After legislation to heavily restrict the development of new data centers across Illinois failed to progress in the legislature, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signaled he is more than open to projects – but only if corporations pay for the impacts the developments bring.
Pritzker said Monday he isn’t against data center developments in Illinois, but said project developers should pay for their own power and taxes, reiterating his previous statements on the matter.
The comment reflects a bill that he urged the General Assembly to get over the finish line, known as the POWER Act, which ultimately failed to get the required traction needed to pass.
The Data Center Coalition, a group representing the interests of companies within the industry, posed opposition to the POWER Act last month. Brad Tietz, a representative of the coalition, told state lawmakers in a hearing that the legislation would’ve significantly hindered economic development in the state.
The law was ultimately tabled, though efforts to revive it are likely in the coming fall veto session.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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