Jim Stahly Jr.

A panel on both sides of the data center debate answered questions for three hours Wednesday night as at least a couple hundred people listened intently.

Speaking to the group of well over 100, Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey emphasized that despite his loss to incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker four years ago, he thinks Illinois residents are ready for change wherever they live.

The McLean County Board approved a pair of facilities in the eastern part of the county that will store energy produced when demand is low, and distribute when need is high.

The proposal calls for a $35 million, 203,000-square-foot building on the Beaufort Street side of Uptown Circle, as well as a $25 million, 126,000-square-foot building on the North Street side.

The revisions are meant to curtail “camping-type activities, excessive amounts of personal property, unattended personal property, storage of personal property on site, blocking of access points and excessive occupation of waiting areas," according to a memo from city staff.

The no-interest loan will cover the village for taxes not collected in 2026. The village will repay the loan by collecting the missing money in 2027 along with the tax funds from this year.

The approval stops short of six-month moratoriums approved by Bloomington and Normal, but gives McLean County more stringent rules than most neighboring counties, officials said.

The zoning board's more detailed rules for data centers cover everything from infrastructure and lighting to power and water use.

The nonbinding ballot questions on data centers, arms sales and a 1% grocery tax telegraph voter sentiment in the upcoming election.

The Bloomington City Council is trying to bring a little more order into how amendments are brought into council votes, attempting to avoid confusion on what's being approved.