(file) Panels seen at a Will County solar facility. (Gary Middendorf – gmiddendorf@shawmedia/Gary Middendorf)
Will County again will challenge a state law that takes away local control over solar projects, testing whether the mandate will apply when public safety is at issue.
The law, designed to accelerate development of alternative energy, all but ensures government approval for solar projects in rural areas.
But the County Board last week voted 15-6 against a proposed solar facility that would be built next to a Monee Township airport community used by amateur pilots.
The vote came as local authorities in Illinois continue to lose in court when they try to reject plans for solar facilities based on local concerns.
The McHenry County Board on Tuesday will vote whether to approve solar facilities it previously rejected after a court ordered the board to approve the projects.
The Will County Board is seen at a meeting of its Executive Committee on May 14, 2026. (Bob Okon)
The Will County Board was in the same predicament in April when it approved six solar facilities it previously rejected after a court ruled that state law mandated that the projects move forward.
The Monee Township solar plan adds a new twist to the conflict between local and state authorities because of the issue of public safety.
“I think it makes common sense that you would not put a solar farm next to an airport runway,” Chris Thomsen told the board.
Thomsen is manager of the airport in the Meadow Creek Airpark, a development of houses and two runways designed to attract pilots who want to live close to their planes.
The solar facility would replace farm fields and narrow the margin of error if a pilot needs to make a crash landing, Thomsen told the board.
Solar panels are seen under construction in a farm field in Bureau County in this file photo. (Scott Anderson)
“There’s no way you could land into a solar farm,” Thomsen said.
Even so, the Federal Aviation Administration has given its OK to the solar project.
Paul Brown, owner of Kachi Energy, which would build the solar facility, told the County Board that solar facilities already are located in airports.
“There is not one airport crash that has ever happened because of a solar farm,” Brown said.
Opponents argued that airports with solar power on site are larger airports used by professional pilots flying airplanes equipped with anti-glare protections not found in smaller planes flown by amateur pilots.
“What you have [at Meadow Creek] is amateur pilots teaching their kids how to fly,” resident Rick Rohe said.
Rick Rohe, who lives near the proposed solar facility in Monee Township, speaks to the Will County Board at its meeting on Thursday. July 16, 2026 (Bob Okon)
Such considerations are not allowed in the state legislation aimed at accelerating the development of solar power by removing local objections as potential roadblocks.
County officials said airports are not mentioned in the state legislation.
“I don’t think the legislature even gave any consideration to this,” said board Member Judy Ogalla, R-Monee.
The prospect of a location next to an airport “is not one of the factors listed in the state statute,” Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Meyers told the board. “I think board Member Ogalla is correct. They probably never considered this.”
“The FAA didn’t have an issue with this, and the legislature said we have to move solar forward,” said board Member Jacqueline Traynere, D-Bolingbrook, who voted for the Monee solar plan.
Will County Board Member Frankie Pretzel, R-New Lenox, is seen at a board meeting in May in this file photo on May 21, 2026 (Bob Okon)
A few board members, however, said it was important to vote against the solar facility to avoid liability if a plane crash does happen.
“This is a runway that they build homes around,” board Member Frankie Pretzel, R-New Lenox, said. “I just worry that an accident can happen because of this. If you’re the one who passed this, it can come back to you.”
Bob Okon covers local government for The Herald-News

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