The DeWitt County Board voted Tuesday night to postpone the vote on the special use permit for the Tradewind Energy Alta Farms II wind project in the northwest corner of DeWitt County. 

At the special meeting, Melanie Tilley asked the board to consider moving the meeting to Tuesday, July 14 at 6 pm with concerns about board members present and the ability to monitor their activity.

Tilley also expressed concerns over the meeting not being audible, something opponents of the project have been expressing concerns about in recent comments. Additionally, an open meetings act concern was brought up as well.

Terry Ferguson pointed to comments by Tradewind project development manager Tom Swierczewski when on the WHOW Morning Show stated ideally, they too would like to have the meeting with everyone present. Ferguson says if Illinois can move to phase 4 of Governor JB Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan in July, perhaps there could a limited audience present. 

Since the County has gone to virtual meetings, Nate Ennis points out he has not been able to be present for any of them. Tilley feels there may be a rights violation for board members by having to exclude some board members from being present at the County Courthouse.

Board Lance Reece took some exception to the comments by Ennis and Tilley. He and Tilley exchanged thoughts on who is in the room and who is in another room. Reece says if you wait until the coronavirus has passed and for everyone to meet in the same room, a vote may not happen until next year.

Christy Pruser suggested the Board's vote be July 14 no matter the circumstances surrounding the guidelines from the Governor. After much confusion about language in motion amendments and votes necessary to pass the motions, the Board approved the postponement of the meeting to July 14, whether it be held virtually or in person.