Moratorium passes, but concerns about impact remain
The Morgan County Commission unanimously extended its data center moratorium for six months, until April 26, while it considers residents' concerns and whether county code should be amended. Commissioners disagreed over whether to begin developing local restrictions immediately or wait for possible action by the Illinois General Assembly.
The Morgan County Commission in Illinois extended its data center moratorium for another six months, with the pause now scheduled to expire April 26. The resolution prevents the county from acting on data center requests while officials gather information and consider potential amendments to county code.
Commissioners Michael Woods, Michael Wankel and Donny "Racer" Wood differed over how actively the county should use the moratorium period. Woods called for public meetings and immediate work on local restrictions, while Wankel and Wood favored waiting to see whether the Illinois General Assembly establishes limits on county authority. Residents largely supported the extension, though the meeting also featured disputes over public comment procedures and ongoing complaints filed with the Illinois Public Access Counselor.