Battery storage rules: Illinois

Last checked against primary sources: October 27, 2026

Siting is local. In unincorporated areas, a county that has zoning sets the rules for battery storage over 1,000 kW (not storage that is part of a commercial solar or wind farm, or combustion technology), and state law (55 ILCS 5/5-12024, from Public Act 104-0458, in effect since June 1, 2026) sets what those rules contain and how far they may go; a county without zoning may not restrict these systems. Cities and villages zone under their own powers. There is no single statewide fire code for energy storage: the State Fire Marshal's rule adopts the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code as a minimum, and a community that has adopted fire safety standards equal to or higher than the state's enforces its own.

No statewide pause; state law limits county bans in farm and industrial zones

There is no statewide moratorium. The county law says a county "may not adopt zoning regulations that disallow, permanently or temporarily," these systems in districts zoned for agricultural or industrial uses. Cities and villages zone under their own powers, and at least one (West Chicago) has paused battery storage applications; ask yours. 55 ILCS 5/5-12024; West Chicago Ord. 26-O-0011

Fire and building codes in force

State Fire Marshal (41 Ill. Adm. Code 100): the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2015 edition, effective January 1, 2020, as the minimum; a community that has adopted fire safety standards equal to or higher than the state's enforces its own (41 Ill. Adm. Code 100.3(c)(2))
In county-zoned areas, the county law lets a county require NFPA 855 (the edition in effect June 1, 2026, or a later one at approval) and requires every battery to be listed to UL 1973 and UL 9540 (55 ILCS 5/5-12024)

How a project is permitted

Unincorporated land: the county's zoning, within the limits of 55 ILCS 5/5-12024 (a county without zoning may not restrict these systems). Inside a city or village: its own zoning; ask the planning office. Siting or special-use applications submitted to a county before June 1, 2026 are not covered by the state law. Ask: is the site in a city or village, or unincorporated county land? Does the county have a storage ordinance under the state law? Which fire code does the fire department enforce?

Setbacks and spacing

State law, in county-zoned areas: 150 ft from an occupied school, place of worship, early care and education facility, public library or community center, or a neighbour's occupied home; 50 ft to the property line of those buildings or of any neighbour's property not in the project; 50 ft from a public road right-of-way; measured from the nearest battery enclosure; the owner of each affected neighbouring property or home may waive them in writing. In a city or village, ask whether its zoning sets a setback. Fire / building code 55 ILCS 5/5-12024 (PA 104-0458, as amended by PA 104-0480)

Legislation

Public Act 104-0458 (SB 25): county zoning standards for energy storage (enacted): Approved January 8, 2026; effective June 1, 2026. Added 55 ILCS 5/5-12024. Counties had until September 29, 2026 to bring conflicting ordinances into line. ilga.gov, Public Act 104-0458

Storage in this place

EIA Form 860M (September 2026): batteries at 7 operating plants in Illinois totaling about 82 MW (plus one 20 MW plant listed as out of service), and 4 planned totaling about 160 MW.
The Illinois Power Agency's first storage procurement awarded contracts for 600 MW (approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission September 1, 2026), toward a state target of 3,000 MW by December 31, 2030 "or an alternative date proposed by the Agency."

Places within

Kane County, IL — energy storage zoning adopted September 2026
West Chicago, IL — moratorium on data centers and battery storage in all zoning districts (July 2026)

Sources

55 ILCS 5/5-12024 — county zoning of commercial energy storage facilities Illinois General Assembly
Public Act 104-0458 (SB 25) Illinois General Assembly
Illinois Power Agency — energy storage procurement Illinois Power Agency
State Fire Marshal — Life Safety Code Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal

Check a specific system

For a proposal or a system you're evaluating, answer a few questions in BESScheck: you get the rules that apply here, a checklist of what to ask, and the sources behind each line.