Full Breakdown
Chicago Mayor Proposes One-Year Moratorium on Data Center Development
By Drooid · · How we work
Proposed One-Year Moratorium
Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced an ordinance to pause construction of new data centers in Chicago for 12 months and halt “material expansion” of existing facilities. The measure gives the city’s task force time to draft regulations on energy use, water consumption, and pollution. The ordinance has been sent to the City Council’s rules committee for a first vote and will require further review before a full council decision.
Background and Context
Data centers—large facilities that power cloud computing and AI services—have multiplied across the United States. Chicago now hosts roughly 40 sites, while Cook County contains 109 centers with 12 additional projects planned. The growth has sparked local opposition over noise, utility-bill spikes, and water use. In August, Mayor Johnson issued an executive order establishing a task force to study these impacts. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker paused the state’s Data Center Investment Program in June, and several other cities have enacted temporary bans.
Key Figures
- Brandon Johnson – Mayor of Chicago – Proposed the moratorium and created the task force.
- Maria Hadden – Alderman, 49th Ward, Chair of the City Council Environmental Committee – Co-sponsor of the ordinance.
- Bill Conway – Alderman, 34th Ward – Opposes the moratorium and introduced an alternative zoning-based ordinance.
- Brad Tietz – Director, Data Center Coalition – Argues the ban would deter investment and union jobs.
- Jared Policicchio – First Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Department of Environment – Oversees the task force.
Data and Statistics
- Chicago’s existing data-center inventory: approximately 40 facilities.
- Cook County inventory: 109 data centers with 12 additional sites planned.
- The city tracks water and energy use for large commercial buildings but not for the 39-40 data centers.
Official Statements & Responses
Ald. Maria Hadden described the moratorium as a “year safeguard” that buys time for regulators to “catch up” and engage industry stakeholders.
Criticism & Opposition
Brad Tietz warned the ordinance would signal Chicago is “closed for business,” risking loss of investment, jobs, and tax revenue. He also said the ban could eliminate union jobs and undermine clean-energy projects tied to data-center development. Ald. Bill Conway called the moratorium insufficient, proposing a “common-sense” ordinance that would subject new facilities to Planned Development zoning and community review. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza noted an average data center uses less water than a golf course and urged a broader economic-development perspective.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact count of existing data centers: one report cites 39 facilities, another rounds to around 40. No final regulatory framework has been published, and the timeline for the task force’s recommendations—targeted for “mid-March”—remains uncertain. The procedural path of the ordinance is unclear, as committee maneuvers have already delayed its progress.
What’s Next
The task force is expected to deliver a draft regulatory strategy by mid-March. The moratorium ordinance must clear the rules committee before moving to the full City Council for a vote. Ald. Bill Conway plans to introduce his alternative zoning-based ordinance on the same day, setting up a parallel legislative battle. Ald. Marty Quinn’s procedural delay suggests the council’s timeline could extend beyond the proposed 12-month pause, leaving the city’s data-center landscape in limbo pending final policy decisions.