Rural Illinois has had its hands tied when it comes to wind and solar ordinances, thanks to the State of Illinois superseding local ordinances. 

One area the State of Illinois hasn't come in over the top on - yet - is battery storage. DeWitt County Board Chair Joe Witte indicates that while the County has its wind and solar ordinances in order, it will be taking up the battery storage ordinances in 2026.

According to Witte, the Regional Planning Commission will take up the battery storage. From there, it will go through the usual avenues of the Zoning Board of Appeals and then the Land Use Committee before coming to the County Board, if it isn't sent back by any one of those entities.

Witte feels the wind and solar ordinances comply with the State of Illinois, but where they have the ability to do more than comply, they are planning to look into that. 

These will be things the elected County leadership takes up in 2026.