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Archive for the ‘Data Center’ Category

The Lake County Board voted to pursue a temporary data center moratorium in unincorporated Lake County during its meeting earlier this month. The T5 Data Center Campus in Grayslake, which was approved last year by the Grayslake Village Board but has not been built (rendering pictured), has sparked criticism and caused debate about data centers in Lake County. | Provided Photo

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

The county board has voted to temporarily ban new data centers from being approved in unincorporated Lake County, with one board member saying they bring “serious concerns” and a regulatory review is needed.

The Lake County Board approved a resolution earlier this month to hold a public hearing related to data centers in unincorporated Lake County.

The resolution directs the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals to conduct the hearing, which will be used to discuss proposed amendments to the Code of Ordinances that would both define data centers and establish an eight-month temporary moratorium on data centers.

Data centers are not currently specifically defined or regulated under county ordinances.

The county board’s action earlier this month did not actually impose the eight-month moratorium, which will take several weeks to several months to complete the actual text amendment process.

The board’s approval of the resolution did authorize the Lake County Planning, Building and Development department to pause review of data center applications for a period of up to four months.

Article continues here.

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(Click on image to enlarge)

Notice is hereby given that the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, will hold a Public Hearing pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-15.1-3 of the Illinois Municipal Code to consider an Annexation Agreement Amendment by and between the Village of Hoffman Estates and H.E. Holdings, LLC (Owner) related to the property located on the north side of Higgins Road between Canadian National Railway on the west and Illinois Route 59 on the east, consisting of approximately 145 acres. P.I.Ns: Lot 1 (01-28-301-004, 01-33-100-003, 01-33-100-004)

The hearing will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 6:55 p.m. in the Hoffman Estates Municipal Building, 1900 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, IL.

The proposed Annexation Agreement Amendment would be an agreement that would terminate the Annexation Agreement dated May 1, 2017, and recorded in Cook County, Illinois, as document number 1712813016.

William D. McLeod
Village President
Board of Trustees
Published in Daily Herald June 18, 2026

Related:‘Wrong project, wrong place’: Critics push back on rezoning plan for potential Hoffman Estates data center,” “Change.org Petition: ‘Deny Rezoning of Plum Farms In Hoffman Estates’,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie shares an update on Hoffman Estates/Plum Farms Plan Commission meeting,” “Hoffman Estates plan commission rejects rezoning request for possible data center,” “Hoffman Estates Plan Commission rejects zoning change for new data center project,” “Hoffman Estates Plum Farm June 3rd Plan Commission Meeting Essentials,” “After being rejected in Naperville, company could build data center in Hoffman Estates,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie posts information regarding June 3 Hoffman Estates (Plum Farms) Plan Commission meeting,” “(Plum Farms) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 3,” “Hoffman Estates could see third data center campus with sale of Plum Farms property,” “Hoffman Estates approves sewer, water for development of 185 acres west of The Arboretum,” “Hoffman Estates approves tax incentive at routes 59, 72,” “District 220 lawsuit against Hoffman Estates, Plum Farms developers dismissed,” “South Barrington residents sue over Hoffman Estates development,” “Editorial: Listen to agencies that would feel consequences of Hoffman Estates development

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By Eric Peterson | Daily Herald

Hoffman Estates village board members Monday heard from critics of the proposed rezoning of the 186-acre Plum Farms property for a possible data center campus.

Although the issue wasn’t on the agenda, the board allowed half an hour for public comment.

Earlier this month, the village’s plan commission voted 4-2 against landowner Karis Critical of Florida’s request to rezone the site at Higgins Road and Route 59 to permit manufacturing. This classification could allow for a data center.

In January, Karis Critical’s proposal for a data center in Naperville was rejected by the city council there.

Monday’s opponents to the Hoffman Estates rezoning request included state representatives and candidates as well as the village presidents of neighboring South Barrington and Barrington Hills.

Critics from Hoffman Estates, South Barrington and Barrington Hills Monday voiced their opposition to rezoning of the 186-acre Plum Farms property at the northwest corner of routes 59 and 72 in Hoffman Estates that could allow a data campus there. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2019

Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin of Barrington Hills spoke to infrastructure pressures like increased water and electricity demand, pointing out that even Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker had recently paused the state’s economic incentive for data centers.

“If you’ve opened up an electrical bill lately, you know increased electricity demand is one of the problems with AI centers,” McLaughlin said. “Unfortunately, this has not been planned for well by Springfield politicians. And now, with potential AI center draw, it’s a double-whammy for utility payers and I cannot support this.”

Article continues here.

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The Hoffman Estates Board of trustees will meet Monday at 7 PM at 1900 Hassell Road.

As previously reported, “(The Plum Farms) data center development will not appear on the agenda of Monday’s village board meeting.” However, Friday South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie posted:

“The Plum Farms property zoning on rt 59 and 72 across from the Woods of South Barrington is not presently on the schedule for the Village Board meeting in Hoffman Estates on Monday, but while Mayor McCleod and the Hoffman Estates Trustees decide whether or not to take the Plan Commissions recommendation against the change of zoning allowing a data center, I encourage you to attend their next meeting on Monday the 15th. This gives their leaders time to consider residents voices while contemplating the way they will vote.”

A copy of the agenda can be viewed and downloaded here. Monday’s meeting will be available live via YouTube and the link can be found here.

Related:Hoffman Estates board won’t consider rezoning for potential data center Monday

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A list of Barrington Hills trustees who currently follow The Barrington Hills Observer posts on Facebook.

On Saturday, May 23rd, around 7:30 AM, we posted, “(Plum Farms) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 3,” shortly after we received a copy of a notice sign posted on Old Sutton Road. That post was sent to all subscribers of this publication’s website and all those following our Facebook page, including those Trustees pictured above.

Subsequent to our posting of the Hoffman Estates Plum Farms notice, we followed up with subtle hints to our Board of Trustees (BOT) to take action, including:

Shortly after the Hoffman Estates Plum Farms meeting ended on June 3rd, CBS News reported, “Hoffman Estates Plan Commission rejects zoning change for new data center project.” The next day, the Daily Herald reported, “Hoffman Estates plan commission rejects rezoning request for possible data center,” and residents were quick to react to the news commenting:

  • “NOT A SINGLE MEMBER OF THE BARRINGTON HILLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES WAS THERE THAT I SAW. WOW!!!!!”
  • “Where was the leadership from Barrington Hills? No one from the Board was there. Paula (McCombie)and the numerous South Barrington Trustees were there and stayed for the entire meeting. Grateful for their support.”

We also posted, “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie shares an update on Hoffman Estates/Plum Farms Plan Commission meeting,” last Friday, June 5th, but outside of the hearing notice posted on the Village Facebook page, residents heard absolutely nothing from our elected trustees.

Then on Monday, June 8th, our Village posted, “UPDATE: HOFFMAN ESTATES PLUM FARMS REZONING REQUEST” on their Facebook page (SeeVillage Board once again tests our tolerance for fabrications (BS)”) that included a letter from Brian Cecola that was clearly backdated to June 2nd, since:

  • No one is copied on the letter. That is unheard of considering the number of interested parties in the matter.
  • No one read the letter aloud at the Hoffman Estates Plum Farms hearing.
  • The letter would have been “shouted out” via social media and a press release June 2nd given the embarrassing position Cecola put himself in when he fronted a, “110 Acre AI data center campus pitched to Village Board,” next to Pond Gate last December that he caught Hell for.

It is well known that Mr. Cecola is not the sharpest tack in the box. However, he can be smart from time to time.  This is not one of those times and he has insulted the intelligence of residents and his peers.

As for not one member of our Board of Trustees attending the well-publicized Plum Farms hearing, shame on them. There is no excuse.

But to a person, BOT members will whine, “But the Director of Administration (Anna Paul) went to the meeting.” The problem is she is not an elected official of the Village of Barrington Hills. They need to be reminded she has no standing to act on behalf of the Village of Barrington Hills, nor does she present herself that way. The BOT, unfortunately, seems to conveniently forget this.

This Board must show up and speak their mind at the next Plum Farms meeting which may be July 6th. Not to do so would likely decimate any remaining credibility they may have among many residents.

Related:Village Board once again tests our tolerance for fabrications (BS),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Follow-up),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 3),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 2),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 1),” “7 things to know about Illinois data centers,” “Data Center group concerned over pause,” “110 Acre AI data center campus pitched to Village Board

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Hoffman Estates’ village board meeting Monday will not include consideration of the rezoning request for a potential data center proposal on the 186-acre Plum Farms property northwest of Higgins Road and Rout 59. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

Daily Herald report

A proposed rezoning of the 186-acre Plum Farms property in Hoffman Estates that could pave the way for a data center development will not appear on the agenda of Monday’s village board meeting.

When plan commissioners voted 4-2 against recommending the requested rezoning to manufacturing use June 3, Monday’s meeting was the earliest time the village board could consider it.

While the next village board meeting Monday, July 6, would be the next possibility, nothing has been confirmed for that date, Mayor Bill McLeod said.

More here.

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The Issue

“We need your support to stop Hoffman Estates Village Board from rezoning the 185-acre Plum Farms property at the northwest corner of 72/Higgins and Rt 59/New Sutton Rd from Mixed Residential and Retail to zoning that will allow for data centers, manufacturing, and distribution. Residents in Hoffman Estates, South Barrington, and Barrington Hills cherish the high quality of life, fresh air, and safe environment — not the 24/7 hum of diesel generators and industrial noise. Specifically, this petition request is to halt Hoffman Estates’ approval of a zoning change that would allow for a third data center property within a few miles of two existing data centers. A data center situated across the road from hundreds of residents and very close to two other data centers is not a reasonable location. The noise, diesel emissions, and industrial-scale activity don’t belong near homes, many retail, restaurants, and wonderful outdoor venues on the South and East side of Rt. 72 and Rt. 59.

Local residents, city and state officials, environmental, and public health advocates voiced their concerns at the June 3 Hoffman Estates Plan Commission Meeting regarding the Plum Farm rezoning request. Hoffman Estates Planning Board recently voted at the end of a long evening against the rezoning request, with a vote of 4 to 2.  However, the decision now rests with the Village Board, which is not obligated to adhere to the Planning Commission’s recommendation.  We need to get everyone’s voice to each and every Village Trustee to ensure they understand the voice of the people, and to accept the recommendation of their own Planning Board.”

View and please sign the petition here, then share.

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The following was posted late this afternoon to the Village Facebook page:

UPDATE: HOFFMAN ESTATES PLUM FARMS REZONING REQUEST

On June 3, 2026, the Hoffman Estates Plan Commission held a public hearing regarding a request to rezone the Plum Farms property from TN Traditional Neighborhood and C-MU Commercial Mixed Use to M-2 Manufacturing. The property is located north of Higgins Road between the Canadian National Railway and New Sutton Road.

President Brian D. Cecola submitted written public comment on behalf of the Village of Barrington Hills, expressing concern that a broad industrial zoning classification at this location would not be appropriate. While no specific development plan was before the Plan Commission, M-2 zoning would allow a range of industrial uses, including, among other uses, a data center. Director of Administration Anna Paul attended the meeting on behalf of the Village.

There were nearly three hours of public testimony; all speakers who provided testimony spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning. Following public comment and discussion, the Plan Commission voted 2-4 on the recommendation, meaning the motion to recommend approval did not pass.

The Village of Barrington Hills hopes the Hoffman Estates Village Board will accept the Plan Commission’s recommendation and not approve the proposed rezoning to M-2.

The date for Hoffman Estates Village Board consideration of the rezoning request has not yet been determined. At the meeting, Hoffman Estates officials stated that the item was not anticipated to appear on the June 15 agenda. The next regular Village Board meeting after that is scheduled for July 6, with the agenda required to be posted no later than 48 hours before the meeting.

The Village of Barrington Hills will continue to monitor this matter and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

TO READ PRESIDENT CECOLA’S WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT, FOLLOW THE LINK

We’ll be posting our comments on this “update”  very soon.

Related:Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Follow-up),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 3),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 2),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 1),” “7 things to know about Illinois data centers,” “Data Center group concerned over pause,” “110 Acre AI data center campus pitched to Village Board

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Pritzker, who is widely viewed as having 2028 White House aspirations, is tapping into an issue seen as important to voters. | Photo: İsmail Enes Ayhan / Unsplash

By Natasha Korecki | NBC News 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday plans to temporarily halt offering tax breaks to data centers that apply to build in the state and intends to call on lawmakers and other groups to hash out a framework in the fall veto session for how the centers should be developed.

In a plan first shared with NBC News, Pritzker will announce he will pause the processing of any applications to the tax incentive program handled by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity beginning July 1.

Pritzker called on state lawmakers this year to suspend incentives for two years while they hammer out a comprehensive review of the impact centers are having on communities.

Pritzker is making the move after lawmakers did not act. The governor cannot unilaterally halt the program, but the executive branch does wield some control over processing applications, according to his office.

By taking on the massive buildings that power artificial intelligence, Pritzker, who is running for a third term and is widely viewed as having 2028 White House aspirations, is tapping into an issue seen as important to voters.

“Illinois has an opportunity to continue leading in technological innovation and economic growth, but we also have a responsibility to protect working families and local communities as the data center industry rapidly expands,” he said in a statement. “I am directing my administration to pause the processing of data center agreements while we continue working with the General Assembly and stakeholders on a comprehensive framework that protects affordability, safeguards our natural resources, and ensures responsible growth across Illinois.”

An NBC News poll this year revealed that nationally, Americans believe the dangers of AI outweigh its benefits. The proliferation of data centers has sparked controversy across the country. An expanding number of states are trying to curb their development, while others are trying to end tax breaks.

Full report plus video(s) can be found here as well as this report we missed earlier this week: “Residents push back against possible idea for third data center in Hoffman Estates.”

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South Barrington Village President Paula McCombie adds her voice to that of 45 others criticizing a proposal for the rezoning of the 186-acre Plum Farms property at Higgins Road and Route 59 for a possible data center before the Hoffman Estates plan commission Wednesday night. | Eric Peterson/epeterson@dailyherald.com

By Eric Peterson | Daily herald

Hoffman Estates plan commissioners voted 4-2 Wednesday to recommend against rezoning the 186-acre Plum Farms property to manufacturing for a possible data center proposal.

The vote was called after 46 members of the public unanimously urged rejection of the request for an unspecified development by landowner Karis Critical of Florida, which saw a data center proposal in Naperville rejected in January.

Speakers opposed to the rezoning urged the board’s rejection of the proposal without knowing what would go there. They complained a data center would create environmental issues.

Most speakers were from Hoffman Estates, South Barrington or Barrington Hills. But independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett of Palatine, Democratic state Rep. Nabeela Syed of Inverness and Democratic candidate for state representative Maria Peterson of North Barrington were also drawn by the chorus of discontent.

South Barrington Village President Paula McCombie said her village and Hoffman Estates have had a long history of understanding that what happens in one community affects the other. She found the rezoning request out of sync with their mutual development of retail uses in that area.

“I’m not a resident of Hoffman Estates but we should be strategic partners,” McCombie said.

The full article can be found here.

Related:Hoffman Estates Plan Commission rejects zoning change for new data center project,” “Hoffman Estates Plum Farm June 3rd Plan Commission Meeting Essentials,” “After being rejected in Naperville, company could build data center in Hoffman Estates,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie posts information regarding June 3 Hoffman Estates (Plum Farms) Plan Commission meeting,” “(Plum Farms) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 3,” “Hoffman Estates could see third data center campus with sale of Plum Farms property,” “Hoffman Estates approves sewer, water for development of 185 acres west of The Arboretum,” “Hoffman Estates approves tax incentive at routes 59, 72,” “District 220 lawsuit against Hoffman Estates, Plum Farms developers dismissed,” “South Barrington residents sue over Hoffman Estates development,” “Editorial: Listen to agencies that would feel consequences of Hoffman Estates development

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