Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals Hearing

Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on October 2, 2026, concerning the proposed Four Creeks wind project. The board overruled an objection to testimony about economic impacts, finding it relevant to the general-welfare considerations, and heard testimony from economist Dr. Lumis. Using an IMPLAN model and Illinois’ statutory wind-project valuation method, he estimated 688 county job-years during construction, about 97 ongoing county jobs, and roughly $307 million in property-tax revenue over 40 years. His estimates included about $30.7 million for Peoria County and approximately $193 million for local school districts. The projections assumed a 663-MW AC capacity, annual inflation of about 2.3%, and unchanged local tax rates; the witness described those assumptions as conservative.

Cross-examination questioned the witness’s work for the wind industry, the project inputs and capacity used, and the interpretation of construction and ongoing employment estimates. The transcript ends with a recess, without a decision on the zoning application. No contract award, purchasing decision, budget allocation, or other procurement activity was identified.