Wind Power

The McLean County Board approved a $3.2 million contract to renovate the 50-year-old nursing home, and address alternative energy projects and other matters.

Statewide averages over each period were marginally higher than for the region. Overall land values were still up across the state last year, but the report showed some declines in the price of high-quality farmland in northeastern Illinois and the region around Decatur.

George Wendt has served the largely rural and very Republican leaning McLean County Board District three for 14 years. In an unusual event, Wendt faces a primary challenge from Brian Loeffler, a farmer in the southern and western part of the county.

Efforts are ramping up at the state and federal levels to create more green energy infrastructure. There’s a lot in the federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois to stimulate creation of infrastructure, and advocates are increasingly trying to get public buy-in of what will change the landscape — sometimes literally.

The $350 million Sapphire Sky wind farm will be built in southeastern McLean County. Its 64 wind turbines are expected to produce enough electricity to power about 80,000 homes annually, plus $79 million in property tax revenue for local taxing bodies over the life of the project.

The $350 million Sapphire Sky wind farm will be built in southeastern McLean County. Its 64 wind turbines are expected to produce enough electricity to power about 80,000 homes annually, plus $79 million in property tax revenue for local taxing bodies over the life of the project.

This week in central Illinois, we’ve seen three straight days of snow, gloomy skies, and temperatures in the single digits. Doesn’t exactly sound like a…