SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WAND) — Thursday, the Shelby County Board voted unanimously to table a resolution that would give them local control of solar and wind projects. 

Right now, Illinois law requires local governments to approve all solar and wind farm projects with very few exceptions. The Shelby County Zoning Board said that has tied the hands of county leaders, severely limiting their control of solar or wind projects.

However, a bill introduced in Springfield could overturn the requirement. Additionally, the new administration in the White House could create the potential to put control back in the hands of local leaders.
 
The amendment presented by the Zoning Board to Shelby County would change the zoning ordinance, creating an automatic moratorium for wind and solar facilities. However, this only happens if the Illinois law is changed or challenged by the courts.
 
The Zoning Board said the moratorium couldn't go into effect now, because it would violate state law. But Board Chairman Tad Mayhall tells WAND the moratorium was created only to safeguard the county's interests in the future. He said he doesn't know of any current challenges to the state law-- but wants to be prepared.

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