Across Illinois, productive farmland is being converted into large-scale solar developments—removing it from food production, weakening local economies, and taking control away from communities.
This is not just about energy. It’s about land, livelihoods, and who gets to decide the future of our communities.
Illinois is experiencing a rapid expansion of industrial solar development. Developers are targeting thousands of acres of productive farmland—especially in rural counties with access to infrastructure.
This growth isn’t happening because communities are demanding it. It’s being driven by policy incentives, legal pressure, and a race to secure land before subsidy deadlines.
Farmland produces food, fuel, and essential goods season after season. It is one of the most reliable renewable resources we have.
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Agriculture supports a full network of jobs—from equipment and trucking to grain handling and processing.
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Local farmland plays a direct role in feeding communities and maintaining long-term food security.
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When farmland is converted, it is removed from production for decades—limiting future use.
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Industrial solar is often presented as a simple solution—but the full picture is more complicated.
Many projects are led by companies with no long-term connection to the community.
Construction jobs are temporary. After completion, very few permanent jobs remain.
Agriculture creates continuous economic movement. Solar replaces it with a static land use.
These decisions will shape our communities for generations. Once land is converted, it cannot easily be restored.
If we don’t act now, the opportunity to protect it will be gone.