County board meets

A commercial solar energy project and the awarding of state grant funding for a local road project were highlighted at last week’s regular meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners. The meeting was Friday morning, Oct. 10, at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.

Solar Energy Project

The commissioners passed a resolution which approved a special use permit for the siting of a commercial solar energy facility near Anna. A public hearing on the matter was held Oct. 7.

The commissioners have adopted an ordinance governing the siting of commercial solar energy facilities and substations within the county. Union County Ordinance 2025-02 requires parties which desire to establish a commercial solar energy facility or substation to submit an application for a special use permit.

The resolution approved by the commissioners showed that Wild Cat Solar 22 LLC had submitted an application for a special use permit for construction of a commercial solar energy facility to be located off of Lick Creek Road near Anna on privately owned property. The application was accompanied by all of the information, studies, maps, drawings and an executed agricultural impact mitigation agreement, as required by the county’s ordinance.

The commissioners have found that granting of the special use permit for the development of the commercial solar energy facility is appropriate.

The resolution passed by the county board on Friday took effect immediately. The 2.3 megawatt solar energy facility will be located on 16 acres of ground and is expected to be operational by mid-2026.

Grant Funding

County engineer Amy Ferris announced the awarding of $1.8 million in state grant funds for a local road project. The Illinois Department of Transportation grant will fund reconstruction of Lake Road in the Dongola area. Work is planned in 2026.