Will County District 4 Race Pits GOP Solar Foes Against Two Democratic Challengers
The Will County District 4 election is focused largely on solar development, property taxes and land-use policy, but data centers have also emerged as a significant issue. Candidate Sheri Boniecki-Cooling opposes large data centers because of their energy, water, noise and land-use impacts, while Steve Balich has called for county study and regulations before proposals are submitted. County board members have introduced proposals for a data center moratorium and initial zoning rules.
The Will County District 4 race pits Republican incumbents Jim Richmond and Steve Balich against Democratic challengers Sheri Boniecki-Cooling and William Pratt for two seats covering Mokena, Homer Glen, New Lenox and Lockport. The contest could affect the balance of power on the evenly divided 22-member county board, with County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant holding tie-breaking authority.
Solar development and property taxes dominate the campaign, but data center policy is also emerging as a dividing line. Boniecki-Cooling opposes large facilities because she says they can strain electricity and water supplies, create noise and lock land into industrial use. Balich has instead advocated studying data centers and micro-nuclear plants and adopting ordinances before projects are proposed. County board members have introduced proposals calling for a data center moratorium and the county's first data center zoning rules, though the article does not report final action on either measure.