Submission of public question by referendum to Chicago 40th Ward voters on February 23, 2027 primary election on supporting moratorium on establishment, construction or expansion of new data center facilities within Chicago to address community concerns such as natural resource depletion, utility rate increases and fair regulatory framework

• Record number: R2026-0028519
• Type: Resolution; category: City Council
• Status: In Committee
• Sponsor: Andre Vasquez Jr. (40th Ward)
• Committee: Committee on Committees and Rules
• Submitted Date: Sep 18, 2026
• Introduction Date: Sep 23, 2026
• Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Impact report

Written by AI from the official document. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This resolution would put an advisory question on the February 23, 2027 ballot asking 40th Ward voters whether they support a pause on new or expanded data centers in Chicago.

Who it affects

• 40th Ward voters: They would see a yes-or-no question on their ballot about supporting a moratorium on new data center facilities in Chicago.
• Data center companies and developers: The ballot question asks voters whether they support a pause on building, starting, or expanding new data centers in the city.
• Chicago utility customers: The question names utility rate increases as one of the community concerns a moratorium would address.
• City Clerk and Chicago Board of Election Commissioners: The City Clerk must certify the question to the Board of Election Commissioners so it can appear on the ballot.

What changes

• 40th Ward voters would answer a yes-or-no question about a data center moratorium at the February 23, 2027 election.
• The question would appear in all precincts of the 40th Ward.
• The City Clerk would send the question to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

Where: 40th Ward; City of Chicago

When: Upon passage; the question would appear on the ballot on February 23, 2027.