ISACo

The surge in data center development in Illinois has led to a wave of public hearings across several counties and municipalities, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area and central Illinois. These hearings typically focus on zoning amendments, noise ordinances, and environmental impact assessments. This resource identifies Illinois local governments that have held or are currently planning public hearings related to data centers. The list will be updated as necessary. Click on the title to view information about the hearings.

This resource features a curated collection of news stories highlighting the rapid growth of data centers and their impacts on communities, infrastructure, and public policy. As this issue continues to evolve, additional articles will be added to provide county officials with timely insights into emerging trends, local concerns, and statewide and national developments. Click on the title to view the news coverage.

Stay informed on the latest legislative developments from Springfield. This report highlights ISACo-tracked bills that successfully cleared House committees from March 19-21, 2026. Several appropriations and shell bills were also advanced to the House floor. Click on the title for the full update.

Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Illinois film industry leaders announced that film production expenditures in Illinois reached a record-breaking high of $703 million in 2025, supporting an estimated 18,000 in industry hires. This represents a 25 percent increase in film expenditures since before the pandemic in 2019.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration for the severe storms and flooding that impacted six counties in northeastern Illinois from Aug. 16–18, 2025. This declaration will allow homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain non-profit organizations to apply for low-interest loans to help cover damages not covered by insurance.