SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a bill that transfers regulatory control over wind farm projects from counties to the state. The Governor signed the bill into law late last month, and it took effect immediately. The change was advocated by the Illinois Farm Bureau. Bill Bodine with the organization. He says it brings consistency to county regulations that vary widely. Bodine says counties can still choose to have standards that are more restrictive. Projects must have an agriculture impact mitigation agreement in place with the state before proceeding locally. The new law affects planned projects. Lee County Industrial Development Association president John Thompson says the new law could delay local projects in the short term, but could eventually smooth out the regulatory process.
Illinois wind farm regulation goes to state
