Wind turbines coming to Prairie Stone

Off-track betting parlors aren't the only thing Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone Business Park is good for.

The village board on Monday approved the installation of four wind turbines on top of a parking deck at the Sears Holdings offices at 3333 Beverly Road. The turbines will be about 20 feet tall and 6 feet wide and safe for birds and even bats.

Sears officials could not estimate on how much money from reduced electricity usage will be saved. The turbines will be used primarily to power the garage's light fixtures, with excess power returning to the main power grid.

Greg Strzalkowski from Sears said the turbines would generate 5 decibels of sound, which he added is "quite low." The HelixWind turbines have a 30-year life span. If other companies want to add turbines, just like any other site plan alterations, they would have to come before the village board for approval.