Data Center

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.

McLean County government plans to consider new data center guidelines that would be the toughest in the state. Lea Cline, who chairs the county board's land use committee, said she proposed the new rules because she's not convinced state lawmakers are going to adopt any restrictions soon.

Some Illinois mayors say data centers have worked miracles in their towns while others question whether the benefits overcome the downsides — and whether the benefits are as good as advertised.

“They’re going to try to give us anything to look at other than the gas approaching $5 a gallon,” U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen said during a visit to Normal this week.

At Wednesday's forum, only one resident spoke in favor of a data center. The other 24 people raised concerns over water use, pollution, land use and transparency from the city.

Data centers are getting a lot of attention in Bloomington. In Normal, not so much — both in inquiries by business and concerns from the public.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin doesn't think the current version of the Farm Bill will fly. During a news conference in Normal, he said the House version will not get his vote.