Staff briefs commission on Illinois energy omnibus bill; fee caps and energy-storage rules could limit county revenues

Zoning Administrator (Speaker 2) briefed the commission on a recently passed Illinois omnibus energy bill (referenced in the transcript as a Public Act) and distributed a marked draft showing additions and deletions. Staff highlighted two local implications: statutory caps on building-permit and hearing fees for large energy projects that will reduce counties' ability to recoup administrative costs, and new standards for "energy storage," a broader term the bill uses instead of "battery energy storage."

"Our county, Lee County, is currently under moratorium for stand alone battery storage," the zoning administrator said, and added that the county has allowed storage when accessory to a wind or solar project. Staff said the statute goes into effect June 1 and that Lee County will have 120 days from that date to adopt implementing language. Staff plans to start from templates developed by the Illinois Association for County Board Members and the firm Heil Royster, then tailor them to local needs.

Commissioners expressed concern about reduced fee revenue. Staff explained statutory constraints on hearing and permit fees and said the county will explore what legal leeway exists while noting the statute also requires applicants to pay amounts that go beyond initial deposits when costs exceed them. Staff indicated additional hearings will be scheduled so the county can adopt local implementing rules before the state deadline.