Energy consumption in the United Sates has been increasing and the cost of fossil fuels has been unstable in recent years. Expanding investment in renewable energy is one way to reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. However, the Not-In-My-Back- Yard (NIMBY) opposition and various concerns raised at public hearings may inhibit the expansion of wind energy in Illinois. This study aims to characterize the public beliefs and opinions toward wind energy in central Illinois.