Illinois & Chicago: The Data Center Boom Study guide

What are the details about the Microsoft “Hyperscale” project, and where is it located?

Located in Hoffman Estates / Aurora, massive campuses designed specifically to power AI. Residents in Aurora have recently raised concerns about the noise and smell from backup diesel generators.

What are the details about the google data center, and where is it located?

Located in The Loop (Thompson Center). Google is transforming the iconic Thompson Center into a massive data hub, bringing AI processing directly into the heart of Chicago.

What are the details about the meta (facebook) site and where is it located?

Locating in DeKalb, a billion-dollar expansion that uses significant amounts of local water and energy from the Illinois grid.

What are the details about the other planned sites and where is it located?

It is in the O’hare area/ South suburbs. Numerous "data center alleys" are forming near Elk Grove Village and Franklin Park.

What would the POWER act require data centers to do?

1. Pay for any utility rate hikes they cause for residents.

2. Build their own renewable energy (solar/wind) rather than just taking from the public grid.

3. Publicly report exactly how much water they are "sipping" from our local supply.

What are one of the costs data centers in Illinois?

• Higher Electricity Rates: Data centers are "energy hogs." it can drive up wholesale electricity prices. In some regions, costs have risen significantly as the grid struggles to keep up with the new demand.

What can happen to the water in Illinois due to the amount of data centers being built in the area?

• Water Scarcity: Even though we have Lake Michigan, data centers in suburbs like Aurora or Bloomington can use up to 5 million gallons of water a day for cooling. This puts a strain on local aquifers and municipal systems, especially during drought periods.

What effect do these data centers have on people/ buildings AC’s?

The "Heat Island" Effect: The massive amount of heat exhausted by these buildings can raise local temperatures by 1–2°F, potentially increasing your own home's AC costs in the summer.

What kind of taxes are needed to power these stations and what do they do?

• Hidden Infrastructure Taxes: New transmission lines and substations needed to power these centers are often subsidized by regular ratepayers (you and your neighbors) through "delivery charges" on utility bills.