Solar Sprawl

A growing debate is underway in Will County over whether to postpone the construction of the 6,000‑acre Earth Rise solar project until several outstanding issues tied to the project’s special use permit are fully resolved.

Key concerns

• Incomplete special use permit: Opponents say the permit was approved despite missing information and incomplete responses to repeated questions. They argue the record doesn’t show the county adequately addressed their objections.

• Highway commissioner agreements: Several local Highway Commissioners report they’ve tried to negotiate mitigation agreements with the solar company but haven’t received a response for more than two months. The State’s Attorney points to a “good faith” clause that allows the company to prove outreach by producing registered‑mail receipts, but commissioners say negotiation has not actually occurred.

• Wetlands delineation: Wetlands must be clearly delineated and described in the permit. While some wetlands were listed, many were not; others were labelled only by current condition (“flooded farm wetlands”), which critics say fails to document plant communities, soils, and true wetland type. That raises the risk of serious environmental harm to sensitive wetlands if construction proceeds.

• Timing and accountability: County Land Use officials say outstanding questions will be answered before any construction permit is issued. Residents counter: how will the information be verified, who will be held accountable, and why allow a construction permit pathway before critical environmental work (including leaving fields fallow to let native species recover) is completed?

What proponents and the county say Supporters of the project emphasize clean energy and economic benefits, and county staff maintain that remaining issues will be addressed during the construction‑permit review. The State’s Attorney’s interpretation of the “good faith” outreach clause is also cited to justify procedural steps already taken.

Why some residents want a postponement Residents and local officials pressing for a delay want the special use permit and any related agreements fully completed and documented in the record before construction begins. They argue postponing issuance of a construction permit would allow proper wetland delineation, meaningful negotiations with Highway Commissioners, and time for ecological mitigation measures (such as fallow periods and restrictions on herbicide use) to be planned and enforced.

What you can do

• Stay informed: Request copies of the full permit record, wetlands delineations, and any correspondence with Highway Commissioners.

• Demand accountability: Ask the Land Use Department and State’s Attorney to publicly detail how outstanding items will be verified before any construction permit is granted.

Get involved: If you’re interested in joining the lawsuit or organizing locally, reach out to the contact coordinating plaintiffs and keep communications professional and fact‑focused.