Illinois 55+ Community Sues T5 Data Center Company Over 1.2 GW Project
Residents of a 55+ community in Grayslake, Illinois, have filed a lawsuit against T5 Data Center Company over a 1.2 GW AI hyperscale data center project. They express shock at the project's approval and construction beginning without community engagement, raising concerns about noise, water, and electricity rates. The lawsuit is scheduled for court in November.
Marion Eickhoff and Gabriela Appelt, residents of the Saddlebrook Farms 55+ community in Grayslake, Illinois, have filed a lawsuit against T5 Data Center Company regarding a 1.2-gigawatt AI hyperscale data center. The two women express shock and frustration that the massive project, involving 20 buildings across 472 acres and projected to include 600 diesel backup generators, was approved and construction began without direct engagement with the neighboring community.
The plaintiffs highlight concerns over the discrepancy between the project's scale and its "light industrial" zoning, as well as potential impacts on noise, local well water supplies, and electricity rate hikes from ComEd affecting residents on fixed incomes. They report difficulties in voicing concerns at board meetings due to shrinking speaking times. The lawsuit is scheduled to proceed to court in November, as the residents, backed by the Lake County IL Data Center Opposition Coalition, assert their fight is far from over.