Peotone Township Board Approves Solar Farm Resolution Following Legal Review

Peotone Township Meeting | February 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Peotone Township Board unanimously approved a new resolution regarding solar farms within the township during their latest regular meeting. The measure was finalized after Township Supervisor Gene Younker collaborated with legal counsel to draft the local guidelines.

Solar Farm Resolution Key Points:

• Resolution #01-2026 was passed via a unanimous 5-0 roll call vote.

• Township Supervisor Gene Younker worked directly with Attorney Wennlund to draft the resolution.

• Trustee Grant Heatherwick introduced the motion for approval, which received a second from Trustee Ron Schubbe.

The Peotone Township Board on February 16, 2026, voted unanimously to approve a new resolution aimed at addressing solar farm developments within the township’s jurisdiction.

The vote on Resolution #01-2026 came during the Old Business portion of the board’s meeting. During the session, Township Supervisor Gene Younker informed the present trustees that he had recently worked with Attorney Wennlund to craft and finalize the resolution language regarding solar farms.

Following the brief update from Supervisor Younker, Trustee Grant Heatherwick made a motion to approve Resolution #01-2026. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ron Schubbe. The board approved the measure in a 5-0 roll call vote, with “yes” votes cast by Trustees James Morgan, Ron Schubbe, Randy Swartz, Grant Heatherwick, and Supervisor Younker.

The agenda packet provided background context indicating that this solar farm resolution had been a pending item for the board. However, while the published agenda also listed a “New Peotone Township .gov Domain Update” and a “Caleb Chemical Zoning Violation Update & Next Steps” under the Old Business section, neither item was formally discussed or actioned in the official meeting minutes. No further details regarding the specific zoning parameters of the solar resolution were read aloud during the swift 25-minute meeting.

There were no visitors in attendance to offer public comment on the solar resolution or any other agenda items.

Meeting Briefs:

Township Solicits Banking Bids
Under new business, Supervisor Gene Younker informed the board that official letters will be sent out to local financial institutions to solicit banking bids. Specifically, the township plans to mail bid requests to Old National Bank and First Community Bank. According to the meeting’s published agenda, these solicitation letters were scheduled to be mailed to the banks on February 21, 2026.

Highway Commissioner Readies for Spring Road Grading
Peotone Township Highway Commissioner John Hack delivered a brief update to the board regarding upcoming infrastructure maintenance. Hack reported that the township’s road crews are preparing for the changing seasons and will begin grading local roads as soon as the weather warms up.

Assessor’s Office Submits Abstract Report
An Assessor’s report was entered into the record, noting that the township had officially received its abstract report form from the Will County Supervisor of Assessments (SOA). Additionally, the report highlighted recent attendance at a Village of Peotone Future Planning meeting. Township Assessor Virginia Gates-Hamann was marked absent from the February 16 meeting.

Board Acknowledges $1,500 Veterans Home Donation
During the correspondence portion of the meeting, the board acknowledged receipt of a thank-you letter from the Manteno Veterans Home. The formal correspondence expressed gratitude for a $1,500 donation previously made by Peotone Township to support the facility’s operations.

Routine Financials and Bills Approved
The board unanimously approved a series of financial reports and bills with no dissenting votes. The Town Fund Budget Report, Road District Funds Budget Report, and the comprehensive Financial Summary Report were all officially accepted. Additionally, the board authorized the payment of bills for the Town Fund, Road & Bridge, Hard Road, Equipment Funds, and Building and Equipment Funds via a series of unanimous 5-0 roll call votes.

TOIRMA and Census Surveys Completed
The board noted the successful completion of several required administrative surveys and municipal renewals. Supervisor Gene Younker confirmed the completion and return of the Township Officials of Illinois Risk Management Association (TOIRMA) Annual Survey, as well as the TOIRMA 2026 renewal form. The township also completed and returned a mandatory U.S. Census Bureau survey, and noted an invitation to attend the annual Township Officials of Illinois (TOI) lobby day in Springfield on April 15.