HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL — State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R- Lake Barrington) addressed the Hoffman Estates Village Board this evening, reiterating his opposition to the proposed AI data center that would be located in close proximity to residential neighborhoods within Illinois’ 52nd District.
During his remarks, McLaughlin emphasized that local residents should closely examine the positions of elected officials regarding the expansion of AI data centers and the state policies that have encouraged their development.
“Voting has consequences,” McLaughlin stated. “Residents should be aware of where their state legislators and statewide officeholders stand on these projects, particularly those in the supermajority who unanimously supported tax incentives over each and every year since 2019 these incentives were designed to attract AI data centers to Illinois and are only now expressing concerns about their impact.”
McLaughlin referenced Governor J.B. Pritzker’s recent decision to pause tax incentives related to AI data center development, noting that growing concerns over the facilities’ impact on communities have prompted increased scrutiny across the state.
The Representative also highlighted his longstanding and consistent position on the issue. He reminded attendees that he appeared before the Barrington Hills Village Board in January to oppose a proposed AI data center in that community, stating that he was the only state legislator to publicly address the board on the matter. He again voiced similar concerns during tonight’s meeting in Hoffman Estates.
McLaughlin stressed that decisions regarding AI data center development should remain in the hands of local communities, while maintaining that such facilities should not be located near residential neighborhoods.
“My position has remained consistent,” McLaughlin said. “Local communities should determine whether they want these developments, but AI data centers should not be situated in or near residential areas where residents bear the direct impacts.”
Joining Representative McLaughlin at the meeting were several local leaders from communities within the 52nd District, including Barrington Township Assessor Mike Gentile, Barrington Hills Village President Brian Cecola, and South Barrington Village President Paula McCombie. Their presence underscored the growing regional concern regarding the placement and potential impacts of large-scale AI data center projects on surrounding communities.
Residents and local officials continue to evaluate the proposal and its potential effects on nearby neighborhoods, infrastructure, public services, and quality of life.
A link to Rep. McLaughlin’s public comments at the Village Board Meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/2ZLYd-ctNJs?si=5Vg33dBOrfKy6Fq3&t=3836
For more information, contact Rep. Martin McLaughlin’s office at 224-634-8300 or by email at [email protected].
###
State Representative Martin McLaughlin serves the residents of the 52nd District which includes the following Northwest Suburban communities in Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties: Algonquin, Barrington, Barrington Hills, Cary, Deer Park, Fox River Grove, Grayslake, Hawthorn Woods, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Island Lake, Lake Barrington, Lake In The Hills, Lake Zurich, Lakemoor, Libertyville, Long Grove, McHenry, Mundelein, North Barrington, Port Barrington, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, S Barrington, South Barrington, Tower Lakes, Volo, Wauconda.