Public Commentary Sparks Debate on Tax Fairness and Solar Projects
The November 21, 2024, Will County Board meeting drew impassioned public commentary, spotlighting concerns about property tax equity, controversial solar farm proposals, and the community’s expectations for board accountability.
Among the most vocal was Julie Connor of Lockport Township, who challenged the County Board of Review over what she alleged were improper assessment reductions that disproportionately favored corporate-owned vacant lots. “Because of this letter,” she said, referencing a document from the Board of Review, “this company will be saving about $300,000 in property taxes over four years. Guess who’s picking up the tab for that discount? Lockport Township taxpayers.”
Connor detailed a study conducted by the Lockport Township Assessor’s Office, which sought to bring assessments in the Fairmont area into alignment based on sales data. She claimed the Board of Review later undermined the study by reducing the assessments of 212 parcels owned by one corporation by a staggering 80%. The result, according to Connor, was tax bills of just $18.50 per lot for the company, while nearby comparable lots paid hundreds more.
In her plea, Connor called for the Board of Review to reinstate the equity study’s results, urging them to uphold their statutory responsibility to ensure fair and uniform assessments. “It is time for your appointed professionals to follow state practices and procedures,” she said.
Other speakers voiced broader concerns about the county’s approach to economic development and fiscal transparency. Mike Johnston, a resident who submitted written comments, criticized the board for perceived inefficiencies and lack of accountability in its budgeting process. Johnston called on members to reduce wasteful spending, citing escalating property taxes as unsustainable.
“The county needs to live within its means as taxpayers do,” Johnston wrote. He also decried what he saw as dismissive attitudes from board members toward public concerns, including a comment allegedly made by a board member suggesting that residents unable to afford rising taxes should sell their homes.
While tax equity was a recurring theme, the meeting also showcased a heated debate over a proposed 3,600-acre solar farm project in Reed and Custer Townships. Residents living near the project site presented passionate arguments, citing environmental, economic, and quality-of-life concerns.
Wendy Traic, a resident of Custer Township, questioned the compatibility of industrial-scale solar installations with the area’s agricultural character. “At best, this should be deemed light industrial,” she argued, adding that the long-term lease agreements for such projects would fundamentally alter the landscape for decades.
Other residents, like Betty Anderson, spoke emotionally about the land’s historical and familial significance. “This land is not just land—it is our land,” she said, recounting her family’s generational ties to the property and her fears of potential environmental risks, including contamination of water sources.
Concerns over the environmental impact of solar panels also featured prominently in comments from James Traic, who highlighted findings from ecological assessments that identified 23 threatened or endangered species within the project’s footprint. “This is one of the cleanest watersheds in Illinois,” he said, cautioning against the project’s potential to disrupt local ecosystems.
Despite the mounting public opposition, the developer has touted the project’s potential tax revenue benefits, projecting nearly $1.8 million in annual revenue for local jurisdictions. However, opponents contend that these benefits are short-lived and fail to offset the long-term consequences for the community.
The board will deliberate on the solar project and other contentious topics in upcoming sessions, with decisions likely to set significant precedents for land use and tax policy in Will County.
Stay tuned for more detailed coverage of additional agenda items and resolutions from the meeting. Let me know if you’d like specific topics covered next or adjustments to the tone or details of this story.