Mayor Johnson, City Council Members Introduce Data Center Moratorium Ordinance
Mayor Brandon Johnson and several City Council members have introduced a Data Center Moratorium Ordinance in Chicago. This ordinance proposes a 12-month pause on new data center developments and expansions to allow the city to create a comprehensive regulatory framework. The Data Centers Task Force will utilize this time to develop long-term policies addressing environmental impacts and quality of life for residents.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside Ald. Maria Hadden (49th Ward), Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward), and Ald. Lamont J. Robinson (4th Ward), has introduced the Data Center Moratorium Ordinance. This proposed legislation aims to temporarily halt the development of new data centers and the significant expansion of existing facilities within the city.
The 12-month moratorium is designed to provide the City’s Data Centers Task Force, which was established by Mayor Johnson’s August 2026 Executive Order, with sufficient time to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for data centers. The task force will build upon research and recommendations from the Sustainable Data Centers Working Group.
The primary goal of this regulatory development is to address the various impacts of data centers on key areas such as clean air, clean water, energy consumption, and the overall health and quality of life for Chicago residents. During the moratorium, the task force will actively work on formulating long-term policies.