Chicago City Council could tackle data centers, rental ordinances Wednesday
The Chicago City Council is set to consider a proposed 12-month moratorium on new data center development and expansion. Mayor Brandon Johnson called for this pause to allow a task force to study the impacts of data centers on clean air, water, energy use, and residents' quality of life.
The Chicago City Council is scheduled to address a comprehensive agenda on Wednesday, which includes a significant proposal for a data center moratorium. Mayor Brandon Johnson has called for a 12-month pause on the development of new data centers and the material expansion of existing facilities within the city.
The proposed Data Center Moratorium Ordinance aims to provide the City's Data Centers Task Force, established by an August 2026 Executive Order, sufficient time to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework. This framework would address the various impacts of data centers, specifically focusing on concerns related to clean air, clean water, energy consumption, and the overall health and quality of life for Chicago residents. The ordinance is presented as a step towards modernizing the city's regulations and strengthening safeguards surrounding data center development.