Shaw Local (The Herald-News) · May 21, 2026 · Bob Okon
The Will County Board voted 12–8 to approve Earthrise Energy’s Pride of the Prairie, spread across 96 properties in Manhattan, Green Garden and Wilton townships. It’s expected to take up about 25% of Green Garden Township’s farmland.
Neighbors described the loss of their rural way of life, and their attorney announced plans to challenge the state law in court. The developer projected jobs and tax revenue, and a farmer leasing land said solar was one of her family’s few remaining options.
“solar invasion of 6,000 acres” (Manhattan Township resident Tim Shanahan, via Shaw Local)
Summary by the Illinois Land and Farmland Preservation Coalition. More from our News page. See also: Lawsuits Tracker · County Fights