Little Rock Township Reclaims the “Power of the People” By Prohibiting Commercial Solar and Wind Facilities
By Michael Krempski
In a powerful demonstration of local governance, the People of Little Rock Township in Kendall County, Illinois, convened a special meeting on June 26, 2025. During this historic gathering, they passed Resolution No. 2025-06-26, enacting an ordinance to prohibit commercial wind and solar energy facilities on public and commercial property. This decisive action, rooted in the collective will of the People within the Township, represents a significant assertion of fundamental legal principles, particularly those enshrined in the state constitutions and long-established maxims of law that affirm the People's inherent political power. The meeting was organized and led by the People themselves through a lawful process. Little Rock Township resident Michael Burnett was appointed moderator of the meeting. They confirmed that in America, especially in Illinois, all political power comes from the People. The Illinois Constitution states, in Article I, Section 1, “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” [1]
The People of Little Rock Township assert that on July 1, 1971, the Kendall County Board of Supervisors dissolved itself and reorganized into a "county board" elected from "districts" without the required consent of the People through a referendum. This, they argue, violates Article VII, Sections 3(b) and 5 of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, which mandates a referendum for such changes. They contend that Kendall County was lawfully established in 1849 as a "county under township" government that was fortified by the Illinois Constitution of 1870, which explicitly prohibited the General Assembly from interfering in township and county affairs and specifically for “Providing for the election of members of the board of supervisors in township." [2] Therefore, they hold that the 1971 change lacked constitutional legitimacy, rendering the current county board without lawful existence.
Dina Wisniewski, a resident of Little Rock Township, expressed her thoughts on a profound truth that has ignited a spark of hope and empowerment within her community. Her words encapsulate a revelation that could help people understand the relationship between the People and their local government. She said, “As one of the People of Little Rock Township, I am thrilled and amazed to have recently learned the fundamental authority the People have in a 'county under township' form of government that was improperly changed. This has been concealed for decades!” Her message transcends partisan divides, emphasizing that this is not a matter of political affiliation but rather a return to constitutional principles. The Constitution, as Wisniewski points out, was "ordained by the People," underscoring the inherent power the People hold in shaping their government. In her view, this rediscovery is primarily about safeguarding fundamental rights and ensuring that the government truly serves its constituents, rather than becoming beholden to "corporate interests that harm our property and community." Wisniewski's statement renewed a sense of unity and collective action. By understanding and adhering to constitutional principles, the community of Little Rock Township has "rediscovered their ability to stand as a united community to protect our Township’s way of life," Wisniewski added. This realization has instilled a powerful hope for the future, demonstrating that an informed and engaged populace can reclaim its rightful place in governance and shape its destiny. Her powerful testimony serves as a rallying cry for communities everywhere to investigate the true nature of their local governance, ensuring that power truly resides where it was intended: with the people.
Little Rock Township Special Meeting, June 26, 2025
"As a Little Rock Township trustee, I am a servant of the People," declares Jonathan Henderson, a sentiment that underpins his entire philosophy in office. His commitment, as he articulates, is rooted in serving the community, safeguarding their "God-given unalienable rights," and protecting their property—all in strict adherence to the Constitution. Henderson firmly believes that if the will of the people is constitutional, it is not his place to obstruct it. "The Constitution denies me any power to hinder their efforts to protect our community and their property values," he states, emphasizing the limited scope of his authority in the face of constitutional action by the People. He further points out a critical observation regarding governmental structure: "It very much appears that Kendall County is supposed to be subordinate to townships, not the state general assembly, a truth that the People uncovered after decades of unconstitutional practice." This highlights a historical overreach and a renewed focus on local governance. Henderson’s "sworn duty" compels him to listen to the people, provided they are operating within the bounds of the law. He issues a direct challenge to anyone who might disagree: "Unless someone can show me under penalty of perjury, that our county UNDER township form was changed by a referendum, of the People, as required by the constitution, I'll be listening to them." For Henderson, the power of his trustee position is directly derived from the people, and he intends to honor that promise.
For several months, the People sent notices and eventually affidavits, along with proof of their claims, to the Kendall County Board, highlighting their discovery of a constitutional violation. When these notices went unchallenged, the People proceeded with a special township meeting, asserting their inherent political power, which is derived from the People, as stated in the Illinois Constitution. According to legal maxims, unrebutted claims are considered true if not disputed by a counter affidavit and must be accepted as true by a court. The People followed the proper frame and form of law, using notices to address any historical mistakes.
Little Rock Township Building, 611 W. Main Street, Plano, Illinois 60545
Little Rock Township Trustee Josh McElroy voiced strong support for the People's actions, emphasizing his role as a representative of their will. "As a township trustee, I serve as a trustee of the People, who hold all political power in this nation," McElroy stated. He continued, "I have no authority to impede their will to safeguard their community and property, as affirmed by the Illinois Constitution and the fundamental law. Their rights are enumerated, and we [Little Rock Township Board] can't touch them. Even if that's what government has been doing, I can't." McElroy highlighted the unrefuted evidence provided by the People: "The People have provided the proof, by notice and affidavit, that this county is supposed to be under township form of government. Unless or until someone can show me where this was changed, per the Constitution, by referendum, I'm duty bound by my oath and the trust the people put in me. I'm not willing to go against the Constitution that the people wrote as the highest law of this land."
The resolution and ordinance are rooted in the township's commitment to preserving its "healthful environment," rural character, and property rights. While prohibiting commercial wind and solar facilities on public and commercial land, the ordinance allows for case-by-case exemptions for non-commercial energy production, provided it doesn't harm neighboring private property rights. The ordinance clarifies that the Illinois Constitution protects private installations on private property from government regulations. Section 3 of the ordinance states, “Any government entity shall not use this ordinance as a basis for asserting constructive jurisdiction over the private property of the People.”
The People of Little Rock Township view this as an act of self-governance and a reclamation of power that they believe was unlawfully usurped by the State and the County Board. They cite legal maxims such as "The welfare of the people is the supreme law" and "An unconstitutional Act is not a law." They also declare that any prior zoning approvals by the Kendall County Board for commercial energy facilities are "void ab initio." The resolution and ordinance close by stating that the Township stands ready to defend its constitutional autonomy, except where authority has been expressly granted to the General Assembly through the due process of law, and highlight that government agents are “servants and trustees” accountable to the People.
Michael Burnett, Little Rock Township Appointed Special Meeting Moderator - June 26, 2025
This action sets a precedent, raising questions about how many other Illinois counties may have been unlawfully restructured and the extent of the General Assembly’s overreach in the past 54 years. Such changes may have enabled government encroachment, threatening Illinois farmland with sprawling commercial projects. Little Rock Township’s stand offers a model for communities to rediscover their reserved powers to protect their land, liberty, and posterity.
The People of Little Rock Township passed Resolution No. 2025-06-26 by a vote of 45 in favor and 1 abstention. The ordinance is effective immediately and will be distributed to the Illinois General Assembly, the Governor, the Kendall County Board, the City of Plano, and residents upon request.
Endnotes
[1] "Illinois Constitution," accessed June 27, 2025, https://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/conent.htm.
[2] “Constitution of the State of Illinois: adopted and ratified 1870,” accessed June 27, 2025, http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/isl2/id/396/
Library of Congress, “Little Rock Township,” accessed June 27, 2025, https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4103km.gla00027/?sp=6