Bailey weighs in on estate tax, data centers, ag economy
Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey criticized current Illinois policies regarding data center development and energy, advocating for more local control and stricter regulations. He linked data center expansion to rising energy costs and argued for common-sense siting rules similar to agricultural operations. Bailey believes local governments should have the authority to regulate data center placement and environmental impacts.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey addressed issues pertinent to Illinois' agricultural community, including data centers and energy policy, during the Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable. Bailey, a third-generation farmer and former state legislator, criticized current state policies that he believes lead to unchecked data center growth and contribute to rising energy costs.
Bailey specifically pointed to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) for prematurely phasing out reliable energy sources, which he connected to the doubling energy bills in areas served by Ameren and ComEd. He stated that the state "didn't really understand what they were" when data centers began to arrive, implying a lack of foresight or action from the current administration.
He argued that under Governor JB Pritzker and the Democrats, current law allows data centers to be built almost anywhere in the state, bypassing essential local regulations. Bailey advocated for a return to local control, asserting that local governments should be empowered to impose regulations such as "nutrient management plans" and "setbacks" for data centers, similar to those required for livestock producers. He suggested that data centers could be sited on less productive land, such as "retired coal mine ground," to minimize impact. Bailey emphasized the need for common-sense policies to attract businesses back to Illinois and alleviate financial burdens on residents and farmers.