As more Illinois municipalities weigh moratoriums on data center construction, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pressing state lawmakers to pass uniform regulations – despite light pushback from some who view the proposed rules as potentially misguided.
The Illinois General Assembly failed to pass legislation to further regulate data centers statewide through the POWER Act before the end of the spring session on June 1.
Pritzker said late last week he’s not concerned about getting short-term solutions passed sooner than when state lawmakers return to Springfield.
Pritzker noted there isn’t always transparency for communities when a data center project is being pitched in a locality.
State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, said data center non-disclosure agreements aren’t much different from privacy measures put in place when others buy a property, but there should be transparency after that.
He also said there’s been benefits in his district including significant decreases to the property tax levy – though he acknowledged there are bad actors in the space.
Lawmakers are set to return to Springfield for a six-day veto session from Nov. 17-19, and Dec. 1-3. The legislature is expected to return to bills that didn’t pass in May, such as the Power Act.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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