Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signs executive order regulating data centers
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order regulating data centers, establishing a Data Centers Task Force to develop a long-term strategy. The order aims to prevent unchecked development from straining the city's water supply, increasing energy costs, and compromising community health. One of the task force's initial actions will be to advance legislation for a temporary moratorium on new and existing data centers.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order aimed at regulating data centers within the city. The order establishes a new Data Centers Task Force, which is charged with developing and implementing a long-term strategy for data center development.
Mayor Johnson emphasized the city's commitment to preventing unchecked development that could strain Chicago's water supply, drive up energy costs for residents, or negatively impact community health. As a key initial step, the task force is directed to advance legislation that would establish a temporary moratorium on the construction of new data centers and the expansion of existing facilities. Chicago currently hosts approximately 39 data centers.