Green Garden Residents Seek Frankfort’s Support in Opposing 6,000-Acre Solar Farm

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | February 17, 2026

Article Summary: Representatives from the Green Garden Township Watershed Committee appealed to the Frankfort Village Board for support in opposing the massive “Earthrise” solar energy project. The group outlined environmental and economic concerns regarding the proposed 6,000-acre facility and proposed a partnership to preserve rural land boundaries.

Earthrise Solar Opposition Key Points:

• Massive Scale: The proposed “Earthrise” facility would span 6,000 acres across Green Garden, Wilton, and Manhattan townships, involving approximately 1.5 million solar panels.

• Environmental Concerns: Residents cited fears of zinc leeching from galvanized steel posts into the watershed and the potential for battery storage fires.

• Legal Action: The Watershed Committee plans to file litigation challenging Will County Ordinance 155-9.245, which allows for the aggregation of contiguous and non-contiguous properties for such projects.

• Regional Partnership: The group is asking Frankfort, Mokena, and Manhattan to help preserve rural boundaries to prevent industrial encroachment.

During the public comment portion of the Frankfort Village Board meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, residents from neighboring Green Garden Township urged village officials to help them oppose a massive solar development.

Tom Becker, Chairman of the Green Garden Township Watershed Committee, addressed the Board regarding the “Earthrise” solar farm. Becker described the project as a 6,000-acre facility covering parts of Green Garden, Wilton, and Manhattan townships, which would utilize over 1.5 million solar panels.

Becker argued that the project poses significant environmental risks to the local watershed. He expressed concern regarding the structural arrays, specifically zinc-galvanized steel posts driven into the ground.

“In our situation, the reason this is so damaging is these parcels… are running down our watershed where we have hydric soils,” Becker said. “The galvanic corrosion is exacerbated… zinc toxicity from the land will prevent plants from their normal growth.”

Beyond environmental concerns, Becker questioned the efficiency of solar power in the region, citing data from a ComEd engineer suggesting a 12% capacity factor for solar in Illinois compared to 99% for natural gas or nuclear energy.

The committee announced plans to file litigation against Will County, specifically challenging a zoning ordinance that allows non-contiguous properties to be bundled into a single zoning case. Becker described the ordinance as an “abomination” that could force a zoning hearing involving 500 adjacent landowners into a single evening.

The group requested that Frankfort work with Green Garden to establish preserved boundaries to limit industrial growth and maintain the area’s rural character. Jeff Becker, also speaking during public comment, warned that if the neighboring townships become industrial zones, it would negatively impact Frankfort’s commerce.

“Do you want Homer Glen next to you, or do you want an industrial park?” Jeff Becker asked the Board.

Prior to the public comment, Trustee Adam Borrelli clarified for the public that a separate, smaller solar project currently before the Frankfort Plan Commission is unrelated to the massive Earthrise proposal discussed by the Beckers.