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Report: New data centers could create more than 120K Illinois jobs, though mostly temporary
The study says most of the jobs would be temporary construction and supplier work, while new facilities could add about $300 million a year in property taxes.
- On Thursday, the Illinois Economic Policy Institute released a study projecting $57 billion in data center investment and 120,000 jobs over the next decade, contingent on addressing public backlash over energy and water use.
- Public distrust stems from state tax incentives costing $983 million between 2020 and 2024, coupled with concerns about excessive water and energy consumption, said Frank Manzo, an Illinois Economic Policy Institute economist and co-author of the study.
- While 120,000 total jobs are projected, only 2,800 will be permanent positions, meaning developers spend $20.2 million per long-term role, according to Anthony Elmo, a Good Jobs First researcher.
- The report proposes 10 policy changes, including capping residential electricity rate increases at 5% annually and banning non-disclosure agreements between data centers and public officials to protect ratepayers and build public trust.
- ComEd service areas lack sufficient resources to reliably meet 2030 electricity requirements, with new data center demand potentially raising average residential bills by $12 monthly—about 10% annually—according to agencies' December assessment.
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The Toronto Star+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Report: New data centers could create more than 120K Illinois jobs, though mostly temporary
A new study predicts data centers expected to be built in Illinois over the next decade would create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in new property tax revenue.
·Toronto, Canada
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Report: New data centers could create more than 120K Illinois jobs, though mostly temporary – Capitol News IL
There are already more than 240 planned or active data centers in Illinois, or 19 per 1 million residents. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity estimated that, as of 2025, data centers received an estimated tax break value that exceeded $660 million.
·Wilmette, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Left
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources lean Left
64% Left
L 64%
C 27%
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