# Zoning Board of Appeals 10/1/26 - Session 1 Recording

The Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on October 1, 2026, continued review of the Four Creeks wind project. The board overruled an objection to economist Dr. Lewis Lumis’s testimony, finding economic impacts relevant to the proceeding. Lumis described an IMPLAN-based analysis of local and statewide economic effects and property-tax revenue. He estimated 688 Peoria County construction job-years and 97 ongoing local jobs, and presented 40-year tax projections based on a 663-MW project capacity, statutory valuation rules, an assumed 2.3% annual inflation trend, and current tax rates. The transcript references projected annual tax amounts ranging from about $11.5 million initially to a low near $5.2 million and a later increase to about $8.3 million, though some figures and totals are garbled. He said roughly 62% of projected tax revenue would go to school districts.

Board members and counsel questioned the assumptions behind the capacity, job, and tax estimates, including the turbine model and rated capacity, construction duration, the distinction between job-years and workers on site, and the project’s limited direct operating staff. Cross-examination also addressed Lumis’s prior renewable-energy advocacy and compensation for his work; he said he charges $600 per hour and estimated Four Creeks had paid his firm more than $20,000 to date. The hearing recessed for a break. No contract awards, purchasing decisions, procurement votes, or procurement-related action items were identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Sources
- [Zoning Board of Appeals 10/1/26 - Session 1 Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Msp2tMV70) - Peoria County Government