Illinois Data Center Siting Debate

Summary

• Illinois remains the main policy battleground, with lawmakers, mayors, and residents debating how much control local governments should have over data center siting and operations.
• The proposed POWER Act and related bills would shift more costs and disclosures onto developers, especially for electricity infrastructure, water use, wastewater handling, and community agreements.
• Local opposition is strongest around projects proposed near homes, schools, and farmland, where residents raise concerns about land use, transparency, and neighborhood impacts.
• Utilities and local officials are treating large-load growth as a planning issue, with ComEd projections showing that queued projects could sharply increase peak demand by 2040.
• Several local governments are moving from informal review to explicit standards, including Aurora's ordinance requirements and Bloomington's public forum process.
• Economic benefits remain part of the debate, especially property taxes, utility revenue, and construction activity, but they are increasingly weighed against long-term infrastructure and environmental costs.
• Indiana shows a parallel pattern of rising pushback, with emissions permits for diesel backup generators becoming a focal point for moratorium demands and public concern.