Lawsuit against Joliet data center heading to court hearing
A court hearing has been set for September 8th in a lawsuit against a Joliet data center project. The lawsuit, filed by Joliet Residents For Responsible Growth, claims the city's rezoning approval was unconstitutional and violated state public notice and open meeting laws. Opponents are seeking to void the City Council's 8-1 vote that approved the annexation agreement for the 795-acre development.
A lawsuit challenging the rezoning and annexation approval for a $20 billion, 795-acre data center project in Joliet, Illinois, is scheduled for a court hearing on September 8. The nonprofit group Joliet Residents For Responsible Growth filed the lawsuit on May 18, seeking to void the Joliet City Council's 8-1 vote on March 19 that approved the annexation agreement.
The plaintiffs, including Joliet residents Felix Ortiz and Griselda Chavez, and unincorporated Elwood residents Craig and Rhonda Doorneweerd and Pedro Garcia, allege that the city violated state public notice and open meeting laws and denied "affected residents" due process rights during the approval process. They also contend that the rezoning of the property from agricultural to light industrial is unconstitutional, arguing it has no substantial relation to public health, safety, morals, or welfare.
Attorneys for the City of Joliet and the developers, Powerhouse Hillwood Holding, HW Technology Park Development, and American Real Estate Partners, have filed motions to dismiss the case. They argue that the public received fair notice, open meeting laws were not violated, and plaintiffs had no right to cross-examine witnesses at legislative hearings. The first motion hearing will be heard by Will County Judge Victoria Breslan.