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CWA Cafe: Data Centers and the Future of the Chicago Wilderness Region
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Illinois is in the middle of a massive data center boom, and it's already starting to affect the Chicago Wilderness region. We're seeing rising electricity demand, more reliance on polluting backup generators, and growing pressure on local water supplies, with environmental justice communities often bearing the brunt of it.

 Export to Your Calendar 7/16/2026
When: Thursday, July 16, 2026
12:00 PM
Where: Register for Teams link
United States
Contact: Laura Reilly
lreilly@chicagowilderness.org


Online registration is available until: 7/16/2026
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Data Centers and the Future of the Chicago Wilderness Region: Why the Conservation Community Needs to Engage on the POWER Act
 
This Cafe will dig into what this trend means for our region and what's being done about it. Andrew Rehn from Prairie Rivers Network will walk us through how fast data centers are growing in Illinois, what that could mean for our ecosystems, water, and air quality, and introduce the POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513), which would require data centers to bring their own clean energy, protect ratepayers, improve water reporting and efficiency, and add new protections for vulnerable communities. Then Amy Doll from Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves will lead a conversation on how the conservation community can come together and advocate on this issue.
 
Presenters
Tarik Shahzad, The Nature Conservancy of IL
Andrew Rehn from Prairie Rivers Network
Amy Doll from Friends of IL Nature Preserves