Alicia Fabbre

Alicia Fabbre is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

Will County Board member Julie Berkowicz speaks in Joliet on May 21, 2026, as the board approved Earthrise Energy’s solar farm project. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Will County Board votes 12-8 to approve sprawling Pride of the Prairie solar farm

May 22, 2026 at 3:13 p.m.

The Will County Board approved Earthrise Energy’s 6,100-acre Pride of the Prairie solar farm in Green Garden, Wilton and Manhattan townships.

Attorney Steven Becker cross-examines Earthrise Energy's director of development during a Will County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at the Renaissance Center in Joliet on May 12, 2026. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune)

Will County zoning commission again votes no on 6,100-acre solar farm

May 13, 2026 at 2:24 p.m.

Earthrise Energy’s project advances to the board for a possible final vote next week.

Will County authorities investigating death of 2-month-old ruled a homicide

April 30, 2026 at 5:54 p.m.

The 2-month-old from unincportated Plainfield was taken to an area hospital and then airlifted to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where he later died.

Joliet Township Animal Control Assistant Director Becky Gomez holds a rooster, April 30, 2026, that was brought in following an arrest involving two men charged with using the roosters to fight. Many of the roosters' combs and wattles were cut off and showed other signs of injury from fighting, officials said. (Alicia Fabbre/for the Chicago Tribune)

Joliet police drug investigation leads to animal cruelty charges

April 30, 2026 at 6:25 p.m.

Joliet police rescued several hens, roosters and baby chicks from two men believed to have used some of the animals for fighting, authorities said.

Hinsdale Central High School (Pioneer Press file photo)

Assistant Hinsdale Central lacrosse coach fired after Kendall County charges

April 20, 2026 at 3:49 p.m.

Hinsdale High School District 86 Superintendent Michael Lach said an assistant boys lacrosse coach was removed after Kendall County charges.

Will County Board Republican Leader James Richmond speaks Thursday before a vote on a solar farm project near Crete. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune)

Will County Board OKs solar farm near Crete, reverses rejection on six farms

April 16, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.

The Will County Board approved a 2,400-acre solar farm near Crete and reversed course under judicial threat on six other projects.

Attendees hold signs against a proposed solar farm during a Will County Land Use and Development Committee meeting at the Renaissance Center in Joliet on April 2, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Opponents of Earthrise sprawling solar farm get temporary reprieve from Will County court

April 15, 2026 at 6:24 p.m.

Will County Judge Victoria Breslan granted a restraining order delaying Will County Board action on Earthrise's proposed solar farm.

The Lincoln Generating Facility, a peaker power plant run by Earthrise, sits idle as it does most days, on April 6, 2026, in south suburban Manhattan. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Inside an Earthrise peaker plant, a key to connecting Will County solar farms to the grid

April 14, 2026 at 7:49 a.m.

As Earthrise Energy looks to fire up solar farms across Illinois, the key to making them useful is directly linked to the five natural gas power plants it’s spent the...

Robin Ellis, the New Lenox assistant village administrator and community development director, speaks against the proposed solar facility for New Lenox Township May 15, 2025. She also wrote to Will County officials to say the village believes the land would be best for a residential development. (Michelle Mullins/for the Daily Southtown)

Will County Board to revisit rejected solar farm proposals following court order

April 9, 2026 at 4:54 p.m.

The Will County Board will re-vote on five solar farm projects it rejected after a judge ordered them to issue the permits.

Residents opposing Earthrise Energy's Pride of the Prairie solar farm project speak out during a hearing before the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission at the Renaissance Center in Joliet on March 30, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Lawsuit seeks to stop Earthrise solar farm vote at Will County Board

April 9, 2026 at 10:22 a.m.

Residents are suing Will County saying they couldn't cross-examine Earthrise Energy on a 6,100-acre solar farm near Manhattan.

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