Joliet OKs controversial 795-acre data center

The Joliet City Council voted 8-1 to approve a controversial 795-acre data center project, the Joliet Technology Center, which will be built over several years. The decision followed a contentious public hearing that lasted over six hours, where residents voiced concerns about the data center's impact on electricity availability and cost in the region. Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra was the lone dissenter, noting her district often receives unwanted projects. Developers Hillwood and PowerHouse Data Centers plan to begin construction in early 2027, with the first sub-campus expected by 2028 and full completion by 2032. The project, designed with four sub-campuses and 24 two-story buildings totaling over 6.9 million square feet, is projected to use 1.8 gigawatts of power. While project proponents stated that regional transmission organization PJM had no concerns about power availability, local residents like Craig Herr expressed worries about potential brownouts and rising electric bills. Mayor Terry D'Arcy and other council members emphasized the significant economic benefits, including an estimated $677 million in property taxes for Joliet Township High School District 204, $310 million in property taxes for Joliet, and an additional $100 million from Hillwood to the city. The project is also expected to create 7,000 to 10,000 construction jobs and 700 permanent high-paying jobs, with total generation of $2.1 billion for all taxing bodies over 30 years.