Springfield, IL – Calling for a temporary moratorium on new data center development across Illinois, State Senator Darby Hills (R-Barrington Hills) has introduced legislation to protect neighborhoods, preserve local control, and address growing concerns about water consumption, contamination risks, and noise pollution associated with large-scale data centers.
“People are worried, and they have every right to be,” said Senator Hills. “When projects this large are proposed near homes and neighborhoods like Barrington, residents deserve a seat at the table. As data centers continue to grow across Illinois, we must ensure innovation and economic development do not come at the expense of local communities or our natural resources.”
Hills said the issue became especially personal after a proposed data center project was discussed near her own hometown, raising concerns from residents about placing massive industrial facilities close to residential neighborhoods.
“I’ve heard directly from families who are concerned about water usage, noise pollution, and the impact these developments could have on their quality of life,” Hills said. “That’s why I believe we need a moratorium on new data center development for at least one year so Illinois can properly study these projects and put the right guardrails in place to protect our communities.”
In the meantime, Hills filed Senate Bill 1050 to ensure local communities maintain control over decisions involving data center development.
The legislation would allow counties and municipalities to establish standards related to the size, height, design, and geographic concentration of data centers. The bill also strengthens local authority over where these facilities may be located and prevents a data center from being approved within three miles of residential communities or another municipality’s boundaries without that municipality’s written consent.
Additionally, Senate Bill 1050 gives local governments the authority to adopt protections related to water usage, water conservation, contamination prevention, water reuse, and noise mitigation. All issues Hills says communities across Illinois are increasingly concerned about as data centers rapidly expand nationwide.
The legislation also requires public notice and at least one public hearing before a siting decision can be made, ensuring residents have an opportunity to weigh in on projects that could significantly impact their neighborhoods.
“Good policy starts with listening to the people directly affected,” Hills said. “Residents raised serious concerns, and this legislation is focused on giving communities stronger protections, cleaner safeguards for our water and environment, and a greater role in the decision-making process.”
Senate Bill 1050 is on third reading in the Senate and awaits further action.
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