Aurora passes some of the strongest data center regulations in Illinois

The Aurora City Council in Illinois recently passed a comprehensive set of new ordinances aimed at regulating future data center developments within its city limits. These regulations are considered some of the most protective nationally, coming after a 180-day moratorium on new projects was put in place last fall. Key aspects of the new rules include lower maximum sound levels, mandatory sound level studies, and resource consumption reports for prospective data centers. The city also formalized its definition of data centers and updated zoning standards, requiring City Council approval for all new data center projects. Alison Lindburg, director of sustainability for the city, stated the moratorium allowed staff to research best practices and gather public input, aiming to ensure data centers are responsible neighbors and to strike a balance between development and community concerns. During the six-month moratorium, residents voiced significant concerns regarding noise, high electricity costs, air and water pollution, heavy water usage, and a lack of transparency in the development process, as well as issues related to artificial intelligence. Following the passage of these new regulations, the council further extended the moratorium on new data centers for an additional 30 days. Aurora currently hosts five operational data centers, with five more in various stages of development.