OPPORTUNITY IN SANGAMON COUNTY
As someone who has spent my career representing working men and women across central Illinois, I’ve seen what real investment can mean for a community. I’ve also seen how quickly progress stalls when we hesitate to invest in our future, which is why I believe the CyrusOne data center project deserves strong support from our local officials.
This project represents nearly $500 million in private investment in Sangamon County. It will put skilled union tradespeople to work, strengthen our local economy and help create careers that support families right here at home.
During construction, hundreds of good-paying jobs will be created. Those paychecks will be spent locally at our restaurants, shops and small businesses, helping our entire community thrive. CyrusOne has also committed to prioritizing local workers and contractors, ensuring these benefits stay in Sangamon County.
Beyond construction, data centers require ongoing maintenance, upgrades and technical support. That means long-term, stable jobs with good wages. These are the kinds of careers that allow families to build a future right here in Sangamon County.
The project will also generate millions in new tax revenue to support schools, public safety and essential services without raising taxes on hardworking families. It’s responsible growth that strengthens county finances while protecting taxpayers.
Sangamon County has the skilled workforce and strong work ethic to make this project a success. It builds on our strengths, rewards hard work and strengthens our local economy. More than buildings and infrastructure, this investment is about families and keeping our community strong for the next generation.
I urge local leaders to support this project and stand with the working families who stand to benefit from it.
Dave Wells, business manager, IBEW Local 193
JUST SAY NO
Any informed citizen does not support the construction of data centers. We have voiced our opinions and we do not want them. I’ve also voiced my concern that these data centers will pay off the board members. We don’t want the additional pressure on our electrical grids along with the consumption of our groundwater, which is already in dire straits – there have been severe drought conditions in most of Illinois.
I cannot believe this would be approved. Why don’t the people have any power? We don’t want this. We want a future for us, not AI.
Teresa Davidson
Springfield
OPPORTUNITY IN LOGAN COUNTY
I’ve spent my career in the trades. I know the difference between a press release and a paycheck. I also know what happens to communities when investment dries up and work goes elsewhere.
That is why I am supporting the proposed Hut 8 data center in Logan County. Hut 8 has signed a project labor commitment with the Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council. This isn’t a vague promise; it’s a commitment to build this facility using local, skilled union labor.
For Logan County, that means the wages from this $5 billion-plus investment won’t leave the state in the pockets of traveling crews. They will go to the electricians, pipefitters, and ironworkers who live right here. Our members buy from local businesses and pay local property taxes. When we build local, the economic benefit stays home.
The Hut 8 project represents steady work for hundreds of tradespeople during years of construction, followed by roughly 200 permanent careers – engineers, skilled labor, technicians and security staff. It means millions in new tax revenue for our schools and fire districts, stabilizing the services communities rely on.
Residents have valid questions about water, electricity and land use. County leaders should ask those hard questions and demand real mitigation plans. Hut 8 must earn its permit by being a good neighbor. But if they meet those standards, you must say yes.
The alternative to this project isn’t “waiting for something better” – it is continued decline.
This is a chance to stabilize your tax base and put our skilled tradespeople to work building your county’s future. Let’s make sure it happens.
Aaron Gurnsey, business manager, UA Local 137
TAKING A STAND
I’m proud of state Sen. Ram Villivalam and state Rep. Robyn Gabel, two legislators actually breaking away from the Democrat block and Gov. JB Pritzker to address future problems data centers can create for Illinois residents (“Lawmakers seek to regulate new data centers’ power, water usage,” Feb. 12).
Stacy Bowman
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
This article appears in February 19-25, 2026.
