County Rep Cites Solar Lawsuits, Grant Shortfalls as Key Issues Facing Will County

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Will County Board member Sherry Newquist reported that the county is navigating lawsuits related to solar farm approvals and anticipating budget challenges from the loss of federal grant money.

Key Points:

• Newquist stated the county is involved in litigation over solar farm siting, which has created uncertainty for board members on how to vote on future proposals.

• As chair of the Will County Finance Committee, she warned that the upcoming budget will be impacted by a “significant loss” of federal grant funding, particularly affecting the health department.

GREEN GARDEN – Will County is grappling with legal challenges over solar farm development and faces tough budget decisions due to the loss of federal grant money, County Board member Sherry Newquist told the Green Garden Township Board on Monday.

Newquist, who represents Green Garden Township, said the county is currently involved in a “couple of lawsuits” concerning solar farms. While unable to discuss specifics of the pending litigation, she noted it has created a non-partisan dilemma for the entire board.

“The state mandates that we approve if the solar farms meet the requirements of the state,” Newquist explained. “But there is a school of thought that we should be allowed to evaluate, because otherwise what’s the point? Why are we even voting on them if what we’re doing doesn’t matter?”

She said board members are “anxiously awaiting the outcome” of the lawsuits for guidance on future votes.

In her role as chair of the Will County Finance Committee, Newquist also alerted the township to upcoming fiscal challenges.

“What might… probably is going to affect everybody is budgeting is coming up, but we’re faced with a significant loss of federal grant money this go-round,” she said.

She noted that while she has not seen the post-budget numbers yet, a major issue for the county will be determining “how do we keep providing services, particularly with the health department… with the loss of significant loss [of funding].”