data centers

The project has drawn strong support from economic development officials, who foresee more property tax revenue, and organized labor, which would benefit from construction jobs. But it’s also brought out residents worried about the impact on utility costs and the environment.

The centers are considered the backbone of the internet, providing processing power for technology like AI and cloud computing. But they are also controversial.

Springfield is seeing job growth. Now a proposed data center could bring 500 construction jobs, $6.5M in taxes, and big debate over power and water. Here’s what it means.

The issue was tabled at the last meeting.

The board members listened to several speakers who urged a delay to further explore the proposal and to wait for potential new rules that could be enacted at the state level.

Commission calls the order an ‘important first step’ but initiates proceedings to dig deeper

Lawmakers, stakeholders, the governor and feds all have indicated they’re open to regulation

Lawmakers trying again to regulate industry as Pritzker moves to pause incentives

The report shows that without policy change, data centers will increase the state’s demand for electricity from outside Illinois, when historically, the state has been an exporter of electricity.

State-driven resource planning process will begin in 2026