Sally Jo Turner, Illinois State Senator from 44th District (D) | https://www.facebook.com/SenatorSallyTurner
Sally Jo Turner, Illinois State Senator from 44th District (D) | https://www.facebook.com/SenatorSallyTurner
According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Counties Code. In provisions about commercial wind energy facilities and commercial solar energy facilities, removes changes made by Public Act 102-1123. Provides that any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms, commercial wind energy facilities, or commercial solar energy facilities that was in effect before January 27, 2023 may continue in effect notwithstanding any changes made in Public Act 102-1123 and, if applicable, any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms that was in effect before August 16, 2007 may continue in effect notwithstanding the changes made in Public Act 95-203."
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill amends the Counties Code regarding wind farms, electric-generating wind devices, and commercial solar energy facilities. It removes changes made by Public Act 102-1123, allowing pre-existing county zoning ordinances for these facilities to remain effective if they were in place before Jan. 27, 2023, and prior to Aug. 16, 2007, for wind farms. Counties may establish standards, such as device height and quantity, and regulate siting within unincorporated areas outside municipal zoning and a 1.5-mile radius of municipalities. A public hearing is required for siting decisions with notice published in a local newspaper. Facility owners must enter into agricultural impact mitigation agreements with the Department of Agriculture before public hearings or permit extensions. Only counties can set these standards outside municipal limits.
Sally J. Turner has proposed one other bill since the beginning of the 104th session.
Sally J. Turner is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 44th Senate District. She replaced previous state senator Bill Brady in 2021.
Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.
You can read more about bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB0038 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Counties Code. In provisions about commercial wind energy facilities and commercial solar energy facilities, removes changes made by Public Act 102-1123. Provides that any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms, commercial wind energy facilities, or commercial solar energy facilities that was in effect before January 27, 2023 may continue in effect notwithstanding any changes made in Public Act 102-1123 and, if applicable, any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms that was in effect before August 16, 2007 may continue in effect notwithstanding the changes made in Public Act 95-203. |
| SB0036 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule of the Department of Natural Resources to the contrary, a State authorized veterans' organization seeking to hold a memorial service at a State Memorial Site shall not pay a fee and shall not be required to obtain liability insurance if the permit to hold such service is approved by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall be provided a list of State authorized veterans' organizations by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Defines "State authorized veterans' organization". |
| SB0039 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Exempts any tiny home for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing, if that tiny home is constructed by a specified nonprofit organization that exclusively funds and administers tiny homes for veterans. Provides that every county and municipality that has the power to issue building permits and otherwise control the construction of buildings shall require by ordinance that an applicant seeking a building permit to construct tiny homes for at-risk veterans must include with the permit application a completed and signed affidavit stating that all buildings constructed under the permit are designated for the exclusive use of qualifying veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing. Prohibits a county or municipality, including a home rule unit, from adopting any building code or ordinance that requires EV-capable parking spaces for tiny homes constructed for the purpose of providing affordable housing for at-risk veterans under the provisions. Effective immediately. |
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