Lake County board OKs unincorporated area data center moratorium
Lake County, Illinois, has enacted an eight-month moratorium on data center construction in unincorporated areas to allow time to research environmental and community impacts and establish new regulations. This decision was spurred by local opposition to the Grayslake T5 @ Chicago IV Data Center project, which is also facing a lawsuit challenging its permits and zoning ordinances. The moratorium takes effect immediately and can be extended or lifted early.
The Lake County board in Illinois has approved an eight-month moratorium on data center construction within its unincorporated areas, effective immediately and set to expire on May 11, 2027. This action, which amends Chapter 151 of the county's ordinance codes, aims to provide staff and committees with time to study the environmental and community impacts of data centers and develop a comprehensive regulatory framework, as the county's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) currently lacks specific definitions or regulations for such facilities.
District 8 County Board member Diane Hewitt emphasized that the moratorium allows for public input on future legislation. Lake County Board Chairperson Sandy Hart affirmed the eight-month period, with a potential four-month extension, as legally defensible. The moratorium can also be lifted sooner if guidelines are established.
The decision follows significant local opposition, particularly against the Grayslake T5 @ Chicago IV Data Center, an 800,000-square-foot facility planned by Atlanta-based T5 Data Centers. Residents in Grayslake have displayed placards, and citizen coalitions have emerged, citing concerns about the project's scope and potential long-term impacts.
In response to these concerns, a lawsuit was filed on June 13 in Lake County Circuit Court, seeking an injunction to halt the Grayslake project, alleging public hearing malfeasance and violations of Grayslake's zoning ordinances. Grayslake Village Administrator Chase Muscato confirmed that while the village was not formally served, they have responded to the litigation with a pending motion to dismiss. He also noted that T5 Data Centers has received permits for its first building, and construction is underway.