Sauk Valley-area residents demand more data center regulations, moratorium in Lee County
Lee County, Illinois, residents are demanding stricter regulations and a moratorium on data center developments due to concerns over noise, water, and electricity usage. A large crowd attended a Lee County Board meeting, presenting a petition with nearly 3,000 signatures against data centers. Officials stated no formal proposals are currently pending, but residents are pushing for amendments to existing zoning ordinances and a temporary halt on future projects.
A significant crowd gathered at the Lee County Board room to advocate for more stringent regulations and a moratorium on data center developments in the Sauk Valley area. The renewed anti-data center movement was sparked by a now-removed real-estate listing on the Lee County Industrial Development Association's (LCIDA) website, which advertised a 387-acre property as "prime data center development land."
Residents voiced serious concerns about the potential negative impacts of data centers, particularly those supporting generative AI, citing issues such as constant noise pollution leading to chronic sleep deprivation, insomnia, and headaches. A major point of contention was the substantial energy and water consumption required by these facilities, which residents fear would drastically increase utility bills for local citizens, especially those on fixed incomes. Concerns were also raised about the long-term liability for the county if large corporations abandon these sites.
Marshall Doane, a Rock Falls Alderman, initiated a change.org petition against data centers, collecting 2,889 signatures, which he presented to the board. Despite Lee County officials stating they have no formal proposals for data centers on the property, residents like Ryan Latvaitis of Dixon emphasized that public concern is legitimate and not premature. Latvaitis proposed seven specific amendments to the county's technology overlay zoning district, advocating for a ban on non-disclosure agreements, mandatory disclosure of water usage, requirements for companies to contribute to power infrastructure costs, and specific decibel limits for noise. He also requested a public workshop within 60 days to discuss these amendments.
In a related development, Harley R. Delander of Dixon faces charges of intimidation, stalking, and cyberstalking for allegedly threatening LCIDA Executive Director Tom Demmer over the data center issue. Lee County Board Chairman Bob Olson acknowledged the residents' concerns and stated that the board would discuss the matter at the next services committee meeting scheduled for July 14 at the Old Lee County Courthouse in Dixon.