Illinois Data Centers Paid $140M in Property Taxes
A University of Illinois report examines local tax revenue from data centers as statewide electricity rates rise.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Data Centers
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A University of Illinois Climate Jobs Institute report found data centers in DeKalb, Aurora and Elk Grove Village paid more than $140 million in property taxes between 2022 and 2024. Data centers are also a main driver of rising statewide electricity rates in Illinois.
Why it matters
The findings weigh local fiscal benefits against statewide energy costs and resident concerns about noise and water use. Illinois lawmakers are expected to consider new data center legislation during the veto session.
The report counts more than $140 million in property taxes paid by data centers in DeKalb, Aurora and Elk Grove Village from 2022 to 2024, with Meta's DeKalb site alone generating over $46 million. Companies receiving Illinois data center tax incentives report more than 500 full-time workers earning approximately $120,000 on average, but water and energy usage data remain largely unpublished.
The players
University of Illinois Climate Jobs Institute
A research institute within the University of Illinois system that examines the economic and climate effects of large-scale infrastructure projects.
The details
Meta's DeKalb data center produced property tax revenue that helped fund a new elementary school. Residents in Aurora described a constant humming noise from nearby facilities, and the report raised concerns about water consumption across the communities studied.
Timeline
2022 to 2024: Data centers in the three communities paid more than $140 million in property taxes.
Veto session: Illinois lawmakers are expected to consider new data center legislation.
Roadmap
Data center power demand is shared across the regional electric grid, so the costs of supplying these facilities are distributed among all ratepayers. This pattern places the statewide rate increases in Illinois alongside the local tax benefits the facilities provide.
Residents in communities without data centers could see higher electricity bills as more facilities are developed across the regional grid. Questions about electricity costs and transparency could be addressed at the state level during the veto session.
The takeaway
Local tax revenue from data centers does not automatically offset statewide electricity costs, so residents may want to track the veto session legislation and rate filings. Watching for published energy and water usage data can help clarify the true tradeoffs.
What happens next
Illinois lawmakers are expected to consider new data center legislation during the veto session.
Further reading
Explore more on Data Centers coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRSP.
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