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Gov. Pritzker pauses data center subsidies
The POWER Act, which would have regulated data centers in Illinois, failed to advance before the legislative deadline, leaving pending projects without new state guardrails. Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has paused data center tax incentives and is pushing for stricter standards on energy use, water consumption and community impact. Joining us to discuss the implications is Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.
Gov. JB Pritzker suspends tax breaks for data centers, urges more discussion
In a surprise move, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday that he is putting a pause on all new state tax incentives for data centers and calling on lawmakers to pass new data center reforms during the fall veto session.
In a Years-Long Fight, the Illinois Environmental Justice Movement Gets a Win
A bill, newly passed by legislators, will expand the state’s capacity to enforce limits on health-harming emissions in overburdened communities.
Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers
Illinois lawmakers passed one of the nation’s strictest AI safety policies last week, but the state still lags behind Florida and Tennessee when it comes to regulating the buildings that make AI use possible: data centers.
POWER Act data center regulation won’t move forward this spring
“The ICJC supports continued education (about the POWER Act), but communities around the state have spoken and are demanding action from lawmakers to address the impact the influx of data centers has on our utility bills, water resources, and communities,” said Hannah Flath, a spokesperson for the Illinois Environmental Council, on behalf of the Clean Jobs Coalition. “We’re calling on legislative leaders to convene a negotiating table by the end of June to negotiate and work toward passing the POWER Act.”
Capitol Dispatch 6.1.26: That’s a wrap on the 2026 Spring Legislative Session
Quick look at what did and didn’t pass this session.
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Gov. Pritzker pauses data center subsidies
The POWER Act, which would have regulated data centers in Illinois, failed to advance before the legislative deadline, leaving pending projects without new state guardrails. Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has paused data center tax incentives and is pushing for stricter standards on energy use, water consumption and community impact. Joining us to discuss the implications is Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.
Gov. JB Pritzker suspends tax breaks for data centers, urges more discussion
In a surprise move, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday that he is putting a pause on all new state tax incentives for data centers and calling on lawmakers to pass new data center reforms during the fall veto session.
In a Years-Long Fight, the Illinois Environmental Justice Movement Gets a Win
A bill, newly passed by legislators, will expand the state’s capacity to enforce limits on health-harming emissions in overburdened communities.
Illinois regulates AI safety but not data centers
Illinois lawmakers passed one of the nation’s strictest AI safety policies last week, but the state still lags behind Florida and Tennessee when it comes to regulating the buildings that make AI use possible: data centers.
POWER Act data center regulation won’t move forward this spring
“The ICJC supports continued education (about the POWER Act), but communities around the state have spoken and are demanding action from lawmakers to address the impact the influx of data centers has on our utility bills, water resources, and communities,” said Hannah Flath, a spokesperson for the Illinois Environmental Council, on behalf of the Clean Jobs Coalition. “We’re calling on legislative leaders to convene a negotiating table by the end of June to negotiate and work toward passing the POWER Act.”
Capitol Dispatch 6.1.26: That’s a wrap on the 2026 Spring Legislative Session
Quick look at what did and didn’t pass this session.