Title
Resolution directing the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals to conduct a public hearing on proposed text amendments to Chapter 151 of the Lake County, Illinois, Code of Ordinances relating to sustainable energy facilities in unincorporated Lake County.
Staff Summary
• The Illinois Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (Public Act 104-0458) passed on January 8, 2026, expands and modifies existing statutory limits on county regulations for commercial solar and wind facilities, and introduces new statutory limits on county regulations for energy storage systems. Public Act 104-0458 mandates county adoption of corresponding regulations.
• To minimize delay in considering regulations for unincorporated Lake County, staff has begun drafting text amendments to update standards for commercial solar and wind facilities, and new standards for energy storage systems to comply with Public Act 104-0458.
• In accordance with Planning, Building and Development Department (PBD) current practice for amendments, a resolution has been prepared for County Board action directing the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to conduct a public hearing upon staff’s completion of draft amendments.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board adopted the Unified Development Ordinance of Lake County, Illinois, on April 11, 2000; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board incorporated the Lake County Unified Development Ordinance into the Lake County, Illinois, Code of Ordinances as Chapter 151 of the Lake County, Illinois Code of Ordinances on February 10, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Public Act 104-0458, prescribes county regulations for new commercial wind and solar facilities, as well as energy storage systems, throughout the State of Illinois, for county adoption of corresponding regulations; and
WHEREAS, there is a timely need to update and adopt corresponding regulations for unincorporated Lake County to comply with the statute; and
WHEREAS, the Planning, Building and Development Department will draft proposed amendments to the text of the Lake County Code of Ordinances related to commercial solar and wind facilities and energy storage systems, and will submit such proposed amendments to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) at a public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the Planning, Building, Zoning and Environment Committee is of the opinion that necessary steps should be taken by the Lake County Board to initiate the public hearing process; and
WHEREAS, the state law requires a public hearing to amend the text of the Lake County Code of Ordinances.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Lake County Board that the ZBA is hereby directed to conduct a public hearing to consider the adoption of regulations, as proposed by the Planning, Building and Development Department, related to commercial solar and wind facilities and energy storage systems and such other amendments that are directly related thereto; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the ZBA is hereby directed to notify the ZBA of this action and keep a record of this Resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the County Board shall keep a record of this action.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on June 9, 2026.