(The Center Square) – Some Illinoisans are opposed to the use of farmland for the purpose of solar and wind projects.
Patricia Malcolm said a recent state law enacted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker took away the power of local government to say “no” to such projects.
“I think it is horrific. I think it’s communistic to take the ability of the local government, who knows what’s best for the community, to take their power away for whatever reason,” said Malcom. “For him to look good with the promise of green energy to the Biden administration. What my thoughts are on it is that he did it to make himself look good, and heck with everybody else that it affects.”
Malcolm started a petition urging legislators to support House Bill 4422, which is sponsored by state Rep. Jason Bunting, R-Dwight, and House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna.
The petition has about 200 signatures.
A 3,600-acre solar plant is expected to arrive in Custer Park, Illinois. Malcolm said Will County board members fear lawsuits from ACCIONA, the company that wants to build the solar plant.
In the 2022 election, Pritzker was asked if he would support legislation to create statewide controls over the siting of wind and solar projects.
“No, in fact I’ve specifically avoided that,” Pritzker said in 2022. “I don’t think that’s the way. We’ve got to have a continuous conversation, the one that we’ve been having for years now between the state and local governments and local control so that we decide together about siting.”
In June, the Will County Board turned down Soltage, the company that wanted to build the solar plant in Channahon. Now, the board stalls a vote for a large ACCIONA project planned for Custer Park.
Malcolm said the board fears ACCIONIA and Soltage will take legal action.
“I do think that this board, which is 11 Democrats, 11 Republicans, believe they don’t think that it’s the right thing for the community. I know at least half of them do not believe it [is the right thing for Custer Park], but there’s the other half, who are concerned about being sued by the ACCIONA company,” said Malcolm.
In 2023, Pritzker made remarks that contradicted remarks he made before the 2022 election, where he had ensured the Illinois Farm Bureau local governments would have control over the projects.
“[This bill] doesn’t allow a county or local government to hold hostage an opportunity for a local farmer, for example, to make a little extra money,” said Pritzker.
According to Malcolm, she had a conversation with a Will County Board member about “spending taxpayer money” defending the county from solar company suits.
“He [told me] he didn’t want to use taxpayer money on lawsuits,” said Malcolm. “I don’t really care if people like it or not [spending taxpayer money to defend the county against solar companies], I want them to get this fixed. We are talking 11,600 acres in a 25-mile radius that could be potentially all solar projects. That’s a lot of acres.”
