Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signs executive order for data center moratorium
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order calling for a moratorium on data center construction and expansion in the city. This action aligns with a growing sentiment among politicians seeking restrictions and national guidelines for data center development.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order on August 11, 2026, initiating a pause on data center construction and expansion within the city. The order was signed at Northerly Island, with Cheryl Johnson, daughter of environmental activist Hazel Johnson, and other local officials present.
This move by Mayor Johnson reflects a broader trend among politicians, transcending party lines, who are advocating for restrictions and moratoriums on new data center construction until national guidelines are established.
The WBEZ Chicago article underscores how data centers have emerged as a contentious issue in the current election cycle, prompting increased scrutiny and calls for regulatory action.