Illinoisans Overwhelmingly Support Data Center Regulation as POWER Act Advances
Poll Shows Two Thirds Back Bill That Would Require Facilities to Cover Their Own Energy and Water Costs
SPRINGFIELD — A new poll reveals that 68 percent of Illinois voters support regulating data centers, with support climbing to 75 percent when people hear more details about what the proposed legislation would accomplish. The findings come as the POWER Act advances through the state legislature, a bill designed to hold data center companies accountable for their environmental impact.
The poll, conducted March 16 through March 19, 2026 by Global Strategy Group, surveyed 800 likely Illinois voters on behalf of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition. The results show broad public backing for measures that would require data centers to pay their own way rather than passing costs to everyday customers.
The Cost Concern
Fifty-two percent of respondents identified rising utility bills as their primary concern tied to data centers. These facilities power internet services and artificial intelligence systems, running nonstop and requiring massive amounts of electricity and water for cooling. Some data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day.
The polling also revealed that while data centers make up approximately 1 percent of electricity demand, they are linked to a 595 percent increase in certain capacity costs. That cost pool totals about $1.7 billion, with most of it being passed to other customers through utility bills.
What the POWER Act Would Require
The POWER Act, formally known as Senate Bill 4016 and House Bill 5513, focuses on who pays for data center operations. The bill would require data centers to:
- Cover their own energy and water use
- Provide their own clean energy and storage to power their operations
- Report their water sourcing and usage
- Pay their fair share of water infrastructure costs
- Use efficient cooling systems to reduce water consumption
Ninety-one percent of voters said they want to prohibit data centers from shifting their energy costs to consumer bills, while 91 percent also support requiring data centers to provide their own clean energy and storage. Eighty-four percent strongly agree that cost-shifting should be outlawed, while 70 percent strongly support requiring centers to provide their own clean energy and storage.
State Senator Ram Villivalam and State Representative Robyn Gabel from Evanston introduced the legislation. The bill adds more community input before projects move forward and requires an analysis that a data center will not increase harmful health, water, and environmental impacts on vulnerable communities. Ninety-two percent of voters support this requirement, with 79 percent strongly agreeing.
The Energy Challenge
Energy demand in Commonwealth Edison territory could double by 2040, in part driven by data centers. Brian Granahan, director of the Illinois Power Agency, told a House Executive Committee that there is more demand pending in the customer connection queue than traditionally had on the system.
"If all the projects in our pipeline come to be and they all reach their maximum, requested demand will more than double our system peak. It took us 120 years to achieve, roughly by 2040," said Max Leichtman, director of economic and workforce development at ComEd.
Sarah Moskowitz, director of Citizens Utility Board, noted that the POWER Act includes a requirement that data centers be put in their own rate class. She said that if growth continues, costs for serving these facilities could reach between $24 and $37 billion in Illinois over the next 24 years, adding up to $70 per month in a typical bill.
Governor Pritzkers Position
Governor JB Pritzker proposed a two-year moratorium on state data center construction tax breaks. The governor stood by his proposal but offered the possibility of a compromise. Advocates say the POWER Act's requirement that data center companies invest in renewable energy would allow them to come online faster and potentially beat their competitors.
Legislative Status
The House held a hearing on the chamber version of the POWER Act on April 8. Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, who chairs the House Executive Committee, said she wanted to hear about the benefits and challenges of data centers as the General Assembly considers regulations.
"Whatever we do here, we have to put people first," Williams said. "We have to put communities first. Data is important, business is important, revenues are important, but people must come first."
The Senate held a marathon hearing over two days on various bills dealing with artificial intelligence and data centers. The final data center hearing, focused on water, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22.
Mixed Local Perspectives
Mayors from Aurora and DeKalb offered competing views on data centers. DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes praised the Meta data center that started construction in 2020 and was finished in 2023. Barnes said Meta invested heavily in DeKalb by contributing to the nonprofit community and paying tens of millions in property and utility taxes. The facility's 2024 tax bill was $32.1 million, representing 11 percent of total taxes generated in DeKalb County.
Barnes said DeKalb did not require Meta to meet any standards or requirements before construction began, and he worries that requirements might drive further development away.
Aurora Mayor John Laesch, however, said residents have raised concerns about noise from data centers and the impact on the power grid. Residents living near data centers have described a constant low frequency hum day and night that is persistent and affects sleep quality.
Aurora currently has five data centers in operation and five more under construction. In March, Aurora enacted ordinances requiring data center developers to conduct studies dealing with noise, water consumption and energy needs. The ordinances also require future data centers to meet standards for noise, vibrations, water use and energy use.
Labor and Agricultural Concerns
Labor representatives generally opposed regulations, arguing that too many rules would risk companies choosing to do business elsewhere. Marc Poulos, executive director of the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, said the fact is data centers are being built and the question is whether Illinois is ready to build them here.
Bill Bodine of the Illinois Farm Bureau said farmers support bring your own energy proposals but want reassurance that new renewable energy sources are not developed on land that could be used for farming. Farmers are most concerned about how data centers use land and water.
Bodine called for water use reports and water withdrawal plans reviewed by the Illinois State Water Survey as well as efficiency standards for energy and water use. He also asked for a decommissioning plan so facilities could be removed easily if their technology becomes obsolete.
Regional Impact
Aurora Mayor Laesch said while the city has tried to address issues locally, water and energy need to be addressed regionally or at the state level. Those requirements in Aurora mimic provisions in the POWER Act.
Eric Whitfield, director of economic development for Ameren, said his company is looking to do something similar to charge large-load projects, though it already has some consumer protections. Large-load projects do not move forward unless detailed engineering reviews confirm the system can serve them safely.
The Path Forward
The POWER Act represents a significant shift in how Illinois approaches data center development. With 68 percent of voters supporting regulation and support rising to 75 percent when people understand the details, legislators face considerable pressure to advance the bill this spring.
The final data center hearing focused on water will take place on Wednesday, April 22. Lawmakers expect to consider the POWER Act throughout the spring session as they balance economic development needs with environmental and community concerns.
Sources:
- Chicago Sun-Times, "Most Illinoisans OK with data centers — as long they're strictly regulated," by Rich Miller, April 18, 2026, https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/04/18/data-centers-water-bills-climate-change-water-bills-power-act-rich-miller
- FOX 32 Chicago, "Illinois voters back plan to shift data center energy costs, poll finds," by Terrence Lee, April 13, 2026, https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-voters-back-plan-shift-data-center-energy-costs-poll-finds
- WJBC AM 1230, "Energy demand in ComEd territory could double by 2040, in part driven by data centers," by Nikoel Hytrek, April 17, 2026, https://wjbc.com/2026/04/17/energy-demand-in-comed-territory-could-double-by-2040-in-part-driven-by-data-centers
- Sang-Joan Review, "Illinoisans rally for data center regulations. Here's what they said," April 13, 2026, https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2026/04/13/illinois-house-hears-from-mayors-activists-on-data-center-impact/89536162007/