This detailed order prepared by IL Circuit Court Judge Michael Colwell rejects wind developer NextEra's motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by about 40 landowners around the Shabbona area, giving the residents the trial they have sought for nearly a year. The lawsuit stems from the June 2009 decision by the DeKalb County Board to grant NextEra permission to build and operate 119 turbines in Afton, Clinton, Milan and Shabbona townships. NextEra has since built and begun to operate a 145-turbine wind farm that straddles the DeKalb-Lee county line. The lawsuit names NextEra Energy, the DeKalb County Board and each of its 24 members, and the nearly 100 landowners who allowed the turbines to be installed on their property.

Plaintiff, Patricia A. Muscarello, by and through her attorney, Oliver Close LLC, filed 10 counts against the Winnebago County Board, Navitas Energy, Inc. and others including Count VI, denial of due process under Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and Count VII, Denial of Due Process under Section 2 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Illinois. The briefs in this case were filed with the United States District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. The briefs can be downloaded in their entirety by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.

The Logan County, IL zoning board of adjustment is conducting a public hearing on Horizon Wind's Rail Splitter wind facility. Mr. Len Freeman of Emden, IL presented this testimony before the Board. An excerpt of Mr. Freeman's testimony can be read below. His full testimony can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

The below statement was filed with the Logan County Planning Commission in regard to the Rail Splitter wind energy facility proposed for Logan County, IL.

Tom Hewson takes a very comprehensive look at the development issues associated with the proposed Baileyville Wind Farm in Illinois.

Sue Sliwinski took a 9 day, 3000 mile trip visiting 7 wind farms across several states. Here's her report.