Call on Illinois General Assembly to pass POWER Act to establish environmental, water, and energy standards for new hyperscale data centers in Illinois
- Record number: R2026-0025263
- Type: Resolution; category: Illinois, State Of
- Status: In Committee
- Sponsor: Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward)
- Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy
- Submitted Date: May 13, 2026
- Introduction Date: May 20, 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 asks the Illinois General Assembly to pass the POWER Act, which would set environmental, water, and energy rules for new hyperscale data centers in Illinois.
Who it affects
- Residential electricity customers: The POWER Act would stop data centers from shifting their energy costs onto home ratepayers.
- Data center operators: New hyperscale data centers would have to pay for their own energy infrastructure, use renewable energy, report water use, get permits, and pay into a public fund.
- Communities near data centers: Affected communities would be engaged by data centers, get community benefits agreements, and receive help from a fund for energy affordability, air quality monitoring, and water infrastructure.
- Residents and businesses paying for power: The resolution notes a state report warning that data center demand may lead to power shortages and higher electricity costs.
What changes
- The City Council would officially urge the state to pass the POWER Act; the resolution itself does not create new rules.
- New hyperscale data centers would have to pay for their own energy infrastructure and use renewable energy.
- Data centers would have to track and publicly report their water use and meet water efficiency standards.
- Data centers would need permits, environmental impact assessments, and community benefits agreements.
- A new fund paid for by data center operators would support energy affordability, air quality monitoring, and water improvements.
Money
- At least 27 data centers in Illinois have received nearly $1 billion in estimated lifetime state tax benefits.
- Data center operators would fund a Public Benefits and Affordability Fund for impacted communities under the POWER Act.
Where: Illinois; Chicago; 36th Ward