Data Center

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 POWER Act, an expansive bill to regulate data centers, will not pass the General Assembly this spring, but the bill’s leaders say the measure isn’t dead and negotiations will continue through the summer.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen doesn't want to block data centers from coming to Illinois. He also doesn't want them arriving without conditions. He's worried some data center developers will try to cut corners to get there.

Normal City Manager Pam Reece said the Federal Railroad Administration has assured the town it's OK with the delay.

The Normal Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on the development of data centers. Bloomington City Council members appear ready to do the same next week.

Data centers may have a big geographical footprint, but they don't necessarily use a lot of water compared to other industrial facilities. WGLT gathered some data to help put data center water use in context, based on what's been approved in Joliet between here and Chicago.

Town staff say data centers present “distinct challenges and impacts” that the town’s land-use regulations are not currently built to address.

The council’s monthly nonvoting meeting at 6 p.m. Monday will mark the first time the council has planned to consider policy on data centers since it hosted two public meetings earlier this month.

Environmental advocates continue to pressure lawmakers to require more transparency about data centers’ water and energy use as the legislative session creeps toward the finish line.