Hundreds to Rally at Illinois Capitol Over Data Center Guardrails

SPRINGFIELD - Nearly 600 community leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, business representatives, consumer groups, students and state legislators are expected to rally Saturday at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, urging lawmakers to pass the POWER Act as the General Assembly appears poised to adjourn without taking action on data center regulation.

The rally will take place at the Lincoln Statue, Illinois State Capitol, 401 S. 2nd St., Springfield, Illinois, 62756.

The noon event, scheduled for May 30, 2026, at the Lincoln Statue outside the Capitol, is part of POWER Act Lobby Day and will be live-streamed on Facebook. Organizers say the legislation would establish “nation-leading guardrails on data centers” and describe it as a response to concerns from Illinois residents about the effects of the facilities.

The rally comes amid what organizers describe as intense public outcry across Illinois over data centers and as lawmakers appear likely to leave Springfield without addressing the issue. Organizers also cite what they call statewide bipartisan support for the POWER Act.

Speakers are scheduled to include House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, Sen. Ram Villivalam, Aurora Mayor John Laesch, Griselda Chavez of Warehouse Workers for Justice, Brenda Santoyo of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and the Rev. Darnell Tingle of United Congregations of Metro East. Christine Nannicelli of Sierra Club Illinois is set to serve as emcee.

Organizers said hundreds of Illinoisans are expected to gather outside the Capitol holding signs and calling on lawmakers to pass the measure.

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