Hundreds of Joliet residents showed up last night. Nearly FOUR hours of public comment. People spoke passionately, some even on the verge of tears. And just hours later, the Joliet Plan Commission voted 7–1 to advance the proposed data center anyway.
Here’s what happened and why the fight is FAR from over.
But first, I want to start with a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has helped share this petition. Yesterday we reached 3,000 signatures, and as of today it’s already climbed to 3,313 and counting. That is absolutely incredible and shows just how many people care about the future of Joliet.
Now for the update regarding the City of Joliet Special Plan Commission meeting on the proposed data center.
The meeting was held yesterday at 4:00 PM and didn’t end until almost 9:30 PM. Hundreds of residents showed up to make their voices heard and tell our public officials that they do not want a data center in Joliet. The council chambers were completely packed, standing room only. People had to be directed to overflow rooms. Hillwood gave a presentation outlining their plans for the project. While it was meant to be informative, it still left a long list of unanswered questions and raised serious concerns for Joliet residents.
Based on the commentary and overall energy from several members of the Plan Commission, it honestly felt like the decision had already been made behind closed doors — as if approval was already decided before the meeting even started.
Even MORE disappointing was the behavior during public comment. Many residents spoke passionately about their concerns. Some people were nearly in TEARS. Public comment lasted almost FOUR hours. Yet several members of the Plan Commission looked completely disengaged. On their phones, appearing bored, and acting like they were tired of hearing from the very people they are supposed to represent. Seeing our public servants looking so unconcerned was extremely disappointing.
I purposely waited until the very end of the meeting to speak. I told the Plan Commission that I was the one who started this petition back in October. Before my speech, my friend Rick Norman presented the petition to the commission. I reminded them that over 3,000 residents have already made their voices clear. I told them they have a responsibility as public servants to listen to the people they represent. I briefly outlined the impacts this proposed data center could have on our community, and I urged them to vote NO.
But the most important part of my speech was making sure YOUR voices were heard too. I ended my speech by reading several comments directly from people who signed the petition — real concerns from real Joliet residents.
Unfortunately, despite everything that happened last night, the Joliet Plan Commission recommended approval of the data center in a 7–1 vote today.
I’m going to be completely honest with you all…
The news of the vote today felt like a SLAP IN THE FACE to the Joliet community. After hundreds of residents showed up. After nearly four hours of public comment. After people poured their hearts out explaining why they oppose this project, for all but ONE commissioner to vote yes is incredibly disappointing.
Between the very obvious fast tracked and rushed timeline to get this approved, months of delayed meetings, the marketing spin calling it the “Joliet Technology Center,” and the overall COMPLETE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY surrounding this project? It raises some serious concerns. Too often we see government officials prioritize corporate interests over the people they represent.
Let me ask you something:
Do YOU feel like you had a real say in this? Do you want a massive data center in your backyard, or your neighbor’s? The answer is probably no.
This is not the outcome we all hoped for but the fight is NOT over yet.
In just 10 days, the Joliet City Council will vote on March 16th at 5 PM. That means there is NO TIME TO WASTE. We need to BOOST and BOOST this petition even more, because many residents still have no idea how this project could impact our community or that this is even happening.
I am so INCREDIBLY proud of the residents who showed up last night. You guys are amazing. So many lifelong Joliet residents spoke with passion and conviction. So many impactful statements were made. It was clear how deeply people care about this city and its future. WE LOVE JOLIET. I will also link the full Special Plan Commission meeting below for anyone who wants to watch the public comments.
I want to end with one final reminder that everyone in Joliet needs to hear LOUD AND CLEAR:
Our city officials are 100% aware of how deeply unpopular this proposal is. They know thousands of residents oppose it. And yet they are still pushing it forward. Let me remind everyone of something very important:
They work for US.
They were elected to represent the people of Joliet — not corporations, not developers, and not backroom deals.
If they are going to ignore the voices of their constituents, then we have a responsibility to make those voices impossible to ignore.
So here is my challenge to every single person reading this:
Do not sit on the sidelines.
Do not assume someone else will speak up. And DO NOT let this decision get pushed through quietly. Between now and March 16th, we NEED to turn up the pressure.
Share the petition everywhere. Email your council members. Call their offices. Request meetings with them. SHOW UP to the City Council meeting. Bring your neighbors. Bring your friends. Bring your family. DEMAND transparency from the City of Joliet.
We need to make it clear that the people of Joliet are paying attention. Because when elected officials forget who they work for, it’s the job of the community to remind them. And if they still choose to ignore the citizens of Joliet and vote yes anyway?
We’ll remind them who they work for again — at the ballot box. AND. VOTE. THEM. OUT.
Who’s ready to keep fighting for Joliet? I am! Are you? Here’s how YOU can help right now!
Before the March 16th City Council vote, we have one goal:
10,000 signatures.
Right now we are at 3,311 — which means we are already a third of the way there. Imagine the message it sends to city leaders if thousands more Joliet residents add their names in the next 10 days.
So here’s the challenge:
If every person reading this gets just FIVE more people to sign the petition, whether that be friends, family, coworkers, neighbors — we will BLOW past that goal.
Five people. That’s it.
Text it to them. Post it on your Facebook page. Share it in community groups. Send it to your coworkers. Because the bigger this number gets, the harder it becomes for city officials to pretend the community doesn’t care.
Let’s show them exactly how many people are paying attention.
Let’s get this to 10,000 signatures before March 16th. Let’s fight for Joliet, together!
THANK YOU ALL! ❤️
Check out the links below!
Special Plan Commission Meeting March 5th, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/live/VWNT_BloF0g?si=wWmxhhNbKrVmgRvH
Also, if you want to hear my public comment, skip to all the way to 5:00!
Letter Writing Workshop TOMORROW March 7th, 2026
1:30pm-3:30pm
Critical Grind • 852 Sharp Dr, Shorewood, IL 60404 US (if you sign up through the link, there will be a virtual link for those who can’t attend in-person)