JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — In a significant move, the Joliet City Council has given the green light to a major data center initiative.
Plans are underway to construct what is anticipated to be the largest data facility in Illinois, strategically located near Bernhard and Rowell.
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Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty expressed optimism in a statement, highlighting that the annexation agreement establishes key guidelines for infrastructure and community benefits. This agreement is poised to propel the project responsibly forward, while also promising notable revenue increases for local taxing bodies and lasting financial advantages for the community.
Following extensive discussions and a marathon of public testimonies, the council has formally endorsed the Joliet Technology Center.
Thursday saw a bustling City Hall, brimming with residents. Many were eager about the potential economic boost, although some voiced concerns about the project’s impact on their livelihoods.
The vote saw overwhelming support, with only one council member dissenting on the proposal for the expansive 795-acre data center, which will be situated adjacent to the Chicagoland Speedway.
The vote comes after Monday’s meeting that went more than six hours with dozens of people voicing their concerns about the project that will house 24 buildings at the intersection of Rowell and Bernhard.
“They don’t care,” said Craig Doorneweerd, who lives next to proposed facility. “They don’t give a darn about the residents of Joliet my house is going to be less than 300 feet from the data center. You wanna buy my house?”
Local union workers packed the council chambers, urging members to bring this project to Joliet.
“We can’t turn our backs on jobs in that kind of capacity for that long of a term,” said Doc Gregory, president of Will Grundy Building Trades. “You’re looking at probably 1,200 people working day and night, which is huge for us.”
Many other Joliet residents have been frustrated with this project, expressing concerns about the environmental impacts of a technology center near their homes.
“I just moved here three years ago I was supper excited, a millennial trying to do right, go to school, get a job, get a house,” said Velshay Stokes, who lives next to facility. “Now I feel stuck. I feel we weren’t heard. There’s not information, so it’s pretty scary.”
Joliet officials say the project is expected to generate $310 million in property taxes over the next 30 years. In that same time, they expect substantial revenue to come in, with $670 million going to the Joliet Township High School District, $146 million for Will County and $76 million for Joliet Junior College.
As construction planning now officially begins, officials say this will also create 700 permanent onsite jobs, as well as 7,000 to 10,000 locally sourced construction jobs.
“We’re construction guys they’re saying 8,500 jobs for almost five years,” Gregory said. “That is a huge project for us .”
Many people say they understand that economic impact but don’t believe it’s worth the uncertainty that comes with this facility in the long run.
“Permanent damage that we may not be able to go back and change,” said a person named Carley who works in Joliet. “Jobs come and go, but our health and environment does not come back.”
Now that the project is officially in motion, developers say they hope to begin construction in early 2027.
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