West Chicago, Illinois Development News

City Council Approves Six-Month Moratorium on New Data Centers and Battery Storage Systems

The City Council considered and approved a six-month moratorium on new data centers and battery energy storage systems across all zoning districts. This decision follows a surge in requests for information about data centers and concerns raised by residents regarding water usage, energy consumption, environmental impact, and public health. The moratorium is intended to provide time for the city to gather data and develop appropriate regulations, as new data center applications are currently permitted by right, preventing retroactive restrictions. A data center is already under construction on Washington Street, approved in 2024 before the moratorium was considered. The council acknowledged legal constraints on reversing past decisions but aims to establish clear guidelines for future development.