Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township to Review Solar Farm Proposal at Special Meeting

Manhattan Township will host a special meeting Jan. 28 to review a proposed solar farm development at the corner of Cherry Hill and Manhattan roads.

Soltage Renewable Energy Provider has applied for a special use permit with Will County Land Use to develop the solar installation, Manhattan Township Supervisor James F. Walsh announced during the township’s monthly meeting Tuesday.

“The board should host a special call meeting to invite the developer to present its plans and in turn, the Township can provide the developer with our list of requirements,” Walsh told trustees during the Jan. 14 meeting at Manhattan Township Community Building.

The 7 p.m. meeting will give township officials the opportunity to hear details about the project and share the township’s requirements with the developer before the county’s land use review process continues.

Solar farm developments have become increasingly common in rural Will County areas as renewable energy companies seek large tracts of open land for installations. Township input during the county permitting process allows local officials to address concerns about traffic, construction impacts, and long-term land use.

The proposed location sits at a prominent intersection in the township, making community input particularly important for the development review.

Township trustees Paul Woodcock, Bill McGrath and Mark Yunker were present for Tuesday’s meeting, while Trustee Eileen Fitzer was absent. The board unanimously supported Walsh’s recommendation to schedule the special meeting.

Other township business conducted Tuesday included approval of the 2025-2026 assessor’s budget and routine financial matters. Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas reported that a new township truck has arrived and that he will attend a pre-construction meeting Jan. 24 for the Baker Road Bridge Project.

The Jan. 28 special meeting is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m. at the Manhattan Township Community Building.

Latest News Stories

Meeting Briefs

In Brief: Capital & IT News

Here are other highlights from the Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee meeting on Tuesday. Successful Fire Drill at County BuildingThe Will County Office Building held its first full...
Meeting Briefs

Will County Finance Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs

Bond Refinancing Advances: Finance Committee approved an ordinance authorizing up to $200.8 million in bond refinancing that could save taxpayers more than $716,000. The measure moves to the full County...
Meeting Briefs

Will County Public Works Committee Juliy 1 Meeting Briefs

ROAD CONTRACTS APPROVED Austin Tyler Construction Contract: The committee approved a $691,544 contract with Austin Tyler Construction for resurfacing River Road from East Frontage Road to Prairie Creek Bridge and...
Meeting Briefs

Manhattan Village Board Briefs

2025 Road Resurfacing Approved: The board approved an IDOT resolution for maintenance under Illinois code for the village's 2025 resurfacing project totaling $750,000. The project will complete streets that were...
About Us Website Header - 1

New Lenox Library Board Seats New Trustees, Reorganizes After Election

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Public Library District Board of Trustees officially seated its newly elected members and reorganized its leadership and committee assignments for the new term at...
New-Lenox-School-122.3

New Lenox D122 Board Approves Nearly $300,000 for Summer Maintenance Projects

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has approved a comprehensive list of 56 maintenance and capital improvement projects to be completed over the summer, allocating a total...
new-lenox-fire-district-stations.3

New Lenox Fire District to Launch Comfort Dog Program for First Responders, Community

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Fire Protection District is adding a four-legged member to its team after the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the creation of a new comfort...
new-lenox-library.2-1

Library’s ‘Studio’ Draws Record Crowds with New Tech and Creative Programs

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Public Library’s creative hub, The Studio, is experiencing a surge in popularity, shattering attendance records and successfully launching new technology-driven programs, according to a...
New-Lenox-School-122.5

D122 to Spend $24,950 on Professional Enrollment Forecast

New Lenox School District 122 will hire an outside firm to conduct a comprehensive, 10-year enrollment forecast at an estimated cost of $24,950. The Board of Education approved an agreement...
Police blue and red flashing light on the car in the street

Manhattan Police Report

Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On June 25th, officers stopped Jr. Vrabel, Daniel (44) of Joliet, Illinois...
JJC-Graphic-Logo

JJC Trustees Approve Contentious FY26 Budget After Heated Debate, Failed Postponement

The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a $322.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026, but not before a tense debate that saw a motion to postpone...
Screenshot 2025-07-06 at 9.50.39 AM

Lincoln Way District 210 Approves $2.1 Million Budget Amendment, Maintains Strong Financial Position

Lincoln Way Community High School District 210 board members unanimously approved an amended fiscal year 2025 budget Thursday night that increases the district's operating surplus to $2.1 million while maintaining...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.5

JJC’s ‘12x12x12’ Initiative Boosts College Credits, Increases Matriculation Rate

Joliet Junior College’s ambitious "12x12x12" initiative is yielding significant results, leading to more high school students earning college credits and a greater percentage of them choosing to attend JJC after...
Screenshot 2025-07-06 at 9.45.35 AM

District 210 Approves Administrative Restructuring, Staff Salary Increases

Lincoln Way Community High School District 210 board members approved administrative restructuring and salary increases for non-union clerical support staff during closed session actions Thursday night. The board unanimously approved...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.4

JJC Board Meeting Highlights Tensions Over Legal Bills, Trustee Conduct

An otherwise routine vote to approve monthly bill payments ignited a tense exchange at the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, revealing ongoing friction over redacted legal invoices,...