Illinois Gov. Pritzker to pause tax breaks for data centers to conduct review of community impacts

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said on Friday he plans to pause tax breaks on new data centers while lawmakers come up with a framework for the facilities' development. 

The processing of applications for tax incentives by data center developers looking to build in the state will be frozen on July 1, NBC News reported. 

Pritzker had asked lawmakers earlier this year to suspend the incentives while they develop a comprehensive review of how the facilities are impacting communities. They didn't act on that request, so Pritzker plans to do it himself. 

While the governor can't unilaterally halt the program, it does have some say in the processing of applications, according to Pritzker's office. 

“Illinois has an opportunity to continue leading in technological innovation and economic growth, but we also have a responsibility to protect working families and local communities as the data center industry rapidly expands,” Pritzker said in a statement.