ArentFox Schiff (law firm analysis) · Oct. 5, 2026 · Robert A.H. Middleton, Meera Gorjala, Duncan M. Weinstein
On September 30, the Illinois Supreme Court agreed to review Tate Road Solar v. County of Winnebago, the Fourth District case that said counties keep some discretion over solar permits. That ruling conflicts with the Third District’s Grundy County decision, which said compliant projects must be approved.
The court considered Grundy County’s petition too but granted review only in the Winnebago case. The authors expect briefing through the end of 2026, oral argument in spring 2027 and a decision likely in late 2027.
Disclosure: ArentFox Schiff attorneys represented the solar developers in the Grundy County case (per the appellate opinion).
Summary by the Illinois Land and Farmland Preservation Coalition. More from our News page. See also: Lawsuits Tracker · County Fights