The La Salle County Board overwhelmingly voted Thursday to send a literal message to Springfield.

Board members have strongly approved a resolution for a repeal and replacement of a new law that they believe has silenced their voice in the discussion of where to put renewable energy projects.

House Bill 4412 was signed into law in late January. The law sets uniform siting standards across Illinois. But members of the board believe the new law also restricts a county’s zoning authority to decide where wind and solar facilities may be sited. Under terms of the new legislation, counties have had to change their zoning laws to comply. And, if a wind or solar project is presented at a county zoning board meeting, and the proposal fits within the new law, the project must be approved by the county.

It’s the majority of the La Salle County Board’s position that the new language should be repealed to re-establish what they call the “rightful balance” among the state, counties, and municipalities on such issues.

During Thursday’s discussion on the resolution, board members expressed concern that they no longer have a voice on project that they believe could impact health, safety, and general welfare. Other concerns included ensuring local tradespeople can be hired to do the work, which is not specified in the new bill. Neither is flexibility in selecting where elements such the solar panels are built. And, as mentioned in the debate, Springfield has put more figurative distance between voter and decision.

Voting against sending a message of disapproval to Springfield were Ali Braboy of La Salle; David Torres of Oglesby; and Brian Dose, Thomas Miller, and Tom Walsh of Ottawa.