State Rep. Davis of Yorkville says local residents should decide data centers through referendum
Illinois State Rep. Jed Davis has introduced legislation (HB 5755) to require public referendums for data center approvals, aiming to give local residents the final say on such projects. This move follows strong opposition and multiple lawsuits filed by Yorkville residents against three large data center campuses approved by the city. Davis's bill, along with the proposed POWER Act, seeks to address resident concerns over environmental impacts, quality of life, and the transparency of data center developments.
State Representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) has introduced House Bill 5755 in the Illinois General Assembly, proposing that local residents should have the final say on data center construction through public referendums. This mechanism would be triggered if 15% or more of recent voters sign a petition. Davis's initiative, though not yet advanced, is aimed at empowering communities and ensuring their voices are heard regarding projects with significant local impact on infrastructure and quality of life.
The push for referendums stems from widespread opposition in Yorkville, where a poll indicated nearly 90% of residents in School District 115 oppose data center development, despite potential tax revenues. This local sentiment arose after the City of Yorkville approved three large data center campuses—the 1,034-acre Project Cardinal, the 540-acre Project Steel, and a 228-acre CyrusOne campus—which collectively involve the construction of 39 data center warehouses. Residents have voiced concerns about noise, light, environmental pollution, diminished quality of life, and property values, and have filed lawsuits to halt Project Cardinal and Project Steel.
Davis's bill is part of a broader focus within the General Assembly on data center regulation, which also includes the proposed House Bill 5513, known as the POWER Act. The POWER Act, which currently has Democratic sponsors and is stalled but has sizable support, aims to establish comprehensive environmental, water, and energy regulations for hyperscale data centers. It would also mandate cumulative impact assessments on utility bills, prohibit non-disclosure agreements, and create a compensation fund for negatively impacted residents. While Davis acknowledges the POWER Act's public notice requirements, he argues it does not go far enough to ensure residents have the ultimate decision-making power, advocating for a direct vote on such impactful developments.