Grundy County panel advances resolutions to restore local solar authority and oppose state "Build Act"

The Grundy County Law and Justice Committee on Tuesday voted to forward two resolutions to the full county board: one backing SB3450, described in committee materials as a measure to restore local authority over solar energy siting, and a second opposing the state-level "Build Act." The motions to move both documents to the county board passed without recorded roll-call votes.

The resolutions were introduced by Laura, who told the committee she reviewed the summary packet and urged board members to act. "It strips away our ability to determine how many residents can be on any 1 plot of land," Laura said of the Build Act, adding that the proposal would allow conversions of typical residential lots into up to eight-unit apartment buildings and would not address parking or minimum square footage. She also said some fire-safety requirements could be affected and that the change would apply statewide.

Russ, the county state's attorney, said he "wholeheartedly supported" the county resolution. He argued the bill would impose pressures and higher density from Cook County and adjacent border counties on the rest of Illinois, calling that "incredibly unfair and shortsighted." The committee's chair noted the resolutions would be largely ceremonial because state law supersedes county zoning, and that the state's attorney had reviewed the language prior to the committee vote.

Committee members moved both items separately. James Case moved to forward the resolution supporting SB3450 (restoring local authority over solar siting) to the full county board; that motion carried. Separately, Joe Pulizzi moved, and Josh Harris seconded, a motion to forward the resolution opposing the Build Act; that motion also carried.

Aside from the resolutions, the committee handled routine business. Members approved a reappointment of Gerald Johnson to the Seneca Fire Department (motion carried), approved payment of EMA claims, coroner's claims and other departmental claims, and heard an emergency management report. Joe Pulizzi, reporting for emergency management, said the county submitted a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan to FEMA, adjusted some figures to conform with FEMA's system, and that the county's emergency management specialist had resigned; the county had advertised the position and had 16 applicants so far. Pulizzi also noted volunteer-unit activities in advance of Memorial Day parades in Manuka and Morris.

Votes at a glance: committee members approved multiple routine claims and payments (EMA claims; coroner's claims; circuit clerk, state's attorney, public defender, administrative maintenance and sheriff claims), carried a reappointment for Gerald Johnson to the Seneca Fire Department, and approved motions to forward the two resolutions (supporting SB3450 and opposing the Build Act) to the full county board. The meeting adjourned with no executive session scheduled.

The resolutions will next appear on the full Grundy County board agenda for formal consideration; committee members did not change the text or attach conditions before forwarding the items.