Data centers a key issue in Illinois governor race
Data centers and their impact on electricity costs have become a major issue in the Illinois governor’s race. Gov. JB Pritzker previously approved tax incentives that helped attract at least 27 data centers, but paused new incentives as electricity bills rose; Republican candidate Darren Bailey says he would pause the program and require data center companies to provide their own power.
Data center development has emerged as a central issue in the Illinois gubernatorial campaign amid concerns about rising electricity bills and the growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Gov. JB Pritzker signed tax breaks in 2019 that helped attract at least 27 data centers and nearly $1 billion in incentives. In June, Pritzker paused new tax breaks for the industry.
Republican candidate Darren Bailey said he supports data centers but criticized Pritzker's policies, arguing that large facilities have received excessive tax abatements and placed additional pressure on taxpayers and the energy system. Bailey said he would pause further development incentives and wants data center and technology companies to provide their own electricity. The report noted that federal energy data contradict Bailey's claim that Illinois buys more power than it produces, although the state's surplus has not prevented electricity bills from increasing.