Green Garden Front Page
Will County Committee Pulls Single-Member District Referendum
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | June 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, June 11, 2026, removed a proposed referendum on single-member county board districts after learning the question would have to be binding rather than advisory. Single-Member Districts Key Points: The committee voted to remove Resolution 26-4989,…
Read MoreWill County Executive Committee Splits on Whether to Ask Voters About Single-Member Districts
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | May 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, May 14, 2026, took the temperature of members on a proposal to place an advisory referendum on the November 2026 ballot asking voters whether they want to move from 11 two-member districts to single-member districts,…
Read MoreWill County Executive Committee Recommends 600 MW Pride of the Prairie Solar Project in 6-5 Split Vote
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | May 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, May 14, 2026, voted 6-5 to recommend approval of a special use permit for the Pride of the Prairie commercial solar energy facility, a 6,099-acre, 600-megawatt project spanning Manhattan, Green Garden and Wilton townships, despite…
Read MoreZinc Leaching and Flooding Concerns Dominate Testimony at Will County Solar Hearing
Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 12, 2026 Article Summary: Expert and resident testimonies during Tuesday’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting highlighted severe concerns over groundwater contamination and flooding if a 6,000-acre solar farm is built on hydric soils. Environmental Impact Key Points: A Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District…
Read MoreWill County Planning and Zoning Commission Recommends Denial of 6,099-Acre Earthrise Solar Project After Court-Ordered Hearing
Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 12, 2026 Article Summary: Following a court-mandated cross-examination hearing, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 1-4 to recommend denial of a special use permit for the massive Lincoln Solar Energy project spanning three townships. Earthrise Solar Project Key Points: The PZC voted 1-4…
Read MoreGreen Garden Solar Project Cleared to Implement Higher “Agrivoltaic” Standards
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved four variances on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to facilitate “agrivoltaics” at a proposed solar farm in Green Garden Township, allowing native plants to grow up to three feet tall. The decision permits USS Talamh…
Read MoreGreen Garden Solar Farm Approved in Split Vote; Battery Storage Component Rejected
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for a new 4.98-megawatt solar facility in Green Garden Township on May 5, 2026, but formally rejected a request for an on-site battery energy storage system following intense testimony regarding environmental safety and…
Read MoreWill County Board Approves Controversial Solar Farms Following Court Mandate
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: Under the strict constraints of a court-issued writ of mandamus, the Will County Board grudgingly approved multiple special use permits for commercial solar facilities. The approvals included the 2,258-acre Plum Valley Solar project, while the Board simultaneously passed a resolution urging state lawmakers to restore…
Read MoreIndiana Man Faces Federal Indictment, Potential Death Penalty for Momence Bar Owner’s Murder
Article Summary: State prosecutors have officially transferred the first-degree murder case against Julius Burkes to the U.S. Department of Justice. The 47-year-old Indiana man now faces federal charges, including the possibility of the death penalty, for the February armed robbery and murder of 30-year-old Courtney M. Drysdale. Federal Prosecution Key Points: Julius Burkes, 47, of…
Read MoreGreen Garden Township’s Wildflower Farm Granted Third Extension for Rural Events Permit
Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously approved a third 180-day extension for a special use permit allowing rural events at The Wildflower Farm in Green Garden Township. Wildflower Farm Extension Key Points: Zoning Case SEXT-26-010 grants a…
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