Data centers are spreading across Illinois at breakneck speed—yet few people understand how deeply they impact our energy, water, and land. These massive server warehouses are often approved quietly, with little public input and millions in tax incentives. It’s time for Illinois to hit pause.

We urge Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to pass a statewide moratorium on new data center projects until community protections and environmental regulations are in place.

Here’s why it matters:

• Water Use: Data centers can consume millions of gallons of water per day for cooling—at a time when many parts of Illinois face water management challenges.
• Energy Demand: They place enormous strain on our electric grid, raising questions about future capacity and who pays the price.
• Low Job Return: Most facilities offer few permanent jobs, while benefiting from huge tax breaks.
• Zoning Gaps: Many towns don’t have zoning ordinances that account for these large, industrial-scale projects.

We’ve already seen what happens when tech moves faster than local government. Without standards, these projects can crowd out better uses for land, bypass environmental review, and silence residents.

Illinois must act before it’s too late. A temporary moratorium would give time to:

• Gather community input
• Review zoning and land use rules
• Ensure fair taxation and sustainable growth

This isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about protecting our communities and natural resources from unchecked development.

Sign now to support a statewide moratorium on data centers in Illinois. Let’s plan responsibly—together.