LaSalle County panel pauses zoning changes pending state guidance on energy bills; flags data center water and grid impacts

LaSalle Countys Land Use Committee on Jan. 7 agreed to delay local zoning revisions until sample ordinances and training become available from the Illinois Association of County Board Members (IACBM) after the state signs related energy legislation, while flagging water and electric-grid impacts tied to data centers.

Chair Doug Stockley said he spoke with Kelly Murray of the IACBM, who told him the association is finalizing sample ordinances for wind, solar and energy-storage systems (distinct models for zoned and unzoned counties) and will provide both face-to-face and online training once the governor signs the bill. "They are meeting today with Farm Bureau," Stockley said, describing the timetable for the model ordinances and training.

Committee members discussed how the legislation renames and broadens "energy storage systems" beyond batteries and treats such systems as accessories that can be included in project permits instead of requiring separate special-use approvals. Stockley also told the committee that the law may allow zoned counties to require fire-suppression provisions in their local ordinances, which members said could have fee and implementation implications.

The discussion shifted to data centers, where Vicky and other staff highlighted potential local water-supply constraints and said the county has multiyear reports on water volumes covering the Illinois River Valley that they would circulate. "We had to move because we didn't have enough water. Our well kept running dry," Vicky recounted as an example of existing local water vulnerabilities.

Committee members also cited a recent note from Sue Resin reporting that Illinois may need up to 5 gigawatts of additional capacity to meet projected demand, a figure they said underscores the need to evaluate grid impacts. Members asked staff to bring technical resources and expert briefings (including a forthcoming Extension-hosted online event) to the committee before adopting ordinance language.

The committee took no formal ordinance action and will wait for the IACBM sample ordinances and additional expert input before proceeding.

Next steps: staff will circulate the water-use reports and identify expert sessions and documentation to inform future zoning decisions.