County pledges data center moratorium extension amid chaotic meeting that sees three ejected
The Morgan County Commission pledged to extend its six-month moratorium on data center construction for another six months at a future meeting. The decision came during a tense meeting in which three attendees were ejected and residents called for Commission Chairman Michael Wankel to resign.
The Morgan County Commission in Illinois unanimously agreed to extend its six-month data center construction moratorium at its next meeting, although the extension had not yet been formally enacted. Residents largely supported continuing the pause, citing potential impacts on infrastructure, electricity and water if data center development comes to the county.
The meeting was overshadowed by disputes over public comment rules. Chairman Michael Wankel ordered three attendees removed after arguments over whether they could speak about unrelated tax-exemption concerns, prompting criticism and a call from Commissioner Michael Woods for Wankel's resignation. The commission is also under review by the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor for a possible Open Meetings Act violation at an earlier meeting.