Peoria County Board Meeting

Peoria County Board meeting, November 6, 2026: The Board considered Four Creeks Wind LLC’s special-use application for a commercial wind energy facility in parts of Brimfield, Millbrook, Princeville, and Jubilee Townships. The proposal allows up to 113 turbines, with a maximum height of 650 feet and nameplate capacity of 663 megawatts, across an approximately 27,113-acre project area; turbines and related facilities would occupy about 140 acres. After extensive public comment and debate, the Board approved the application with restrictions by a 12–5 vote, with one member absent. The Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended denial, while the Land Use Committee had recommended approval with restrictions.

Opponents raised concerns about impacts on nearby residents, property values, noise and shadow flicker, wildlife, aviation, roads, water, and application deficiencies. Supporters cited farm income, construction and operating jobs, energy supply, and projected tax revenue. The approved conditions include a 40-year permit term; required road-use agreements and FAA no-hazard determinations before building permits; sound and shadow-flicker monitoring and mitigation; well, emergency-response, and environmental provisions; and 100% financial assurance for decommissioning, subject to periodic review and inflation adjustments. The developer cited more than $300 million in property taxes over the project’s life and more than $7 million for schools in the first year. No procurement contract or county purchase was identified; the action was a land-use approval for a privately financed energy project.