Supervisor Dean Christofilos – Solar Update

Dated: 5-27-26

After the Will County Board approved the Earthrise and US Solar projects, it became clear to me that a decision this important to our community, and one that profoundly affects township residents, was driven largely by politics, fear, and money.

Politics

It appears that all Will County Board Democrats and one Republican voted to approve these massive solar projects. One of two of our Township’s Will County Board representatives, voted in favor of the solar project despite the clear and overwhelming opposition from Green Garden Township residents. When a board member personally opposes a project of this scale, and when their constituency is almost 100% opposed because of its size and location, how can one vote to approve it? Our highest obligation, regardless of party, is to protect the best interests of those we represent.

Fear

Board members were reportedly warned by the Will County State’s Attorney’s office that voting against the projects could expose them to personal fines, legal expenses, or even jail time. Even though that warning may have come with good intentions, fear should never be the deciding factor in a vote. Elected officials must have the courage to stand up for what is right and to challenge actions they believe harm the community they represent.

Money

It appears Earthrise began pursuing this project almost two years before township officials were informed by Earthrise. That secrecy raises serious ethical concerns. When the company finally approached township officials, Earthrise had no interest in talking about where our Township’s designated area for solar was located. Rather I was asked if there were any projects in the township that we wanted to get completed. I said yes, we wanted to build a new Town Hall. The Earthrise representative asked me the cost, and I said $750,000. He told me they can take care of that and would hope we would not speak out against the project.

The money that is being made including state and federal subsidies has encouraged the solar industry to charge ahead toward profitability with little regard for the communities affected. As the Bible warns, “the love of money is the root of all evil,” and this situation is a clear example of placing profit above people, property, and the long-term well-being of our township.

Obeying the Law

We respect and want to obey Illinois statutes and laws, but when those statutes are applied in a way that violate the rights of local townships and counties, we must speak up for what is right.

The Declaration of Independence in part says,
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it…”

I believe our rights have been violated. The pursuit of our happiness has been upended by these solar projects. I believe our Government in Springfield has made a mistake. The statutes that govern the solar industry are wrong and I am hopeful that they will be deemed unconstitutional. In the context of the Declaration of Independence that uses words like “alter and abolish,” we as a local county government had the opportunity to vote to oppose but did not.

Gratitude

Thank you to Attorney Steve Becker and his team for representing our residents, to the Watershed Committee led by Tom and Jeff Becker, and to every resident who spoke up and supported our township. As a community, we will continue to stand for what is right and pursue justice through the legal process.