Question of the day
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Politico…
Gov. JB Pritzker’s push to pause state tax incentives for new data centers for two years is facing political pushback in Springfield, even as polling suggests a majority of Illinoisans oppose the massive, energy-intensive facilities being built in their communities. […]
This has played out at local government meetings from Joliet to Sangamon County as angry constituents push back on data center construction in their communities. This week, for example, Lockport suspended data center discussions following a community outcry, according to the Daily Southtown. […]
Environmental groups also support a pause, especially after lawmakers failed to advance the POWER Act, which addressed the industry’s electricity demand and rising consumer costs.
Unions, however, oppose freezing tax incentives because it could stall projects that create temporary construction jobs. That split has left some Democratic lawmakers in a familiar bind — weighing affordability and community concerns against union clout. And in an election year, that could make it harder for lawmakers to side with public sentiment.
Unions say pausing the incentives would mean the data centers would instead pop up across state lines while using the same electric grid, or be constructed in Illinois with non-union labor.
Considering the gerrymandered legislative map and the so-far really bad national Republican year, at least some Democratic legislators are more worried about keeping their union allies happy (and contributing to their campaigns) than upsetting their constituents by failing to do anything meaningful about a topic that polls worse than Ebola.
Also, when the enviros and the unions are split on legislation, the bills generally go nowhere. No center ground has been found on data centers as of yet.
…Adding… More than 40 legislators have signed a letter demanding a two-year moratorium. Click here to read it.
* The Question: Should state incentives for data centers be paused for two years? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
- Homebody - Friday, May 29, 26 @ 12:36 pm:
I understand using tax incentives to lure businesses to set up shop can be a net benefit compared to not having those businesses come at all, but data centers produce even fewer jobs and future in state economic activity than even sprawling Amazon warehouses do. At least the warehouse is employing people. The data centers just suck up power and water.
I’d have less concern about data center growth if their existence didn’t drive up electricity costs and water consumption for regular people.
Corporations have far more resources than average residents, and when they are competing for things like water and power, they can always pay more than individuals can. We need to ensure residential water and power, the utilities and resources necessary for basic living, are protected first, before encouraging more data centers.
- DuPage Saint - Friday, May 29, 26 @ 12:45 pm:
I voted yes. Two years is not an awfully long time. Gather information and see what is best for Illinois
- Jack in Chatham - Friday, May 29, 26 @ 12:46 pm:
I voted Yes. However I don’t support giving State incentives for these valuable data centers, ever. For neary 100 years the rich have not been paying into the Social Security Trust fund which is to support Widows, Orphans, the Disabled and the Elderly due to the maximum earnings limit which is currently $184,500. Further there has been a lack of discussion and false narratives regarding the true nature of these massive data centers and their intended uses and purposes. Read and study up on Cryptocurrency and how it can be used to track, control and limit spending to know more. Sigh. Gotta run. Everyone have a pleasant weekend.