December 18, 2018
Illinois

Commissioners approve use of law firm during wind project

Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree | Jacksonville Journal-Courier | December 18, 2018 | www.myjournalcourier.com

The Morgan County Board of Commissioners will work with Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins of Chicago as the board revises the county’s wind ordinance and during any future wind farm projects.

The board approved the use of the firm Monday during its regular meeting.

The board is working to update its wind ordinance as several companies research the potential for wind farms in the county, board chairman Brad Zeller said.

“As we update our wind ordinance, we want to make sure to do it correctly,” Zeller said. “We want to make sure that we have everything covered and worded correctly.”

The firm specializes in county boards and municipal law, Zeller said.

“They were recommended to me by the Logan County board chair,” he said. “(Logan) County used them during their wind farm project and they have an expertise in road use.”

It will be a good thing to have someone with expertise in county ordinances to help through the process, Commissioner Ginny Fanning said.

“This will allow us to have another set of eyes to make sure we are doing things the right way,” she said.

The board will not begin working with the firm until at least January, Zeller said.

While the firm primarily will be used as a sounding board during the ordinance revision, the board also could use it for other things during the wind farm process, Zeller said.

“If we get any applications for a wind farm, which we have not at this time, we could use them to make sure everything is in order,” Zeller said. “We want to make sure we are doing things correctly and in the right way.”

The county also will continue to be represented and advised by the Morgan County State’s Attorney’s office, Zeller said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/12/18/commissioners-approve-use-of-law-firm-during-wind-project/