Battery storage land in Will County, Illinois

Use the published code as a starting point

The county’s online code includes Section 155-9.220, “Battery Energy Storage Facilities.” The county also describes its 2022 change allowing the use in industrially zoned areas. That announcement is historical background, not a current parcel approval.

The online code is labeled 2025 S-25. Illinois introduced storage-related changes in 2026. Ask the planning office which current state and local provisions govern the proposed use, and whether a more recent amendment applies. Do not rely on an older PDF or announcement alone.

Reference: Will County: published battery storage code · Will County: background to the 2022 zoning change · Illinois Commerce Commission: energy planning and current reforms

Confirm who controls the land-use decision

Provide the parcel number and municipality, if known. A county postal address does not by itself show whether county zoning or a city or village process applies. Ask the responsible office to confirm the proposed use classification.

If an owner already has an industrial site, describe what happens there now: deliveries, outdoor storage, parking, tenants or plans for another building. A battery project should be evaluated against those uses, not just against a vacant area visible on an aerial image.

Ask for the whole project drawing

The published battery section addresses utility lines, security barriers and submission materials for facilities needing a special-use permit. This is a reason to ask for a complete site drawing before agreeing to a footprint.

Show the equipment, entrance, utility route and the areas you must keep using. Ask whether construction vehicles would share your business entrance and whether a separate access right is proposed. For agricultural land, include field entrances and drainage features as well.

Reference: Will County: published battery storage code

Check the electrical route separately

Tell us the electric utility listed on an existing bill. If there is no service on the parcel, say so. A line along the boundary can be worth investigating, but the actual connection point and equipment still need to be identified.

Ask whether the project is being investigated as distribution-connected storage or a larger connection. Those proposals can involve different work. Do not let a map for smaller projects stand in for a study of a different connection design.

An unused yard still has value to you

Before agreeing to an option, decide which future uses you want to preserve. You may need space for a new tenant, truck circulation or an expansion. Ask how the agreement affects those plans and whether unused land is released once the final layout is chosen.

Compare payments with the land and rights being reserved. Ask when lease payments begin, what happens during delays and who is responsible for removal. A clear map and payment schedule make offers easier to compare than a headline annual figure.

Start an inquiry with the facts you already have

Send the property location and contact details. Add the current use, utility and parcel number if available. Tell us whether you could consider the whole site or only an unused part.

You do not need to apply for a permit or calculate a battery size before contacting Sunland. An initial review can identify questions for later investigation. It is not a commitment to build, lease or sell.