(The Center Square) – Opponents of a planned $20 billion data center project in Joliet say big tech money arrived before public oversight.
Real estate developer Hillwood and PowerHouse DataCenters say their investment in the Joliet Technology Center will bring thousands of construction jobs and long-term revenue to strengthen city services.
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition held a press conference outside Joliet City Hall on Monday. Activists said Joliet’s planning commission and city council moved the 795-acre project forward in less than three weeks.
State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, said most constituents do not want the Joliet Technology Center.
“There are currently no checks and balances on data center developers, and they’re flooding the state with proposals driving up our utility bills, threatening our water supply and leaving communities in the dark,” Ventura said.
Ventura urged support for Senate Bill 4016 and House Bill 5513 to regulate data centers. The bills include provisions to prohibit cost shifting, ensure data centers power their own operations and provide clean energy incentives.
The POWER Act would also prevent data centers from signing nondisclosure agreements with local governments. Joliet signed a confidentiality agreement with Hillwood during early discussions about the project.
Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, promised last month that the General Assembly would pass legislation this spring to regulate data centers.
Gabel is the chief sponsor of HB 5513.
GreenLatinos Illinois State Director Lucy Contreras said now is the time to place guardrails on unchecked data center expansion.
“What happened here in Joliet can and is happening in communities across the state,” Contreras said.
Noah Martinez of Joliet Residents for Responsible Growth said the community is organizing.
“People across the state are now looking at the 795-acre, 1.8 gigawatt Joliet Technology Center as the latest example of what happens when big tech arrives in town with bags full of money faster than public oversight, regulatory safeguards and community consent can take their course,” Martinez said.
The Joliet Technology Center, Hillwood and Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy’s office did not respond to The Center Square’s request for an interview.
