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County board hears public frustration over state-driven solar approvals, considers advocacy steps

Iroquois County Board — Committee Meeting · January 8, 2026

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Summary

Board members and residents expressed frustration that state rules limit local control over solar siting; one solar application was advanced to a ZBA public hearing while another failed to move forward, and members discussed forming a local advocacy group and contacting state and federal officials.

Members of the county board and several speakers described intense public concern about solar and other renewable-energy projects and what they said are state mandates that limit local discretion. A committee member reported that a US Solar "Papanal" application was deemed complete and moved to a public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), while another US Solar application ("Lota") failed to advance out of committee.

Speakers described strong emotion in public meetings and a turnout of roughly 15–20 people who felt the committee and board were "selling them out," and several members urged the public to take concerns to state legislators. One board member asked whether the county could seek federal assistance or a coordinated legislative effort to restore local control. "I think if you've got the time, I will help you as if possible," one member said of potential follow-through.

Discussion ranged from farmland protection and drainage concerns to broader fears about data centers. A board member said simply, "Data center, not progress," during debate over land-use priorities. Several members urged removing emotion from procedure and following legal counsel's determinations about application completeness; staff reiterated that if counsel deems an application complete, the committee must forward it as a matter of process.

The committee did not reverse counsel’s determinations during the meeting. Instead, members discussed next steps, including forming a citizen-led group to pursue legislative outreach and possible contact with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and federal officials to raise local concerns.