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Iroquois County hearing on Ranger Power project draws sharp local debate over farmland, runoff and jobs
Summary
At an Iroquois County Planning Commission hearing on Jan. 6, 2026, developer representatives said they seek a conditional use permit for a 4,468.2‑acre parcel with roughly 3,000 acres to be developed; residents warned of runoff, soil and economic harms while supporters cited millions in tax revenue and construction jobs.
IROQUOIS COUNTY, Ill. — Developer representatives and county residents debated a proposed Ranger Power solar project at an Iroquois County Planning Commission hearing on Jan. 6, 2026, with questions focused on acreage, stormwater, fencing and local economic impacts.
Ashton Merbach, speaking for the project, said the permit request covers 4,468.2 total parcel acres and that the ‘‘end result of the project with all of our facilities, buffer, etcetera, will be cited on more of 3,000 of that acreage.’’ He told the commission the developers filed a transportation memorandum and access plan and said they will negotiate road‑use agreements with county or township road authorities to address any construction damage.
Merbach also addressed drainage and runoff: ‘‘We see no increase in runoff from our projects. We have a permanent vegetative cover under all of our solar panels,’’ he said, adding the groundcover is…
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