Illinois lawmakers propose POWER Act bill to regulate data centers

Thursday, February 12, 2026
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some Illinois lawmakers are pushing a new bill to regulate data centers.

It's called the POWER Act. That stands for Protecting Our Water, Energy, and Ratepayers.



"By establishing policies that ensure data centers, not consumers bear the increasing energy costs and critical protections for our environment and sustainable water use, we can work for future built for technology to support our daily lives," state Sen. Ram Villivalam (D, 8th District) said.

The bill would put a number of guidelines in place for businesses wanting to build data centers in the state.

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