In Yorkville, Democrats and Republicans are fighting three massive data centers, and it might be changing how they see each other
Residents in Yorkville, Illinois, are actively opposing the city's approval of three massive hyperscale data centers, citing environmental, noise, water, and electricity concerns. A bipartisan group has formed, staged protests, and filed two lawsuits to halt the projects. They express frustration with local government officials regarding their concerns.
Residents of Yorkville, Illinois, have formed a bipartisan group, Preserve Our Yorkville, to oppose the city's approval of three hyperscale data centers, including a project by CyrusOne, spanning over 25 million square feet on farmland. The group, which includes Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, is united by concerns over the data centers' impact on the environment, human and animal health due to infrasound and air pollution, and significant consumption of water and electricity.
The opposition is part of a broader trend across northern Illinois, with similar fights in communities like Joliet and Coal City. Dolly Flisk, co-owner of an equestrian center and a key member of Preserve Our Yorkville, highlighted the group's actions, which include staging protests, actively participating in city council meetings, and filing two lawsuits to stop the construction.
Group members, such as Shannon Wolowicz and Leesa Poss, emphasized that these issues transcend political affiliations, affecting everyone in the community. Poss recounted frustration with Mayor John Purcell and city council members for their perceived disinterest during public hearings. Caroline McCree, a Democrat running for the 75th District seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, has made data center opposition a cornerstone of her campaign, noting how the issue has fostered unexpected cross-party friendships within the group.