Oakwood Hills residents voice concern over proposed power plant

OAKWOOD HILLS, Ill. (WLS) -- A controversial plan over a proposed power plant closed down Oakwood Hills' village government last month. On Thursday night, a village meeting had to be moved to Crystal Lake to a location big enough to handle the crowd.

Oakwood Hills is a village in McHenry County with just 2,000 people. More than 120 citizens showed up at the meeting, concerned that a $450 million power plant will be built in their community.

"We are not a bunch of thugs, bullies, liars and gossips - as we have been referred to - but are concerned residents of Oakwood Hills," said Rosie Riley, resident.

Although it's not on Thursday night's agenda, residents are concerned that the village will approve plans to build a massive power plant in this field. Transparency is an issue.

"Have you folks met? Have you met in secret? What have you done - created a police state for us?" said Regina Narusis, resident.

The issue has been so contentious that the village hall was shut down for nearly a month after board members reportedly received threats - an issue the police chief declined to talk about Thursday.

But the police presence was obvious as officers used hand-held detectors and checked bags - and residents are not finished fighting.

"It's been a black hole, we have no idea what is going on with the board, and that's probably what is driving most of the concern," said Ryan Noonan, who opposes the power plant.

The village president declined to talk to Eyewitness News Thursday night, and during the meeting, she did not address specific concerns about the power plant.

The village board is expected to take up the power plant issue next month.