Oppose "Morris Technology Park" data center, in Morris IL
The Issue
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PETITION TO OPPOSE THE “MORRIS TECHNOLOGY PARK” DATA CENTER PLANNED BY “TRACT CAPITAL”
TO: The City of Morris City Council
FROM: Concerned Residents and Taxpayers of Morris, IL and Surrounding Communities
Statement of Opposition
We, the undersigned residents of Morris, IL and surrounding communities, formally submit this petition to voice our strong opposition to the proposed "Morris Technology Park" data center development planned by "Tract Capital" on the 344 acre parcel located on Route 6 and Gun Club Rd. While we support economic growth, we believe this specific project poses significant risks to our community's infrastructure, natural resources, and quality of life that far outweigh the projected benefits.
Key Areas of Concern:
Power Use
“Morris Technology Park" is planned to be a 1 gigawatt data center using approximately 8.76 twh of power annually, The “City of Morris” currently uses 0.2 twh of power annually, the data center will use enough power in one year to energize forty-three cities the size of Morris. This puts an enormous strain on the power grid as well as the city's aging electrical infrastructure. “Tract Capital” has signed a ten year TSA agreement with Comed and put up a million dollar bond, assuring they will pay for infrastructure upgrade to substations and lines on site, which does provide some rate shield for local citizens. However Comed has also announced they are raising electricity rates by 12% as of June 2026, while other sources have reported a 38% Comed increase, both citing the root cause, the power demand of the 893 operational data centers on the “PJM West Market”. How much more of a strain will there be in ten years when the 1 gigawatt "Morris Technology Park" data center as well as the other 1,183 planned data centers in the “PJM West Market” become operational and the Comed TSA agreement with “Tract Capital” expires, dropping the rate shield for Morris taxpayers. Other planned power projects due to data center power consumption include: Constellation is building another generator to handle data center power needs, Grundy County has applied for five permits for hydroelectric projects, and while not specifically stated for data center use, it is coincidentally the same number of data centers planned for Grundy County. Would the city and county need all of this extra power if not for the data centers? Who is paying for all of these extra power projects? The burden of cost is clearly being shifted onto the backs of the consumers and taxpayers. Will the city consider "Morris Technology Park" data center, a commercial industrial business, or as critical infrastructure, servicing their power needs first in blackouts and emergencies, leaving the 14,200 residents who occupy more than 8,000 single family homes in Morris in the dark and vulnerable? The Environmental and Energy Study Institute has stated "As data centers expand nationwide, utilities are receiving hundreds of gigawatts in interconnection requests with implications for the power grid and consumers”. We also have significant concerns about BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) that most modern data centers utilize to maintain balanced power levels. These systems are the size of large storage containers and can contain millions of pounds of lithium ion batteries. These systems have an issue with “Thermal Runaway”, defined as when one cell overheats quickly reaching temperatures up to 1,800 F, which can cause a chain reaction to other cells causing explosions, fire and toxic gases. BESS systems have already caused some significant disasters in the United States and abroad. Morris has already experienced a small lithium battery fire in June of 2021, when 400,000 pounds of batteries caught fire and caused the evacuation of homes on the East side of Morris for several days. How would we handle a similar fire of 100 Millions pounds of batteries, the number Google is known for putting into its data centers? Is the Morris Fire Department even equipped to handle such a large disaster? What would a disaster of this size do to our city, Interstate 80 and nearby towns?
We the people of Morris are requiring “Tract Capital”, a 1.7 billion dollar enterprise, who is saving millions of dollars every year by being in a TIF district to prioritize the "POWER ACT" principles, ensuring that any data center developer is held 100% financially responsible for their own energy and water infrastructure without shifting costs to citizens. We also require the "City of Morris" to list data centers in municipal code as a "commercial industrial business" not as critical infrastructure assuring the power needs of the people of Morris are met first ahead of commercial interests. In addition we require the “City of Morris” to perform the following studies a Grid Capacity & Interconnection Impact Analysis, a Ratepayer & Fiscal Impact Study, a Renewable Energy & Decarbonization Feasibility study, a Environmental and Backup Generation Impact Study and a Water-Energy Nexus Optimization Study. In regards to potential BESS Systems we require the “City of Morris” in coordination with the Morris Fire Protection & Ambulance District to perform the following studies a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) & Fire Hazard Analysis, develop a Emergency Response & Evacuation Plan, a Grid Interconnection & Load Impact Study, a Acoustic & Vibration Study, a Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) and a Comprehensive Land Use & Zoning Plan.
Water Loss
The “City of Morris” has reported the "Morris Technology Park" data center will use between 1 million to 2 million gallons of fresh water a day at peak times, in a closed loop system. While close loop systems are not as water intensive as evaporative systems, this is still a massive use of our limited fresh water resources. In comparison the "Morris Technology Park" data center will use more water a day than the entire City of Morris, at 2.5 million gallons a day. This is still an unnecessary excessive strain on the "Ironton-Galesville Sandstone Aquifer" the city's main fresh water resource. A quote taken from the recent Illinois Water Survey Report states "Excessive risk has been assigned where pumping levels reached 200 feet or less above the top of the “Ironton-Galesville Sandstone Aquifer”. Wells that have reached this threshold struggle to meet modern day demands. However, this relatively rare occurrence in 2021 occurs much more frequently in future simulations. Previous records indicate that wells with pumping levels reaching this threshold are in immediate danger of not being able to provide adequate supply and will be particularly vulnerable to minor increases in demand, either via new demands or even seasonal fluctuations in water levels. There is no evidence that pumps can be lowered further. Evaluation of alternative supplies is strongly recommended and likely unavoidable". We believe "The Morris Technology Park" data center will create more than a minor increase. Do we really need this new unnecessary and excessive use of one our most valuable natural resources? How will the wells of the residents of Ridge Crest and Hidden Lakes subdivision, residents of Cemetery Rd., The Grundy County Rod and Gun Club and other nearby farms fare with this new water hungry neighbor? What plan does the "City of Morris" or "Tract Capital" have in place if residents wells go dry, will they compensate homeowners to have them redug, is it even possible? Will Morris need to seek Lake Michigan water in the future? We know closed-loop systems require fresh, high-quality water to prevent severe equipment failure. Using mineral-heavy, hard, or salt water accelerates scale buildup, clogs micro-channels in high-density chips, and causes catastrophic metal corrosion. It is known that closed loop systems use many water treatment chemicals such as synthetic refrigerants that belong to the PFAS family or "forever chemicals" to help combat water erosion in their systems. PFAS chemicals are known to have a variety of serious health impacts including compromised immune systems, poor pregnancy health, low birth weights, cancer, hormonal and metabolic changes as well as liver and kidney disease. Data Centers must routinely perform "blowdowns" to prevent chemical and mineral buildup and keep the circulating water as clean as possible. Where will this flushed chemically treated waste water go? How will the data center developer handle this waste? Does the "City of Morris" have any plans to update city policies to address this? Most small city water treatment plants are not equipped to filter these chemicals out of the water. Historically Data Centers have just let this highly polluted water go right back into the ground, or reroute it to local streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. We believe this will leave “Grundy County Rod and Gun Club” ponds, “The Illinois River”, “Illinois and Michigan Canal”, “Aux Sable Creek”, nearby farms, resident wells and the “Ironton-Galesville Sandstone Aquifer” vulnerable to contamination, impacting our fresh water supply as well as the health and well being of our residents.
We the people of Morris require the “City of Morris" to perform due diligence in providing information such as: Peak Water Demand, Annual Water Consumption Estimate, Cooling Technology Description, Closed Loop vs Evaporative Cooling Analysis, a Water Recycling Plan, Backup Water Supply Plan, Drought Contingency Plan, Aquifer Impact Study, Groundwater Availability Study, Potential Groundwater Contamination and Interaction with Nearby Septic Systems and Water Wells Study, Impacts from Discharge into an Intermittent/Dry Creek Bed, Adverse Impacts to Wildlife, Livestock, and Downstream Properties, Adequacy of Public Notice to Affected Landowners beyond the required one mile downstream, Potential Flooding Report, Erosion and Infrastructure Impacts at Creek Crossings, a Water Utility Commitment Letter, Groundwater District Approvals, Water Transport Agreements, Surface Water Rights Documentation as well as all necessary environmental impact studies on local water biosystems. In the event that nearby residential wells do run dry or become contaminated we require “The City of Morris” or “Tract Capital” to compensate the affected homeowners to either drill a new well or drill existing wells deeper.
Noise and Light Pollution
Noise Pollution: a typical data center reaches a noise level of 75 to 95 db inside. Outside data centers are equipped with semi sized diesel generators and hundreds of fans to assist with cooling that turn on and off continuously, they can reach on average 110 db, this runs into the range of a construction zone or helicopter. For local perspective The Grundy County Speedway reaches noise levels of 90 to 110 db on race days, limited to the 3 or 4 hours of race time, the "Morris Technology Park" data center will be a 24 hr industrial operating facility, operating at this decibel range constantly day and night. The "City of Morris" at present does not have any ordinances limiting the number of decibels an industrial complex must limit itself to, or what boundary lines that noise must stop at. NBC Chicago reported a man located near a data center in Aurora, IL recorded a 63db hum, they also reported his home shakes like an earthquake and his drywall is cracking from the vibrations. The "City of Morris" has only made vague conversational promises of noise muffling but has no concrete plan or ordinance changes to handle this noise pollution. Local psychologists have spoken out on their concerns about the negative health impact this would create on neighboring residents physical, mental, psychological, stress levels and sleep patterns. Including potential negative impacts on children's developmental health. We believe the "Morris Technology Park" data center will significantly lower the quality of life and health for nearby residents in the Ridge Crest and Hidden Lake subdivisions, the residential homes of Cemetery Rd, The members of the “Grundy County Rod and Gun Club” and the numerous nearby horse ranches and farms. Light Pollution is also of serious concern. Data centers are lit up like football stadiums at night, flooding building perimeters and massive parking complexes with intense LED lighting to facilitate continuous video surveillance. Twenty-Four hour construction schedules are often used deploying high-powered stadium-style work lights that completely eliminate the local night. Continuous light trespass entering bedroom windows severely disrupts human circadian rhythms and suppresses melatonin production, triggering insomnia, stress, and associated long-term cardiovascular risks. The artificial glare disorients migratory birds, disrupts the nocturnal navigation of insects, and confuses local pollinators and mammals, threatening local biodiversity, not to mention the “Grundy County Rod and Gun Club” hunting season. Communities located close to existing data centers have witnessed extensive sky glow, making it nearly impossible for residents and amateur astronomers to see stars. Combining severe light trespass with the constant low-frequency hum of cooling fans creates a stark industrial landscape that lowers local quality of life and residential property values.
We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" to perform an Environmental Noise Impact Assessment, Acoustic Modeling Studies, develop Noise Abatement and Mitigation Plans, if modeling predicts noise standard violations, developers must provide Engineered Solutions, including testing the effectiveness of acoustic enclosures, barrier walls and specific building materials, conduct a vibration analysis. In regards to light pollution we require the "City of Morris" to perform Photometric Light Trespass Studies to measure off-site glare, Sky glow Emissions Modeling to quantify atmospheric light scatter, and Ecological & Biological Impact Assessments to protect local wildlife and migratory patterns. We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" to develop strict municipal codes and ordinances limiting noise and light pollution from Data Center Industrial complexes according to Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, USA and Dark Sky International Standards.
Invasive Construction Process
Data centers are historically known to have a very invasive and lengthy construction process, considerably lowering the quality of life for neighboring residents. The Construction process can last anywhere from 18 months up to 20 years. As an example the town of Yorkville, IL was given a 20 year buildout estimate by their data denter developer, Minooka, IL was given a 10 year buildout estimate by the developer Equinix. What will the true build out schedule be for the "Morris Technology Park" data center? The data center construction process is an intensive sequence of heavy civil grading, and complex infrastructure integration. Consuming vast amounts of concrete, structural steel, and electrical power. The process disrupts surrounding environments through heavy land clearing, deep foundation piling, and substantial noise and water pollution. This process dwarfs that of a typical warehouse build. How is this going to affect the quality of life for nearby residents, in particular known handicapped and autistic children living in the area? It is known that the “City of Morris” plans to shut down Route 6 from Ashley Rd to Brisbin Rd., during the construction process, with construction having already been in progress for years on interstate 80 and Route 6 being the alternative route, how is this going to impact traffic flow and commute times? Hardworking residents depend on these roads to get back and forth to work. Cities have been known to approve 24 hour construction schedules to accommodate the developers. Communities similar to Morris around the country who are currently dealing with the data center construction process like "Mount Pleasant, WI" report the experience as absolutely miserable. Residents report dust on their cars and inside their homes as thick as one inch every day, pile driving 24 hours a day, light trespass from stadium style work lights, heavy construction vehicles going back and forth from the work site at all hours and the massive amount of cars parked along the sides of the road from construction workers. Communities have also reported out-of-state construction workers typically used for these builds filling up local campgrounds and driving up local rental rates, trashing the rentals and then leaving town. Will the "City of Morris" be approving round the clock 24 hour construction schedules? What limitations will be put into place? How will this impact the quality of life and livelihoods for the residents of Ridge Crest, Hidden Lakes and Cemetery Rd. How will this affect the hunting and camping season for years to come for the “Grundy County Rod and Gun Club”. How will this affect our wildlife, horses and livestock of nearby farms? How will this affect local homeowners property rates? Will "Tract Capital" or the "City of Morris" be purchasing their homes at market value should their property rates drop?
We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" to provide Baseline Pre-Development Noise Modeling and Operational Sound Limits, develop Strict Air Quality Regulations, Dust Mitigation, and Diesel Generator Testing Schedules to protect nearby residential areas, designate Specific Haul Routes to prevent damage to residential streets, ensure Trenching and Duct-Bank Plans are in place to connect the facility to major regional fiber-optic networks without causing repeated disruptions to local traffic,negotiate CBAs to ensure developers invest in local workforce development, community spaces, or public safety resources, establish clear Timelines for Project Milestone Tracking, Commissioning, and Regular Inspections to hold developers accountable to the community, a Parking Plan for the thousands of out-of-state vehicles. We also require the "City of Morris" to protect our rental property owners from transient construction crews residing in residential properties by strictly enforcing Local Occupancy Limits, implementing Crime-Free Housing Ordinances, requiring Mandatory Rental Registries, and increasing Code Enforcement Fines for property mismanagement by absentee landlords. We also require that should property rates in nearby homes drop, that "Tract Capital" make those affected residents whole by purchasing their properties at current market value and assist them in their relocation costs.
Number of Jobs Created is Overstated
The "City of Morris" has stated numerous times they anticipate 150 to 350 permanent jobs will be created, while Aindrea Hogan with the Grundy Economic Development Council is quoted as saying "While data centers typically do not employ a large number of people on-site, the positions they offer are well compensated and contribute significantly to the local economy.", WCJS News August 19, 2025. A quote from the Wall Street Journal says "Although it requires thousands of workers to build these facilities, “The reality is data centers just don’t employ that many people,’’ wrote Tom Dotan, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal. It is known that the Data Center Industry is striving towards the goals of running their facilities with an "Out-of-Band" or "Lights Out Management" style utilizing automation and co-location services (technicians from other states or countries) having no permanent employees aside from a few security guards at the site. Due to these factors we believe the job number to be vastly overstated by "Tract Capital" and Mayor Chris Brown these statements simply do not follow the Data Center Industry current stated goals or standards. Industry standards dictate that currently just 10 to 20 permanent jobs are more likely, with most of those being low skilled labor positions such as janitorial or landscaping maintenance. Only three or four jobs may end up being high technology six figure positions. In contrast the Walmart Supercenter in Morris, IL, Store #844, currently employs 370 employees with one to three management positions earning six figure incomes, The Procter & Gamble Greater Chicago Fulfillment Center, Morris IL, employs 500 people with a reported five to six senior management employees making six figure incomes and Costco meat processing plant in Morris, IL employs approximately 561 people, with three to four senior management employees making six figure incomes. When we review the data center industry's current trend and future goals it's clear future generations of Morris workers will be better served seeking employment from the security vendor the future developer hires.
We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" provide transparent, data-backed reporting rather than relying on initial job estimates from "Tract Capital". This documentation will verify that projects deliver on promised employment and workforce development goals. We require "Tract Capital" to provide an anonymized, verified W-2 data submitted to the city council to prove the quantity and salaries of direct permanent employees, documentation separating direct employees (IT operations, facility managers, security) from induced or contracted workers (on-site catering, landscaping, specialized maintenance), proof that the permanent jobs meet or exceed regional median wage requirements (often stipulated as 150% of the local median income to qualify for tax abatements. To protect our local construction workers we require the "City of Morris" provide verified breakdowns of the contractor payroll, specifically identifying what percentage of the workforce resides locally within Grundy or Will Counties, total counts and work hours for specialized trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, fiber splicers) utilized on-site and confirmation that state-certified or local trade union apprenticeship programs are being actively used to upskill local workers. We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" protect the Morris community job prospects by providing data showing corporate investment (funding, equipment donations, or scholarships) in local community colleges or vocational tech programs designed to pipeline students directly into data center roles, a requirement for a publicly accessible, transparent reporting mechanism that tracks the number of local hires relative to out-of-state contractors over the lifespan of the development and clear reporting on the percentage of auxiliary and service contracts awarded to locally-owned businesses.
Too Risky of an Investment
We do not believe the "Morris Technology Park Data Center makes sense in a city the size of Morris, IL with a population of 14,200 residents, projects of this size are recommended in areas with a population of 50,000 or more who can absorb the impacts of lost tax revenue more easily according to industry experts. We ask what is the reward vs risk balance? On the reward side as Aindrea Hogan with the Grundy Economic Development Council stated "They've been touted as a once in a generation windfall in many areas, not only because of the significant tax revenue, but also for the long term economic opportunities that they can help in the local areas in which they support.", WCJS News August 18, 2025. We do not deny this project could potentially bring in millions if not billions of dollars of tax revenues into the "City of Morris" that could benefit its residents. However this also carries with it a significant amount of risk. First, there is a sizable financial concentration risk for the "City of Morris" coupled with the volatility of the technology industry, we risk turning the "City of Morris" into a Data Center Industry Town. We only need to look to history to see that single industry towns where the local economy revolves around one dominant company or industry never ends well, not for the coal mining towns of Virginia, the Automotive Industry towns of the 1980's or the Data Center towns of the present. Second, Hyperscale Data Centers are reported to have a life cycle of 20 to 30 years at most, possibly less with new and more efficient technologies emerging, as enthusiastically stated numerous times by Morris Business Development Director Julie Wilkinson and Mayor Chris Brown. The Technology Industry is notorious for following a hype cycle, with little to no regard for its past. All it takes is for new software to be developed or new power and water advancements that only require a quarter of the current building size, the valuation of the commercial property will drop, the only place the city has to make up the tax revenue difference is on the backs of the residents. Third, this type of investment carries with it more questions than answers, such as What if the developer only builds half of the project? Does the "City of Morris" have a destruction bond? Are there any infrastructure projects the City of Morris will be left with should it fail? Can The City of Morris walk away from the deal? What if one out of several buildings are built and we have an under- used piece of parcel for the next 30 years? Data Centers buildings are very purposely built. What real estate value will the building have after its lifecycle? Are we prepared for large valuation reductions if we have overbuilt?, Will we need to bail them out if their valuation is largely cut? With headlines from major news organizations stating we are in an "AI Bubble" such as "High-tech companies are spending massive amounts of money on data centers because the market rewards them for doing so. Capital expenditures have become a kind of corporate signaling mechanism. On earnings calls, “We’re investing aggressively” has become synonymous with “We’re winning,” even when the investment is built on forecasts that are, at best, optimistic and, at worst, indistinguishable from wishful thinking.", as well as a 1.3 trillion dollar technology stock market loss on June 5, 2026, and signals coming from major financial investors that "No industry in the history of mankind has ever grown this fast" it's simply not safe, it’s irrational”. Our tax base should be broadened, not concentrated. If this was your personal investment portfolio would you consider it responsible to put all your "eggs in one basket" or spread your money out into multiple investments. Our city representatives have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Morris to spend our tax dollars in wise investments, to diversify the tax base, not concentrate it. The "Morris Technology Park" data center represents too large, too risky and we believe too irresponsible of an investment at this time.
We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" pass a Moratorium to allow time to evaluate the situation and gather more data on rewards vs risks, we want a town hall meeting held during non-working hours with residents and “Tract Capital” and this project put up for Public Vote by adding it as a Referendum item on the very next general election ballot.
Ruins our Rural Character
The "City of Morris" has been called a "Rockwellian" town by the Chicago Tribune and prides itself on a thriving small business scene in well preserved historic 19th century downtown storefronts, antique shops, and local restaurants. It boasts of its small town charm and hosts numerous community gatherings every year like "Cruise Nights", “Liberty Days” and the historic "Grundy County Corn Festival". Situated along the Illinois and Michigan Canal, the town balances small-town tranquility with outdoor recreation like hiking, camping, fishing and boating at nearby parks. The "Morris Technology Park" data center has the potential to fundamentally change the landscape of our community forever. While we support economic growth, we believe this specific project poses significant risks to our community’s infrastructure, natural resources, and quality of life that far outweigh the projected benefits.
By signing this petition we stand united in our commitment to protecting our community and promoting sustainable industries and sound financial practices. We believe that through increased awareness, organized opposition and collective action we can create a positive impact on the "City of Morris", our fellow residents, the rural character of our community and protect our natural resources.
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The Issue
Find us on Facebook: Morris Illinois Data Center Opposition
PETITION TO OPPOSE THE “MORRIS TECHNOLOGY PARK” DATA CENTER PLANNED BY “TRACT CAPITAL”
TO: The City of Morris City Council
FROM: Concerned Residents and Taxpayers of Morris, IL and Surrounding Communities
Statement of Opposition
We, the undersigned residents of Morris, IL and surrounding communities, formally submit this petition to voice our strong opposition to the proposed "Morris Technology Park" data center development planned by "Tract Capital" on the 344 acre parcel located on Route 6 and Gun Club Rd. While we support economic growth, we believe this specific project poses significant risks to our community's infrastructure, natural resources, and quality of life that far outweigh the projected benefits.
Key Areas of Concern:
Power Use
“Morris Technology Park" is planned to be a 1 gigawatt data center using approximately 8.76 twh of power annually, The “City of Morris” currently uses 0.2 twh of power annually, the data center will use enough power in one year to energize forty-three cities the size of Morris. This puts an enormous strain on the power grid as well as the city's aging electrical infrastructure. “Tract Capital” has signed a ten year TSA agreement with Comed and put up a million dollar bond, assuring they will pay for infrastructure upgrade to substations and lines on site, which does provide some rate shield for local citizens. However Comed has also announced they are raising electricity rates by 12% as of June 2026, while other sources have reported a 38% Comed increase, both citing the root cause, the power demand of the 893 operational data centers on the “PJM West Market”. How much more of a strain will there be in ten years when the 1 gigawatt "Morris Technology Park" data center as well as the other 1,183 planned data centers in the “PJM West Market” become operational and the Comed TSA agreement with “Tract Capital” expires, dropping the rate shield for Morris taxpayers. Other planned power projects due to data center power consumption include: Constellation is building another generator to handle data center power needs, Grundy County has applied for five permits for hydroelectric projects, and while not specifically stated for data center use, it is coincidentally the same number of data centers planned for Grundy County. Would the city and county need all of this extra power if not for the data centers? Who is paying for all of these extra power projects? The burden of cost is clearly being shifted onto the backs of the consumers and taxpayers. Will the city consider "Morris Technology Park" data center, a commercial industrial business, or as critical infrastructure, servicing their power needs first in blackouts and emergencies, leaving the 14,200 residents who occupy more than 8,000 single family homes in Morris in the dark and vulnerable? The Environmental and Energy Study Institute has stated "As data centers expand nationwide, utilities are receiving hundreds of gigawatts in interconnection requests with implications for the power grid and consumers”. We also have significant concerns about BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) that most modern data centers utilize to maintain balanced power levels. These systems are the size of large storage containers and can contain millions of pounds of lithium ion batteries. These systems have an issue with “Thermal Runaway”, defined as when one cell overheats quickly reaching temperatures up to 1,800 F, which can cause a chain reaction to other cells causing explosions, fire and toxic gases. BESS systems have already caused some significant disasters in the United States and abroad. Morris has already experienced a small lithium battery fire in June of 2021, when 400,000 pounds of batteries caught fire and caused the evacuation of homes on the East side of Morris for several days. How would we handle a similar fire of 100 Millions pounds of batteries, the number Google is known for putting into its data centers? Is the Morris Fire Department even equipped to handle such a large disaster? What would a disaster of this size do to our city, Interstate 80 and nearby towns?
We the people of Morris are requiring “Tract Capital”, a 1.7 billion dollar enterprise, who is saving millions of dollars every year by being in a TIF district to prioritize the "POWER ACT" principles, ensuring that any data center developer is held 100% financially responsible for their own energy and water infrastructure without shifting costs to citizens. We also require the "City of Morris" to list data centers in municipal code as a "commercial industrial business" not as critical infrastructure assuring the power needs of the people of Morris are met first ahead of commercial interests. In addition we require the “City of Morris” to perform the following studies a Grid Capacity & Interconnection Impact Analysis, a Ratepayer & Fiscal Impact Study, a Renewable Energy & Decarbonization Feasibility study, a Environmental and Backup Generation Impact Study and a Water-Energy Nexus Optimization Study. In regards to potential BESS Systems we require the “City of Morris” in coordination with the Morris Fire Protection & Ambulance District to perform the following studies a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) & Fire Hazard Analysis, develop a Emergency Response & Evacuation Plan, a Grid Interconnection & Load Impact Study, a Acoustic & Vibration Study, a Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) and a Comprehensive Land Use & Zoning Plan.
Water Loss
The “City of Morris” has reported the "Morris Technology Park" data center will use between 1 million to 2 million gallons of fresh water a day at peak times, in a closed loop system. While close loop systems are not as water intensive as evaporative systems, this is still a massive use of our limited fresh water resources. In comparison the "Morris Technology Park" data center will use more water a day than the entire City of Morris, at 2.5 million gallons a day. This is still an unnecessary excessive strain on the "Ironton-Galesville Sandstone Aquifer" the city's main fresh water resource. A quote taken from the recent Illinois Water Survey Report states "Excessive risk has been assigned where pumping levels reached 200 feet or less above the top of the “Ironton-Galesville Sandstone Aquifer”. Wells that have reached this threshold struggle to meet modern day demands. However, this relatively rare occurrence in 2021 occurs much more frequently in future simulations. Previous records indicate that wells with pumping levels reaching this threshold are in immediate danger of not being able to provide adequate supply and will be particularly vulnerable to minor increases in demand, either via new demands or even seasonal fluctuations in water levels. There is no evidence that pumps can be lowered further. Evaluation of alternative supplies is strongly recommended and likely unavoidable". We believe "The Morris Technology Park" data center will create more than a minor increase. Do we really need this new unnecessary and excessive use of one our most valuable natural resources? How will the wells of the residents of Ridge Crest and Hidden Lakes subdivision, residents of Cemetery Rd., The Grundy County Rod and Gun Club and other nearby farms fare with this new water hungry neighbor? What plan does the "City of Morris" or "Tract Capital" have in place if residents wells go dry, will they compensate homeowners to have them redug, is it even possible? Will Morris need to seek Lake Michigan water in the future? We know closed-loop systems require fresh, high-quality water to prevent severe equipment failure. Using mineral-heavy, hard, or salt water accelerates scale buildup, clogs micro-channels in high-density chips, and causes catastrophic metal corrosion. It is known that closed loop systems use many water treatment chemicals such as synthetic refrigerants that belong to the PFAS family or "forever chemicals" to help combat water erosion in their systems. PFAS chemicals are known to have a variety of serious health impacts including compromised immune systems, poor pregnancy health, low birth weights, cancer, hormonal and metabolic changes as well as liver and kidney disease. Data Centers must routinely perform "blowdowns" to prevent chemical and mineral buildup and keep the circulating water as clean as possible. Where will this flushed chemically treated waste water go? How will the data center developer handle this waste? Does the "City of Morris" have any plans to update city policies to address this? Most small city water treatment plants are not equipped to filter these chemicals out of the water. Historically Data Centers have just let this highly polluted water go right back into the ground, or reroute it to local streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. We believe this will leave “Grundy County Rod and Gun Club” ponds, “The Illinois River”, “Illinois and Michigan Canal”, “Aux Sable Creek”, nearby farms, resident wells and the “Ironton-Galesville Sandstone Aquifer” vulnerable to contamination, impacting our fresh water supply as well as the health and well being of our residents.
We the people of Morris require the “City of Morris" to perform due diligence in providing information such as: Peak Water Demand, Annual Water Consumption Estimate, Cooling Technology Description, Closed Loop vs Evaporative Cooling Analysis, a Water Recycling Plan, Backup Water Supply Plan, Drought Contingency Plan, Aquifer Impact Study, Groundwater Availability Study, Potential Groundwater Contamination and Interaction with Nearby Septic Systems and Water Wells Study, Impacts from Discharge into an Intermittent/Dry Creek Bed, Adverse Impacts to Wildlife, Livestock, and Downstream Properties, Adequacy of Public Notice to Affected Landowners beyond the required one mile downstream, Potential Flooding Report, Erosion and Infrastructure Impacts at Creek Crossings, a Water Utility Commitment Letter, Groundwater District Approvals, Water Transport Agreements, Surface Water Rights Documentation as well as all necessary environmental impact studies on local water biosystems. In the event that nearby residential wells do run dry or become contaminated we require “The City of Morris” or “Tract Capital” to compensate the affected homeowners to either drill a new well or drill existing wells deeper.
Noise and Light Pollution
Noise Pollution: a typical data center reaches a noise level of 75 to 95 db inside. Outside data centers are equipped with semi sized diesel generators and hundreds of fans to assist with cooling that turn on and off continuously, they can reach on average 110 db, this runs into the range of a construction zone or helicopter. For local perspective The Grundy County Speedway reaches noise levels of 90 to 110 db on race days, limited to the 3 or 4 hours of race time, the "Morris Technology Park" data center will be a 24 hr industrial operating facility, operating at this decibel range constantly day and night. The "City of Morris" at present does not have any ordinances limiting the number of decibels an industrial complex must limit itself to, or what boundary lines that noise must stop at. NBC Chicago reported a man located near a data center in Aurora, IL recorded a 63db hum, they also reported his home shakes like an earthquake and his drywall is cracking from the vibrations. The "City of Morris" has only made vague conversational promises of noise muffling but has no concrete plan or ordinance changes to handle this noise pollution. Local psychologists have spoken out on their concerns about the negative health impact this would create on neighboring residents physical, mental, psychological, stress levels and sleep patterns. Including potential negative impacts on children's developmental health. We believe the "Morris Technology Park" data center will significantly lower the quality of life and health for nearby residents in the Ridge Crest and Hidden Lake subdivisions, the residential homes of Cemetery Rd, The members of the “Grundy County Rod and Gun Club” and the numerous nearby horse ranches and farms. Light Pollution is also of serious concern. Data centers are lit up like football stadiums at night, flooding building perimeters and massive parking complexes with intense LED lighting to facilitate continuous video surveillance. Twenty-Four hour construction schedules are often used deploying high-powered stadium-style work lights that completely eliminate the local night. Continuous light trespass entering bedroom windows severely disrupts human circadian rhythms and suppresses melatonin production, triggering insomnia, stress, and associated long-term cardiovascular risks. The artificial glare disorients migratory birds, disrupts the nocturnal navigation of insects, and confuses local pollinators and mammals, threatening local biodiversity, not to mention the “Grundy County Rod and Gun Club” hunting season. Communities located close to existing data centers have witnessed extensive sky glow, making it nearly impossible for residents and amateur astronomers to see stars. Combining severe light trespass with the constant low-frequency hum of cooling fans creates a stark industrial landscape that lowers local quality of life and residential property values.
We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" to perform an Environmental Noise Impact Assessment, Acoustic Modeling Studies, develop Noise Abatement and Mitigation Plans, if modeling predicts noise standard violations, developers must provide Engineered Solutions, including testing the effectiveness of acoustic enclosures, barrier walls and specific building materials, conduct a vibration analysis. In regards to light pollution we require the "City of Morris" to perform Photometric Light Trespass Studies to measure off-site glare, Sky glow Emissions Modeling to quantify atmospheric light scatter, and Ecological & Biological Impact Assessments to protect local wildlife and migratory patterns. We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" to develop strict municipal codes and ordinances limiting noise and light pollution from Data Center Industrial complexes according to Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, USA and Dark Sky International Standards.
Invasive Construction Process
Data centers are historically known to have a very invasive and lengthy construction process, considerably lowering the quality of life for neighboring residents. The Construction process can last anywhere from 18 months up to 20 years. As an example the town of Yorkville, IL was given a 20 year buildout estimate by their data denter developer, Minooka, IL was given a 10 year buildout estimate by the developer Equinix. What will the true build out schedule be for the "Morris Technology Park" data center? The data center construction process is an intensive sequence of heavy civil grading, and complex infrastructure integration. Consuming vast amounts of concrete, structural steel, and electrical power. The process disrupts surrounding environments through heavy land clearing, deep foundation piling, and substantial noise and water pollution. This process dwarfs that of a typical warehouse build. How is this going to affect the quality of life for nearby residents, in particular known handicapped and autistic children living in the area? It is known that the “City of Morris” plans to shut down Route 6 from Ashley Rd to Brisbin Rd., during the construction process, with construction having already been in progress for years on interstate 80 and Route 6 being the alternative route, how is this going to impact traffic flow and commute times? Hardworking residents depend on these roads to get back and forth to work. Cities have been known to approve 24 hour construction schedules to accommodate the developers. Communities similar to Morris around the country who are currently dealing with the data center construction process like "Mount Pleasant, WI" report the experience as absolutely miserable. Residents report dust on their cars and inside their homes as thick as one inch every day, pile driving 24 hours a day, light trespass from stadium style work lights, heavy construction vehicles going back and forth from the work site at all hours and the massive amount of cars parked along the sides of the road from construction workers. Communities have also reported out-of-state construction workers typically used for these builds filling up local campgrounds and driving up local rental rates, trashing the rentals and then leaving town. Will the "City of Morris" be approving round the clock 24 hour construction schedules? What limitations will be put into place? How will this impact the quality of life and livelihoods for the residents of Ridge Crest, Hidden Lakes and Cemetery Rd. How will this affect the hunting and camping season for years to come for the “Grundy County Rod and Gun Club”. How will this affect our wildlife, horses and livestock of nearby farms? How will this affect local homeowners property rates? Will "Tract Capital" or the "City of Morris" be purchasing their homes at market value should their property rates drop?
We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" to provide Baseline Pre-Development Noise Modeling and Operational Sound Limits, develop Strict Air Quality Regulations, Dust Mitigation, and Diesel Generator Testing Schedules to protect nearby residential areas, designate Specific Haul Routes to prevent damage to residential streets, ensure Trenching and Duct-Bank Plans are in place to connect the facility to major regional fiber-optic networks without causing repeated disruptions to local traffic,negotiate CBAs to ensure developers invest in local workforce development, community spaces, or public safety resources, establish clear Timelines for Project Milestone Tracking, Commissioning, and Regular Inspections to hold developers accountable to the community, a Parking Plan for the thousands of out-of-state vehicles. We also require the "City of Morris" to protect our rental property owners from transient construction crews residing in residential properties by strictly enforcing Local Occupancy Limits, implementing Crime-Free Housing Ordinances, requiring Mandatory Rental Registries, and increasing Code Enforcement Fines for property mismanagement by absentee landlords. We also require that should property rates in nearby homes drop, that "Tract Capital" make those affected residents whole by purchasing their properties at current market value and assist them in their relocation costs.
Number of Jobs Created is Overstated
The "City of Morris" has stated numerous times they anticipate 150 to 350 permanent jobs will be created, while Aindrea Hogan with the Grundy Economic Development Council is quoted as saying "While data centers typically do not employ a large number of people on-site, the positions they offer are well compensated and contribute significantly to the local economy.", WCJS News August 19, 2025. A quote from the Wall Street Journal says "Although it requires thousands of workers to build these facilities, “The reality is data centers just don’t employ that many people,’’ wrote Tom Dotan, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal. It is known that the Data Center Industry is striving towards the goals of running their facilities with an "Out-of-Band" or "Lights Out Management" style utilizing automation and co-location services (technicians from other states or countries) having no permanent employees aside from a few security guards at the site. Due to these factors we believe the job number to be vastly overstated by "Tract Capital" and Mayor Chris Brown these statements simply do not follow the Data Center Industry current stated goals or standards. Industry standards dictate that currently just 10 to 20 permanent jobs are more likely, with most of those being low skilled labor positions such as janitorial or landscaping maintenance. Only three or four jobs may end up being high technology six figure positions. In contrast the Walmart Supercenter in Morris, IL, Store #844, currently employs 370 employees with one to three management positions earning six figure incomes, The Procter & Gamble Greater Chicago Fulfillment Center, Morris IL, employs 500 people with a reported five to six senior management employees making six figure incomes and Costco meat processing plant in Morris, IL employs approximately 561 people, with three to four senior management employees making six figure incomes. When we review the data center industry's current trend and future goals it's clear future generations of Morris workers will be better served seeking employment from the security vendor the future developer hires.
We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" provide transparent, data-backed reporting rather than relying on initial job estimates from "Tract Capital". This documentation will verify that projects deliver on promised employment and workforce development goals. We require "Tract Capital" to provide an anonymized, verified W-2 data submitted to the city council to prove the quantity and salaries of direct permanent employees, documentation separating direct employees (IT operations, facility managers, security) from induced or contracted workers (on-site catering, landscaping, specialized maintenance), proof that the permanent jobs meet or exceed regional median wage requirements (often stipulated as 150% of the local median income to qualify for tax abatements. To protect our local construction workers we require the "City of Morris" provide verified breakdowns of the contractor payroll, specifically identifying what percentage of the workforce resides locally within Grundy or Will Counties, total counts and work hours for specialized trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, fiber splicers) utilized on-site and confirmation that state-certified or local trade union apprenticeship programs are being actively used to upskill local workers. We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" protect the Morris community job prospects by providing data showing corporate investment (funding, equipment donations, or scholarships) in local community colleges or vocational tech programs designed to pipeline students directly into data center roles, a requirement for a publicly accessible, transparent reporting mechanism that tracks the number of local hires relative to out-of-state contractors over the lifespan of the development and clear reporting on the percentage of auxiliary and service contracts awarded to locally-owned businesses.
Too Risky of an Investment
We do not believe the "Morris Technology Park Data Center makes sense in a city the size of Morris, IL with a population of 14,200 residents, projects of this size are recommended in areas with a population of 50,000 or more who can absorb the impacts of lost tax revenue more easily according to industry experts. We ask what is the reward vs risk balance? On the reward side as Aindrea Hogan with the Grundy Economic Development Council stated "They've been touted as a once in a generation windfall in many areas, not only because of the significant tax revenue, but also for the long term economic opportunities that they can help in the local areas in which they support.", WCJS News August 18, 2025. We do not deny this project could potentially bring in millions if not billions of dollars of tax revenues into the "City of Morris" that could benefit its residents. However this also carries with it a significant amount of risk. First, there is a sizable financial concentration risk for the "City of Morris" coupled with the volatility of the technology industry, we risk turning the "City of Morris" into a Data Center Industry Town. We only need to look to history to see that single industry towns where the local economy revolves around one dominant company or industry never ends well, not for the coal mining towns of Virginia, the Automotive Industry towns of the 1980's or the Data Center towns of the present. Second, Hyperscale Data Centers are reported to have a life cycle of 20 to 30 years at most, possibly less with new and more efficient technologies emerging, as enthusiastically stated numerous times by Morris Business Development Director Julie Wilkinson and Mayor Chris Brown. The Technology Industry is notorious for following a hype cycle, with little to no regard for its past. All it takes is for new software to be developed or new power and water advancements that only require a quarter of the current building size, the valuation of the commercial property will drop, the only place the city has to make up the tax revenue difference is on the backs of the residents. Third, this type of investment carries with it more questions than answers, such as What if the developer only builds half of the project? Does the "City of Morris" have a destruction bond? Are there any infrastructure projects the City of Morris will be left with should it fail? Can The City of Morris walk away from the deal? What if one out of several buildings are built and we have an under- used piece of parcel for the next 30 years? Data Centers buildings are very purposely built. What real estate value will the building have after its lifecycle? Are we prepared for large valuation reductions if we have overbuilt?, Will we need to bail them out if their valuation is largely cut? With headlines from major news organizations stating we are in an "AI Bubble" such as "High-tech companies are spending massive amounts of money on data centers because the market rewards them for doing so. Capital expenditures have become a kind of corporate signaling mechanism. On earnings calls, “We’re investing aggressively” has become synonymous with “We’re winning,” even when the investment is built on forecasts that are, at best, optimistic and, at worst, indistinguishable from wishful thinking.", as well as a 1.3 trillion dollar technology stock market loss on June 5, 2026, and signals coming from major financial investors that "No industry in the history of mankind has ever grown this fast" it's simply not safe, it’s irrational”. Our tax base should be broadened, not concentrated. If this was your personal investment portfolio would you consider it responsible to put all your "eggs in one basket" or spread your money out into multiple investments. Our city representatives have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Morris to spend our tax dollars in wise investments, to diversify the tax base, not concentrate it. The "Morris Technology Park" data center represents too large, too risky and we believe too irresponsible of an investment at this time.
We the people of Morris require the "City of Morris" pass a Moratorium to allow time to evaluate the situation and gather more data on rewards vs risks, we want a town hall meeting held during non-working hours with residents and “Tract Capital” and this project put up for Public Vote by adding it as a Referendum item on the very next general election ballot.
Ruins our Rural Character
The "City of Morris" has been called a "Rockwellian" town by the Chicago Tribune and prides itself on a thriving small business scene in well preserved historic 19th century downtown storefronts, antique shops, and local restaurants. It boasts of its small town charm and hosts numerous community gatherings every year like "Cruise Nights", “Liberty Days” and the historic "Grundy County Corn Festival". Situated along the Illinois and Michigan Canal, the town balances small-town tranquility with outdoor recreation like hiking, camping, fishing and boating at nearby parks. The "Morris Technology Park" data center has the potential to fundamentally change the landscape of our community forever. While we support economic growth, we believe this specific project poses significant risks to our community’s infrastructure, natural resources, and quality of life that far outweigh the projected benefits.
By signing this petition we stand united in our commitment to protecting our community and promoting sustainable industries and sound financial practices. We believe that through increased awareness, organized opposition and collective action we can create a positive impact on the "City of Morris", our fellow residents, the rural character of our community and protect our natural resources.
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Petition created on June 25, 2026