Crete Village Board approves 2,400-acre solar farm despite resident backlash

Earthrise Energy plans to use existing natural gas plant to provide solar power to 50,000 households

Mar. 10, 2026 at 7:49pm

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The Crete Village Board voted 5-1 to annex about 200 acres along the village's boundaries and zone it for a 2,400-acre solar farm project proposed by Earthrise Energy. The company plans to use its existing natural gas plant in Crete to connect to the electric grid and provide solar power to an estimated 50,000 households in Illinois. The village intends to annex another 620 acres later, increasing the village's size by 15%. Despite concerns from residents about lack of communication and the impact on their rural way of life, the board approved the project, which is expected to generate $2.3 million in revenue for local taxing bodies in its first year.

Why it matters

The approval of the large-scale solar farm project highlights the tension between renewable energy development and preserving rural communities. While the project promises significant tax revenue and job creation, residents are concerned about the loss of farmland and their rural character. This case illustrates the challenges municipalities face in balancing economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community interests.

The details

Earthrise Energy, based in Arlington, Virginia, operates a natural gas plant in Crete and plans to use that infrastructure to connect to the electric grid and provide solar power to an estimated 50,000 households in Illinois. Following approvals at the county level, the company expects to begin construction in the Plum Valley area later this year and connect to the power grid in 2028. The Village Board voted 5-1 to annex about 200 acres along the village's boundaries and zone it for agricultural use. The village intends to annex another 620 acres later, once they are contiguous with the village's new borders. In total, the village will increase in size by 15% once both annexations are final.

  • The Crete Village Board voted on the approvals on Monday.
  • Earthrise Energy expects to begin construction in the Plum Valley area later this year.
  • The solar farm is expected to connect to the power grid in 2028.
  • A special Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 18 at 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet.

The players

Earthrise Energy

An energy company based in Arlington, Virginia, that operates a natural gas plant in Crete and plans to develop the 2,400-acre solar farm project.

Crete Village Board

The local governing body that voted 5-1 to approve the annexation and zoning for the solar farm project.

Rob Kalbouss

Earthrise Energy's Development Director, who presented the project plans and benefits to the community.

Cheryl Muszynski

A Crete resident who expressed frustration about the lack of communication from the village about the project.

Steven Becker

A Chicago attorney who said he represented a resident living near the project area and claimed Earthrise did not post signs providing notice of the project in the development area quickly enough.

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What they’re saying

“This is new revenue that (we) are going to offer local taxing bodies to provide the services that this community benefits from every day. Those public services will be better funded after this project.”

— Rob Kalbouss, Earthrise Energy Development Director

“For you to say 'we found out about this through social media' — shame on everyone. Because if you think you're getting the truth out of social media, that's not true.”

— Holly Milburn, Crete Village Board member

“You guys are going to vote for the beginning of the end of the life that we all really moved out here for.”

— Joe Hiemenz, Resident whose home lies in the unincorporated area to be annexed

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges municipalities face in balancing renewable energy development, economic growth, and community interests. While the solar farm project promises significant tax revenue and job creation, residents are concerned about the loss of farmland and their rural way of life. The lack of communication from the village has fueled frustration, underscoring the importance of transparent and inclusive decision-making processes when it comes to major land use changes.