LaSalle County land use committee forwards 12‑month moratorium on data‑center permits to county board
June 03, 2026 | LaSalle County, Illinois
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The LaSalle County Land Use Committee voted to forward a proposed 12‑month moratorium on permitting data centers in unincorporated areas to the full county board, saying the pause will buy time to study water‑use impacts and draft zoning changes.
Jeremiah, who circulated the draft ordinance to the committee, said the moratorium "relies on our ability to determine where and when things are placed within the context of our zoning ordinance" and that it "gives us the breathing room to do the hearings and gather information for the purpose of amending the zoning ordinance." The proposed text would bar issuance of permits for data centers in all zoning districts subject to LaSalle County's zoning ordinance for the 12‑month period while the county studies appropriate regulatory changes.
Committee members emphasized the moratorium is intended as a temporary study period, not an absolute ban. Don urged that any permit review process require applicants to project water usage and fund third‑party studies to assess impacts on the aquifer. Doug Stockley said the moratorium draft allows cooperation with nearby municipalities and regional authorities to align rules.
Steve Aubrey moved to forward the ordinance with an amendment to add a definition of "data center," and Kathy Owens seconded. A roll call vote recorded affirmative responses from committee members, and the motion passed. Committee members agreed to add a clear definition to avoid narrow interpretations that would route projects around the prohibition.
The committee discussed timelines and whether 12 months is sufficient; some members said joining the Tri‑County multi‑county assessment might supply useful data, while others said a narrower, county‑specific study could be quicker. The committee asked staff to include a definition in the draft and present the amended ordinance to the full county board at its next meeting.
The committee's action forwards the moratorium as a recommendation to the county board for final consideration and any further amendments.
Jeremiah, who circulated the draft ordinance to the committee, said the moratorium "relies on our ability to determine where and when things are placed within the context of our zoning ordinance" and that it "gives us the breathing room to do the hearings and gather information for the purpose of amending the zoning ordinance." The proposed text would bar issuance of permits for data centers in all zoning districts subject to LaSalle County's zoning ordinance for the 12‑month period while the county studies appropriate regulatory changes.
Committee members emphasized the moratorium is intended as a temporary study period, not an absolute ban. Don urged that any permit review process require applicants to project water usage and fund third‑party studies to assess impacts on the aquifer. Doug Stockley said the moratorium draft allows cooperation with nearby municipalities and regional authorities to align rules.
Steve Aubrey moved to forward the ordinance with an amendment to add a definition of "data center," and Kathy Owens seconded. A roll call vote recorded affirmative responses from committee members, and the motion passed. Committee members agreed to add a clear definition to avoid narrow interpretations that would route projects around the prohibition.
The committee discussed timelines and whether 12 months is sufficient; some members said joining the Tri‑County multi‑county assessment might supply useful data, while others said a narrower, county‑specific study could be quicker. The committee asked staff to include a definition in the draft and present the amended ordinance to the full county board at its next meeting.
The committee's action forwards the moratorium as a recommendation to the county board for final consideration and any further amendments.
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