Joliet’s Digital Future: City Council Weighs New Data Center Proposal Near Bernhard and Rowell

JOLIET, Ill. — The Joliet City Council meeting on Monday night was a scene of fervent opposition, as residents filled both the council chambers and several overflow rooms to express their disapproval of a proposed data center.

Developers are eyeing a site near Bernhard and Rowell for what would become the state’s largest data center. The proposed location spans approximately 800 acres of predominantly farmland, situated close to the Joliet speedway. This site has been earmarked for the Joliet Technology Center, a project that developers argue is perfectly suited for the area’s needs.

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The city’s plan commission has given its approval to the project. However, the majority of attendees at Monday’s meeting voiced their concerns and urged the city council to deny the proposal.

Among the issues raised by residents were potential environmental impacts, particularly regarding the center’s anticipated water and electricity usage. Noise pollution from the facility was another significant worry. These concerns echo those that have led other communities in the Chicago area to reject similar data center proposals.

In a show of organized opposition, one resident presented a petition with nearly 5,000 signatures against the development of the data center.

One resident presented nearly 5,000 petition signatures against the center.

Meanwhile, supporters of the development say it will provide thousands of construction jobs and 700 full-time jobs once the center is completed.

And the company has promised $100 million in payments directly to the city. Analysts have predicted that the site would generate about $2 billion annually in tax revenue.

A number of union leaders representing trade organizations urged the council to approve the center, saying it would create much needed jobs for the community. Joliet’s Chamber of Commerce agrees.

“The data center is a great project. That’s huge for Joliet,” said union leader Tom White.

The city council committed to letting everyone who wanted to speak get an opportunity. As of 10 p.m. Monday, the meeting had been going on for over four hours with no end sight.