Pritzker Isn’t Pursuing Data Moratorium in Illinois
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has stated he will not pursue a statewide moratorium on new data centers, despite Chicago's mayor advocating for a city-level pause. Pritzker awaits legislative action on the POWER Act, which proposes stricter development rules related to energy use and local impact. The Governor emphasizes the importance of community input, citing increasing scrutiny over data centers' power demands, water use, and neighborhood effects.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced his decision not to pursue a statewide moratorium on new data center developments. This stance comes even as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson advocates for a pause in data center construction within the city.
The Governor stated he is waiting for state lawmakers to address the proposed POWER Act after the November election. This legislation aims to establish more stringent regulations for data center development, including oversight concerning energy consumption and local community impacts. Pritzker emphasized the importance of community involvement in determining where these facilities are located.
Data centers have faced increasing scrutiny due to their significant power demands, water usage, and general effects on surrounding neighborhoods.