A group fighting a mega dairy farm for Jo Davies county gets support Friday from Illinois' second in command. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn gave an "environmental hero" award to a citizens group caled HOMES, protesting the project near the headwaters of the Apple River in Nora.
A California company wants to build the farm there with around 5,600 cows. But residents fear ground and river water contamination from animal waste. Their fight so far has brought a preliminary injunction against this proposed farm, meaning the developer can't operate anything until the group's legal challeneg ends in court.
"Building a large mega dairy with thousands of cows in an area, a very fragile environment close to the drinking water of many people, that's just too dangerous," Quinn said.
Supporters of the mega dairy farm say eliminiating the project eliminates good jobs for the region.