Gov Pritzker open to ‘fair’ data center development, OKs local moratoriums
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is open to data center development across the state, provided that companies bear the costs of their projects, including power and taxes. This stance follows the failure of the POWER Act, legislation he supported that aimed to heavily restrict data center development. The Data Center Coalition opposed the bill, arguing it would hinder economic growth.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has indicated his support for data center development within the state, but only on the condition that corporations fully cover the associated impacts, specifically citing power consumption and taxes. These remarks came after a legislative effort to introduce significant restrictions on new data centers across Illinois, known as the POWER Act, failed to gain sufficient traction in the General Assembly.
The Governor had previously urged lawmakers to pass the POWER Act. However, the Data Center Coalition, an industry group, vocally opposed the bill last month, with representative Brad Tietz testifying that such legislation would severely impede economic development in Illinois. Despite Governor Pritzker's advocacy, the POWER Act was ultimately tabled, although there are expectations that attempts to revive it may occur during the upcoming fall veto session.