Assuming AI Didn’t Juke the Stats, the Illinois’d Want Data Centers That Don’t Leak Out

A recent poll conducted by Global Strategy Group for the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition indicates overwhelming support among likely Illinois voters for stricter regulation of data centers. The survey, conducted in mid-March, found that 68 percent of voters would support legislation to minimize data centers' impact on utility bills, climate, and water, while still allowing construction. Notably, 56 percent of those opposing the legislation did so because they oppose any new data center construction at all, meaning 80 percent of voters either want guardrails or no new construction. The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition is championing the Protecting Our Water, Energy, and Ratepayers, or POWER, Act (Senate Bill 4016/House Bill 5513). Key provisions supported by voters include ensuring data centers pay their fair share of water infrastructure costs (96% support), requiring efficient cooling systems (93% support), prohibiting energy cost-shifting to consumers (91% support), and mandating data centers provide their own clean energy (91% support). Additionally, 92 percent want an analysis of health, water, and environmental impacts on vulnerable communities, and 97 percent desire mandatory reporting of water sourcing and usage. Public sentiment towards data centers, AI, and 'big tech companies' is largely unfavorable, with data centers receiving the lowest favorability at 30 percent. The Illinois House held a hearing on its version of the POWER Act, and the Senate held extensive hearings on AI-related bills. Amidst this, the Illinois Governor has proposed a two-year moratorium on state data-center-construction tax breaks, a move organized labor has asked him to reconsider, though the governor has stood by his proposal while offering a possibility for compromise.