Pritzker: Data Centers Must Pay Their Fair Share for Power

Governor says data centers can't threaten to raise home and small business electricity rates

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has weighed in on the debate over a proposed data center in Sangamon County, saying that if data centers are approved, they must pay their fair share for electricity and not impact power rates for homes and small businesses. Pritzker stated that the state has taken steps to expand renewable energy and nuclear power to ensure the grid can support data centers, but that the facilities cannot threaten to raise electricity rates.

Why it matters

Data centers are a growing industry in Illinois, but there are concerns from local residents that they can be a burden on power grids and the environment. Pritzker's comments indicate the state will take a firm stance that data centers must pay their way and not negatively impact electricity costs for homes and small businesses.

The details

The Sangamon County Board is set to vote on a proposed data center next month, with the public expected to make more comments on it beforehand. Pritzker said the state has lifted a moratorium on new nuclear power development and expanded solar and wind energy to ensure the grid can handle data centers, but he warned that the facilities cannot threaten to raise electricity rates. The governor stated that if data centers do threaten rate hikes, the state will "slow them down" and make sure they understand their responsibilities.

  • The Sangamon County Board is expected to vote on a recommendation for the proposed data center as soon as next week.
  • The full County Board vote on the data center proposal has been moved to next month to accommodate expected public interest.

The players

JB Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois, who has weighed in on the debate over a proposed data center in Sangamon County, stating that data centers must pay their fair share for electricity and not impact power rates for homes and small businesses.

Sangamon County Board

The county governing body that is set to vote on a proposed data center, with the public expected to make comments on it beforehand.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've got to make sure we've got the electricity available, and, that we're not affecting people's rates on their bills they're receiving at home, or small business are receiving at their businesses.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (Capitol City Now)

“I do not want to add data centers that are not paying their fair share, and making sure that we're not affecting home rates in any way by having data centers in the state. If they do threaten to raise rates, we've got to slow them down and make sure they understands what they're responsibilities are. We're going to be looking at in the legislature in the spring.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (Capitol City Now)

What’s next

The Sangamon County Zoning Board is expected to vote on a recommendation for the proposed data center as soon as next week, with the full County Board vote scheduled for next month.

The takeaway

Pritzker's comments indicate the state of Illinois will take a firm stance that data centers must pay their fair share for electricity and not negatively impact power rates for homes and small businesses. This highlights the balancing act between supporting the growing data center industry and protecting ratepayers, as the state works to ensure the grid can handle increased demand from these facilities.