the prior tower owner, county antennas were relocated to the radio station tower, a move staff and the sheriff said had created coverage gaps in the southern county.
Board members discussed potential uses for the listed property if the sale proceeds, with Augie saying, \"We could rent it. We could sell it. You know, whatever.\" He also said the county hopes the Preston Road location will resolve coverage issues and that the current tower could serve as a backup if needed.
No formal sale was completed during the meeting; staff reported the county had priced the parcel at $75,000 and confirmed the site includes about five acres. The board scheduled no vote; staff said they will pursue the antenna relocation approvals and report back when site negotiations or leases are advanced.
If the antenna move and any property sale proceed, county staff said the change would be subject to any approvals required by the tower owners and to standard lease or sale steps. The board did not set a timetable for final action.","Commissioners discussed relocating 911 and sheriff antennas to taller towers near Preston Road, and staff said the county has listed a radio-tower parcel for $75,000 with five acres of land.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146264,"County staff says $500,000 tax-collection discrepancy resolved; treasurer to run tax bills",0,2078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f&start=2078&end=2078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527463-a6807b18cfd605070b0d5ff19b0bb84f/thumbnail_2078000.jpg","/articles/6146264/Edgar-County/Illinois/County-staff-says-500000-tax-collection-discrepancy-resolved-treasurer-to-run-tax-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146264-93ae64667c4af97a6a7fb3e058333ade/orig.mp4?Expires=1773643034&Signature=QCFwZ2voiqj4twUBVUuW8eHd4PcLlq0PwRvbW0kGibHttdlHm14iNT7C4AYKVjEm~LWET54PEhamUDa7QIT3Z2imCsjRFI8-JIq9iqeif9o9pfSrMmGQUH5SZ3H0vN-9YI2wN54KYze9jJy5fFGcWgxnvjv1kudMXwmiW3APFaofgvWYqgv5yGQtBQJh1mAvSD9ATc4atTuKCAwXKudgnulBL7Xj5AccnuqjLArpAI7V8kDTsXy~QyPCOc~giHmce-PlXSyAooRdGoigm8cqOyrfOVfQtlk3kVMC9CMU7AsFmmKvxVUJhT3vA-88aboVQFDOP2MqikWgWavhusuW~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a county commissioners meeting, staff said they resolved a tax-collection reporting discrepancy that will produce roughly $500,000 in abatements and that the treasurer's office has received documentation to run tax bills.
The issue matters because abatements affect how and when school districts and other taxing units receive money; county staff said the process routes the abated funds through the state and to the State Board of Education before school aid is adjusted.
County staff member Augie said, \"I just a month ago, I sent in the last 2 years' worth of that, which will be shy of 500,000.\" He told the board he had rolled the levy extension paperwork to the treasurer's office so the treasurer, Don, could prepare the tax bills and calculate abatements. \"Don has everything, and he's getting ready to run the tax bills,\" Augie said.
Augie told the board a common reporting form that would have helped flag the discrepancy \"is not required by law\" and is only a recommended reporting practice, meaning some local software packages do not generate it automatically. He said he and the treasurer will continue to hand-enter the numbers where needed: \"A lot of them just handwrite the numbers,\" he said.
A county board member summarized the way abated taxes are processed: \"The Department of Revenue sends it to the State Board of Education and then the education, however they do it through their state aid or...\" The board member noted that while school districts eventually receive their funds, other local units such as the county and some fire districts may not recover the same amounts.
The board did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting; staff described steps already taken and next administrative actions. Direction given: the treasurer's office will finalize and print tax bills and calculate abatements; staff will continue to provide documentation to the Department of Revenue.
Officials flagged that the discrepancy arose from a table error on the bond-disclosure-type report rather than missing payments. Augie described it as an error in the table lines and said the county's records show payments were made and posted.
Board members expressed appreciation for the staff work resolving the issue and asked that future reports include clearer, identifiable documentation to avoid similar confusion.
Looking ahead, staff said they will monitor the timing and flow of the abatement payments through state channels but did not provide a schedule for when local units will see adjustments in their aid or revenue distributions.","County staff told commissioners a reporting error that produced roughly $500,000 in abated taxes has been corrected, documentation was submitted to the Department of Revenue and the treasurer's office will finalize tax bills.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners discuss union request for local-hire language in solar permits and note Illinois sales-tax change for leased solar

Commissioners briefed on courthouse roof leaks, masonry and lighting issues; staff to inspect and hire contractors as needed

County eyes moving antennas, lists radio-tower property for $75,000 to improve southern coverage

County staff says $500,000 tax-collection discrepancy resolved; treasurer to run tax bills