Joliet approves first step for massive data center development

The Joliet City Council has approved the conditional annexation of 795 acres of farmland on the city's east side for a massive data center campus, a crucial initial step towards what would become Illinois's largest data center. This multi-phase project is expected to begin construction on its first building in 2028, eventually encompassing up to 24 buildings. City officials anticipate substantial benefits from the development, including billions of dollars in property tax revenue over 30 years, 700 new full-time jobs, and up to 10,000 construction jobs. Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty emphasized that the annexation agreement establishes clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits, ensuring responsible project progression and significant financial gains for local taxing bodies. However, the project faces considerable opposition from local residents. Concerns were raised about the data center's potential to deplete Joliet's underground water sources for cooling, strain the electrical grid, and increase utility bills. Residents also expressed worries about noise pollution. Several speakers at the council meeting urged a postponement of the vote until they could receive assurances addressing these environmental and quality-of-life impacts, with one speaker stating, "They're going to use us up... They're gonna take everything they can, and they are going to use it against us."