Joliet now says city planner Bernhard involvement in data center planning was ‘clerical’

Joliet officials are facing scrutiny over the extent of Planning Director Jayne Bernhard's involvement in a controversial 795-acre data center project. Bernhard's family members, including her father, hold a financial interest in the farmland earmarked for the project, which is slated for annexation into Joliet from Jackson Township and would be developed by Hillwood and PowerHouse Data Centers. Initially, city officials, including Community Development Director Dustin Anderson and spokeswoman Ann Sylvester, stated that Bernhard had "no involvement at all" and "has not been involved with conversations regarding the project." However, members of The Watershed Committee, a Will County organization, presented emails at recent public hearings indicating Bernhard's participation. One email from city planner Ray Heitner specifically acknowledged incorporating "additional talking points and edits with Jayne’s help" into an initial staff report on the project. In response to these revelations, Sylvester revised the city's stance, stating that Bernhard’s "engagement in any communications was clerical in nature and did not involve any evaluating or advancing the proposal." She reiterated that Bernhard had recused herself from substantive involvement due to her family's financial ties. However, Jeff Becker of The Watershed Committee argued that any involvement, even clerical, was inappropriate, asserting, "She shouldn’t do absolutely anything." The city maintains Bernhard has no significant decision-making role, while the Watershed Committee continues to challenge the city's position.