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IL SB1457

IL SB1457
COUNTY WIND/SOLAR REGULATION


summary

Introduced
01/31/2025
In Committee
01/31/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county may not approve the siting of a commercial wind energy facility, a commercial solar energy facility, or both in an unincorporated area that is located within a 3-mile radius of a municipality, if: (1) the municipality has not approved the siting of the facility or facilities at that location; (2) the county board or the corporate authorities of the municipality have determined that any portion of the facility or facilities will be located on land with a Soil Productivity Index that is greater than or equal to 90; or (3) the county board or the corporate authorities of the municipality have determined that the owners or operators of the facility or facilities have failed to comply with one or more National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements for the site. Provides that the provisions apply regardless of whether the municipality has adopted zoning ordinances or is regulating wind farms and electric-generating wind devices under specified provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code. Requires each commercial solar energy facility to have the minimum number of fire hydrants required by ordinances governing the servicing fire department or fire protection district or, if there are no requirements by ordinances governing the servicing fire department or fire protection district, then the minimum number required by the county board. Allows a county to require a commercial solar energy facility to be sited at least 500 feet to the nearest point on the property line of the nonparticipating zoned residential. Effective immediately.

AI Summary

This bill amends the Illinois Counties Code to establish new regulations for commercial wind and solar energy facilities near municipalities. Specifically, a county cannot approve siting a wind or solar energy facility within a 3-mile radius of a municipality if: (1) the municipality has not approved the facility's location, (2) the facility would be located on land with a Soil Productivity Index of 90 or higher, or (3) the facility's owners have failed to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. The bill requires commercial solar energy facilities to have a minimum number of fire hydrants as specified by the local fire department or county board, and allows counties to require these facilities to be set back at least 500 feet from residential property lines. The legislation aims to provide municipalities with more control over renewable energy project siting, protect agricultural land, and ensure environmental and safety compliance. The bill applies to new projects and includes provisions for setbacks, environmental assessments, drainage plans, and community benefits, while limiting counties' ability to impose overly restrictive regulations on wind and solar energy developments.

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Chapin Rose (on 08/14/2025)

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