​​Will County Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting May 12, 2026

The Will County Board Planning and Zoning Commission held a special meeting on May 12, 2026, focused on the proposed Lincoln Solar Energy LLC project, known as the Pride of the Prairie solar facility. The meeting involved detailed discussions and cross-examinations regarding the project's special use permit application, including site plans, wetland delineations, environmental impacts, and compliance with county and state regulations. Key procurement-related topics included the project's scale (approximately 600 megawatts capacity), lease agreements with landowners, and infrastructure considerations such as fire lanes and road use agreements. The commission considered amendments to permit conditions, including approval of an above-ground cabling system and gravel fire lanes, consistent with prior county board approvals. A motion to amend conditions three, five, and six was passed by a narrow vote. Public comments reflected concerns about environmental impacts, transparency, and local control, as well as support for clean energy development. The meeting concluded with a recommendation vote on the special use permit, which was not explicitly detailed in the transcript but involved significant debate over application completeness and environmental safeguards.