Rep. DeLuca Proposes 500-Foot Setback Between Homes and Commercial Solar Farms

Illinois State Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) filed House Bill 4135 on September 18, 2023, proposing substantially larger buffer zones between commercial solar developments and nearby homes. The measure amends the Illinois Counties Code to let counties require commercial solar energy facilities to be sited at least 500 feet from the property line of a non-participating property - up from the current 50-foot minimum - and at least 500 feet from the nearest point of an occupied community building or dwelling on non-participating property, up from the current 150 feet.

DeLuca said the proposal was a response to concerns he had heard from Will County residents about the pace and scale of commercial solar farm development in their communities. "When I engage Will County residents, it's clear that people don't want massive solar arrays right next to their home," DeLuca said in comments accompanying the bill's introduction. "There are legitimate concerns regarding property values and environmental impact. This is why I'm proposing a simple proposal that fairly prioritizes existing homeowners."

What the bill does

HB 4135 is narrowly targeted. It applies only to large commercial solar energy facilities - not rooftop solar panels or other residential solar installations. It does not impose a statewide 500-foot setback by default; instead, it gives counties the discretion to require the larger buffer when approving commercial projects. Current Illinois law, as revised by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), sets uniform statewide siting standards that cap the setback counties may require at 50 feet from a non-participating property line and 150 feet from an occupied building. DeLuca's bill would raise those caps to 500 feet in both cases, restoring more local control.

Why homeowners should pay attention

For homeowners living near farmland or other large parcels that could be converted into solar arrays, setback rules directly affect what they see from their windows, how close heavy equipment can be installed, and - according to testimony from supporters - potentially the resale value of their property. Solar developers, on the other hand, argue that larger setbacks effectively shrink the amount of buildable land per parcel, making projects less economically viable and slowing Illinois's transition to renewable energy.

DeLuca framed the bill as a balance between those interests. "While many of us are intrigued by solar development, we must handle it in a responsible way. We must provide flexibility for local governments," he said. "I look forward to continuing to engage Will County residents and officials as we navigate this new development."

Status and next steps

At the time of filing, DeLuca was the bill's only sponsor. HB 4135 received its first reading and was referred to the House Rules Committee on October 18, 2023, and was later advanced by the House Energy and Environment Committee in a 19-6 vote on February 6, 2024. The bill did not pass before the 103rd General Assembly ended and was declared failed at session Sine Die on January 7, 2025.

Homeowners in Illinois counties where commercial solar development is active - Will, Kankakee, DeKalb, LaSalle, and others - should check with their county planning office about current setback rules and any proposed updates. While HB 4135 itself did not become law, similar local-control proposals are likely to resurface in future sessions, and many counties continue to wrestle with how to balance renewable energy incentives against residential concerns.