Solar Siting Lawsuits Tracker
Since the 2023 law, developers have sued counties that said no, and neighbors and villages have sued over approvals. Every case links to a court record or news report.
Cases tracked across 5 counties
See cases below
McHenry projects approved under court order
Source: Shaw Local
Will County projects approved under court order
Source: Shaw Local
Illinois Supreme Court agrees to hear Tate Road
Source: ArentFox Schiff
The Cases
Status is as reported by the linked sources as of the last-updated date. This isn’t legal advice.
Tate Road Solar v. County of Winnebago
The appellate court said counties may consider factors beyond the statute and keep “some discretion.”
Opinion · ISBA · ArentFox Schiff
Equity Solar Illinois v. County of Grundy
The board unanimously denied two projects in Feb. 2024. Courts ordered the permits; the Third District affirmed. The Supreme Court took the Winnebago case instead.
Opinion · Shaw Local · ArentFox Schiff
Pride of the Prairie neighbors v. Will County
18 property owners challenge the 6,100-acre approval and the state law itself on due-process grounds. The developer calls it meritless.
Chicago Tribune
Six developers v. Will County (consolidated)
A judge ordered the county to approve the denied projects by April 17. On April 16 the board approved six under the court order.
Farmers Weekly Review · Shaw Local
Shorewood & Channahon challenge
The villages plan to appeal the judge’s order forcing approval of the six projects.
Shaw Local · Shaw Local
Five developers v. McHenry County
Courts ordered approval of Pebble, Water Locust, Arena Topaz, Crystal Lake and Railway Solar; the board approved them 11–7.
Shaw Local · Shaw Local
Prataria Solar v. Whiteside County
After two denials and a lawsuit, the county settled and granted the permit.
Shaw Local
Status Key
Pending
Case is active.
County lost
Court ordered or upheld approval.
For counties
Ruling preserved county discretion.
Settled
Resolved by agreement.
Know of a case we missed?
Email info@illinoisfarmlandpreservation.com and we’ll verify it and add it.