Mayor Brandon Johnson Signs Executive Order Creating Enhanced Regulatory Review for Data Centers in Chicago and Calls for a Temporary Data Center Moratorium
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CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an Executive Order establishing a set of regulatory safeguards related to data centers, a dedicated Data Centers Task Force to implement a holistic, long-term strategy. The Executive Order initiates a coordinated effort across City departments to strengthen Chicago's approach to data center development while expanding protections for clean air, clean water, affordable energy, and the health and quality of life of Chicago residents.

"Chicago will not allow unchecked development to strain our water supply, drive up energy costs, or compromise the health of our communities," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We are open to innovation and investment, but it must be done responsibly, transparently, and in partnership with the people most affected. This Executive Order ensures we are prepared to set strong standards that protect our residents first while still allowing for thoughtful, sustainable growth in a safer, more affordable Chicago."

This Executive Order consists of both immediate protective measures and concerted efforts designed to produce sustainable, meaningful change. As one of the first steps, the Johnson Administration will work in partnership with the City Council to advance legislation establishing a temporary moratorium on new data centers and the material expansion of existing facilities. A temporary moratorium is essential to ensure that no new data center development moves forward under an outdated regulatory framework while the City completes the deliberate, transparent, and comprehensive work of adopting the modern protections Chicagoans deserve.

The Executive Order establishes enhanced standards and provides for departmental enforcement while the City Council considers a temporary moratorium. Once a moratorium is enacted, the Executive Order's interim review provisions will give way to the Council's legislative action, allowing the City to focus on developing permanent regulations that protect Chicago's neighborhoods, infrastructure, and natural resources.

To that end, this Executive Order ensures:
  1. Enhanced evaluation of air pollution control permits to reduce harmful emissions from diesel backup generators;  
  2. New, data-center-specific rules for regulating noise produced by cooling equipment, generators, and other mechanical systems; and
  3. A cross‑departmental review process for Planned Developments that include data centers, assessing electricity demand, water use, generator impacts on noise and pollution, air emissions, noise, cumulative environmental burdens, and neighborhood effects.

Chicago is home to approximately 39 data centers, most of which were built under regulatory frameworks that did not adequately address the scale, energy intensity, and resource demands of today's facilities. Modern data centers can place significant pressure on electricity grids and water systems while also contributing to localized noise and air quality impacts. As this industry continues to expand, the City is asserting a more coordinated and protective approach to future siting and development decisions.

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The Interdepartmental Data Center Environment and Community Protection Task Force   created by this Executive Order will collaborate on a longer-term approach that ensures Chicagoans do not absorb disproportionate environmental, energy, or infrastructure burdens. Co-chaired by the Mayor's Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief of Policy, and with representatives from the Departments of Buildings, Environment, Planning and Development, Technology and Innovation, and Water Management, and other City agencies, the group will implement the recommendations of the Sustainable Data Centers Working Group to update regulations and create stronger standards for future data center development.

"Any time you build something, it is imperative to consider the impacts on the community that lives, works, and plays around it. With data centers of the past, those impacts were smaller, but modern data centers often place undue burden on their neighbors," said Chicago's Chief Sustainability Officer and Department of Environment Commissioner Angela Tovar. "With Mayor Johnson's Executive Order, we can implement stronger protections to ensure that any new data center is evaluated thoroughly and, in the long term, that all data centers provide true benefit to the communities around them."

Built upon the policy recommendations made by the City's Sustainable Data Centers Working Group in its July 2026 report, this Executive Order recognizes that data centers are part of Chicago's broader innovation economy and can contribute to job creation and technological growth. At the same time, it affirms that future development must meet clear public-interest standards and demonstrate responsible use of shared resources.

"The Committee on Environment's hearing on the Sustainable Data Center report last month made clear that we must take swift action to update permitting and regulatory processes for data centers to safeguard the health and resiliency of Chicago," said Ald. Maria Hadden (49th). "I would like to thank Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Tovar's team for their leadership on this critical issue, and all our departments for their partnership and collaboration in ensuring that Chicago remains a leader in creating a regulatory framework for data centers that is centered around sustainability."

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"Chicago has an obligation to make sure our growth as a technology hub does not come at the expense of the health and well-being of our residents," said Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th). "I'm grateful to Mayor Johnson and the environmental public servants across our City who are working to build a thoughtful, forward-looking framework for data centers. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the City Council and coordinating with the Mayor and his administration to ensure Chicago can welcome innovation while protecting our communities, infrastructure, and environment for generations to come."

"Chicagoans have voiced concerns around data center impacts—from energy affordability and grid reliability to pollution and water consumption—that should be urgently addressed," said Illinois Environmental Council City Government Affairs Director Iyana Simba. "We are excited to see the City taking action and listening to residents to ensure better protection of Chicago's natural resources and neighborhoods."

"Mayors around the world are on the frontlines of managing the impacts of data center development on communities. In June, Chicago joined 40 other global cities to launch the Global Urban Data Centers Pact, a shared commitment to ensure any future expansion delivers cleaner energy, lower costs, and healthier communities for all," said C40 Cities North America Director Kate Johnson. "By signing this Executive Order, Mayor Brandon Johnson is showing what it looks like to turn the principles of the Pact into concrete local action. C40 looks forward to supporting Chicago's Data Center Task Force and helping other city leaders to similarly protect their residents and resources."

By marshaling every available executive authority under a unified strategy, the Johnson administration is ensuring Chicago is not passively shaped by rapid industry growth, but instead actively setting the terms for how development occurs—protecting residents, strengthening infrastructure, and advancing a cleaner, healthier, safer, more affordable, and more sustainable future for all Chicagoans.

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