10/7/26 - Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals Hearing

The October 7, 2026, Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals hearing continued its review of a proposed Four Creeks wind energy project. Cross-examination of an acoustics expert focused on modeled turbine noise, low-frequency sound thresholds, ISO/ANSI modeling methods, background-noise data, and whether an ambient-noise study had been conducted. The expert discussed applicable Illinois Pollution Control Board noise provisions and the limits of the studies cited; no board decision or vote appears in this excerpt.

The owner of Tri County Airport testified that the proposed project—described in testimony as 113 turbines, each about 657 feet tall, across a 27,000-acre footprint—could constrain flight training and aerial-application activity and affect airport operations. He also raised concerns about turbulence, visibility, and aircraft/radar issues; these were presented as his views and were challenged during cross-examination. The hearing included disputes over expert foundations and public-comment procedures. No contract award, purchase, budget allocation, or other procurement activity was identified.