06/23/2026
The founding of this organization is about giving communities a lawful, organized way to respond to major land-use, infrastructure, surveillance, utility, and public-interest decisions before they are already decided for us.
Right now, hyperscale data centers, industrial-scale energy projects, transmission buildout, and public surveillance systems are the issues bringing people to the table.
That is why we are forming the board. That is why we need the 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4).
So we can educate, organize, fundraise, retain legal counsel, support public participation, and turn our community boundary into lawful action.
At some point, every one of us moves from asking who is going to do it to deciding whether we will help build it ourselves. We people willing to this from the - If you’re reading this and thinking, “I could help with that,” I’d encourage you to reach out
📧 [email protected]
🐝 GOOD MORNING, ILLINOIS POLLINATORS! 🌾
I wanted to give everyone an update on where we are and where we’re headed next.
First, we have secured legal representation!
🥳🎉⚖️🗽
Now we are beginning the process of establishing both a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4) for Open Field Coalition FORWARD and forming our founding board.
Why?
Because we need a consistent approach to our organized chaos.
The relationships are here, the work is here; Now we need the structure that allows us to steward both well.
A 501(c)(3) helps communities .
Think public records, FOIAs, research, maps, fact sheets, educational materials, community meetings, and helping neighbors understand issues that affect their lives.
A 501(c)(4) helps communities .
Think organizing, advocacy, public participation, contacting officials, following legislation, and coordinating community response.
One helps us learn + One helps us act = Both help us do this and .
To forward, we need people willing to serve in the roles required to build and steward our grassroots organizations:
🍯 Hive Builders
• Chair / President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Board Members
🐝🐝 As well as people willing to help with fundraising, communications, outreach, compliance, operations, research, and organizational development.
We are also looking for:
🐝🐝 County Keepers; People who help keep relationships alive, information moving, and communities connected.
Healthy communities need people willing to help keep watch, keep learning, keep sharing, and keep neighbors connected.
And yes…
🐝 We are all pollinators.
Every person who asks questions, attends meetings, shares information, volunteers, researches, teaches, learns, donates, organizes, or helps a neighbor is already helping pollinate the field.
This is the Illinois Open Field Coalition FORWARD page was launched.
Many of us found one another through data centers and development projects, but what we building is broader than a data center fight.
… what are building is:
••> A way for communities to learn from one another.
••> A way for neighbors to find neighbors.
••> A way for information, resources, skills, and support to move across county lines before a crisis arrives.
Together, now, we are building the structure that helps steward both.
Those of us “here now” came together organically. By happen chance over our shared crisis.
⏩ Now we invite intentionally.
County by county.
Relationship by relationship.
Skill by skill.
If you’ve been reading records, attending meetings, helping neighbors, sharing information, asking questions, organizing, teaching, researching, connecting people, or simply wondering where you fit into all of this, I hope you’ll consider helping us build what comes next.
We are already here, our hive has been formed. Now we build the structure that helps keep it healthy.
📧: [email protected]
Please include:
👤 Name
📍 County
📞 Contact Information
🐝 Skills, Experience, or Interests
🌾 Where you feel called to help
For the People • For the Land • For the Future
