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Will County Board approves multiple solar project extensions and permits; applicant highlights $200,000 in local benefits
Summary
On March 19 the Will County Board approved several zoning extensions and special‑use permits for commercial solar projects and allowed the community solar applicant to address questions. The applicant said the project would net roughly $20,000–$25,000/year in property taxes for local taxing districts and pledged $200,000 for local community benefits; board members discussed labor agreements, storm resilience and state changes to project labor rules.
The Will County Board on March 19 voted to approve a series of land‑use motions related to commercial and community solar projects, including extensions of existing zoning approvals and new special‑use permits, after discussion about local benefits, labor, and storm resilience.
Public comment and applicant presentation: Chad Chabazi, representing BAP Power, addressed the board during public comment about a community solar project at 5949 West Eagle Lake Road. He said the parcel has been in the same family for decades and that the company has developed about 500 projects across 14 states. Chabazi told the board the project is approximately a 5‑megawatt system and that planning staff had recommended approval. He said the applicant committed "$200,000 to be set aside for local community organizations" and estimated property tax revenue of "$20 to $25,000 per year" that would flow to school districts, the fire district and other local taxing bodies. He also described the project’s subscriber benefits as "10 to 20% bill credit savings" for customers who sign up.
Labor and state law: Board members asked whether local union labor would be used on construction. Members and the applicant cited a recent state law change taking effect after June 1 that requires a tripartite project labor agreement for projects over 3 megawatts seeking Illinois renewable energy program contracts (Illinois Shines/community solar). The applicant said most subcontractors on these projects are based in Northern Illinois and that they expect to use union labor when required. One developer representative said these projects typically provide six to nine months of construction work on a site of roughly 40 acres.
Storm concerns and resilience: Members raised concerns about tornado vulnerability after accounts of tornado damage in other counties. Member Freeman said she observed solar arrays near a tornado site and that nearby houses sustained worse damage than panels on the ground; another member said he would supply photos of a site that was destroyed.
Votes at a glance: The board recorded a series of roll calls and voice votes on the land‑use items. Key recorded outcomes in the transcript include:
- Res. 26‑062 (Land resource management plan update): staff requested removal from the agenda and the board postponed the item until May (motion carried; roll call recorded as 19 in the affirmative in the transcript at one point, later reports show 20 — see audit note).
- OD26‑063 / ZC25112 (Special use permit for a commercial solar energy facility at 5949 W. Eagle Lake Road): motion to allow the applicant to speak passed and the land‑use approval subsequently passed (transcript records the motion to allow the applicant 19 in the affirmative; final approval recorded as carried).
- Res. 26‑064 (ZC22066 third extension — special use permit for solar farm, West Kennedy Road): motion carried (transcript shows 18 in the affirmative; one member abstained for conflict on a separate item and others voted yes).
- Res. 26‑065 (ZC23027 second extension for construction sales and services): motion carried (vote recorded as carried; individual tally not specified in the transcript excerpt).
- Res. 26‑066 through Res. 26‑070 (additional first/second/third extensions and special‑use permits for commercial solar projects across multiple townships): motions carried on voice or roll calls as recorded by the clerk; several were approved unanimously by the land‑use committee and then carried by the full board.
The transcript contains some inconsistent roll‑call tallies for particular motions (for example, Res. 26‑062 is reported at different points as 19 and 20 in the affirmative). Where exact individual votes were not read into the record, tallies are recorded as "not specified" in the board minutes packet. (See Audit for details on inconsistencies.)
What’s next: Several members requested that staff provide additional details: exact bench costs and ADA compliance for arts projects funded through Route 66 grants, a breakdown of local labor participation, and a briefing on the new state requirements for labor agreements that will apply to projects receiving Illinois renewable energy contract support after June 1. The board asked staff to circulate the applicant materials and state guidance to members.
