Joliet approves new data center

The Joliet City Council on Thursday approved plans for a new 795-acre data center, which is set to become the largest such facility in Illinois. This decision followed a special meeting held to vote on the issue, after a previously scheduled vote at Monday's city council meeting was delayed due to an extended public comment period. The approved plan involves Joliet annexing 795 acres of farmland to develop the large data center campus. Advocates for the project anticipate that it will generate hundreds of new jobs, though local residents also expressed opposition to the proposal during public commentary.