East Central Reporter

A Kansas-based company is advertising a wind-powered electricity transmission line that will cross southern Illinois, and Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is concerned about the project and its effect on Illinois residents.

Halbrook said on Facebook that the company will have the power to claim eminent domain in the state.

 “And this is just one of the implications of the new green deal that hit Illinois,” he wrote. “It is going to cost our property owners tons of cash just to try to avoid this situation and I don’t know where this is ultimately going to land.”

The Missouri Times reported that one of the ramifications of Senate Bill 2408, which was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last August, was that the bill permits Invenergy to claim eminent domain for the Grain Belt Express development.

The law was filed by Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) last February, according to the Illinois General Assembly.  

Grain Belt Express is an entity of Invenergy, which is a regulated municipal utility in Kansas, Missouri and Indiana.

The development will seek to acquire land with fair compensation through mutual exchanged contracts with landowners, according to the company's website.   

“Grain Belt Express may seek to acquire an easement through eminent domain, but only as a last resort after exhausting all reasonable attempts at voluntary easement negotiation,” the website says. “Even under eminent domain, an easement grants rights within a certain parcel of land, but landowners still maintain ownership of their land and receive payment for the easement.”

A construction timeline has yet to be released but Invenergy reports that it will be subject to laws, permits and approvals in the proposed states, along with easement discussions and commercial negotiations.