Champaign County group rallying against data centers hosts second information session
A group called Resist AI Data Centers in Champaign County held its second information session, organizing against data center development. Champaign County currently has an enacted moratorium on data center development until April next year, during which a task force is developing new guidelines. The group aims to educate residents and encourage participation in task force meetings, while the county explores legal options given its non-home rule status.
The Resist AI Data Centers in Champaign County group, formed last month, conducted its second public information session on Monday night. Antonia Herbstreit, a co-founder, stated the group's objective is to disseminate information and educate residents about the potential impacts of the data center industry on their way of life.
Champaign County currently has an enacted moratorium on data center development, set to expire in April of next year. During this period, a Data Center Activities Task Force is meeting to establish new guidelines for future development. Herbstreit hopes the group's efforts will encourage more public input at task force and county government meetings. She expressed frustration with the lack of direct responses to public questions at previous task force meetings.
Michelle Jett, Director of Administration for the Champaign County Executive’s Office, clarified that as a non-home rule county, Champaign County lacks the legal authority to outright ban businesses like data centers. The current year-long moratorium is permissible due to its specific timeframe and intent to create an ordinance. While the group had considered proposing a ballot issue to establish home rule for the county, they have since dropped the idea. The task force is expected to review the final draft of new guidelines on August 31.