Why labor & business groups are teaming up to fight Chicago's data center ban | The Chicago Report
Labor unions and business groups are organizing to oppose Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed one-year moratorium on new data centers. They argue the pause could cost jobs and investment, while city officials and community advocates say a temporary ban is needed to establish safeguards for health, air, water and energy impacts.
Operating Engineers Local 150 Executive Director Marc Poulos said labor and business groups plan to fight Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed one-year moratorium on new data centers in Chicago. Poulos argued that a blanket pause would threaten construction jobs, innovation and investment while the city faces a projected budget shortfall. He said labor is willing to consider targeted regulations but opposes applying new restrictions retroactively to projects already approved or nearing completion, including a data center planned for the Illinois Medical District.
The discussion comes as McHenry County considers a yearlong ban and Lake County has enacted an eight-month prohibition on data center development in incorporated areas. Chicago Alderman Bill Conway has proposed stricter zoning rules as an alternative to a full moratorium, while other council members have discussed distinguishing hyperscale facilities from smaller edge centers. Poulos said existing utility and market requirements already address some infrastructure concerns, but community advocates continue to raise questions about data centers’ health, air, water and power impacts.