Why are more elected officials calling for restrictions on data centers?

Interview by Sasha-Ann Simons and Excerpt by Lynnea Domienik for WBEZ Chicago: 

A growing number of politicians, and candidates, on both sides of the political aisle, are calling for restrictions and moratoriums on new data center construction until there are national guidelines. Including a new executive order in Chicago.

In the Loop looks back at how data centers have become such a hot button issue in this election cycle.

GUESTS: Michael Bennett, associate vice chancellor for data science and AI strategy at University of Illinois Chicago and Jen Walling, executive director for the Illinois Environmental Council.

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Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Tuesday directing city departments to intensify scrutiny of new data centers in Chicago — a politically potent move that doesn’t unilaterally impose new limits on the fast-growing industry, but could slow its growth.
Every year, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issues a voting scorecard that grades members of the Illinois General Assembly on how they voted for bills affecting the environment.
Richard Chew is joined by Dany Robles, senior legislative director at the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC); he talks about IEC's 2026 Legislative Environmental Scorecard.