City of Joliet approves plans for what could be the largest data center in Illinois

The Joliet City Council in Illinois overwhelmingly approved plans on Thursday for the Joliet Technology Center, an approximately 795-acre data center proposed to be built on farmland near Rowell and Bernhard Roads. This project, which could become the largest data center in Illinois, is comparable in size to New York's Central Park. The approval followed months of public debate and a marathon council meeting on Monday night where residents voiced concerns regarding potential impacts on water usage, electricity demands, noise, and traffic. Craig Doorneweerd, a resident living near the proposed site, expressed fears about property value depreciation, while DiAnn Matter indicated a loss of trust in the city after the decision. Despite public opposition, the council voted 8-1 in favor of the plan, with District 5 Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra casting the sole dissenting vote, citing "risk, uncertainty, and too many unanswered questions." Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy and City Manager Beth Beatty supported the project, with Beatty stating that the "annexation agreement sets clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits" and promises "substantial new revenue for local taxing bodies and long-term financial benefits for the community," including an estimated $2.1 billion in local tax revenue over 30 years and hundreds of jobs. While the project is poised to begin construction early next year, no specific tech companies have yet committed to the site. The Joliet Technology Center's approval contrasts with recent rejections of data center proposals in nearby Lisle and Naperville, making it the largest data center currently on track in Illinois, though a 1,000-acre site in Yorkville, Kendall County, could potentially surpass it.