Circuit Judge Adam Giganti dismissed a lawsuit Nov. 6 seeking a judicial review of the Sangamon County Board’s April approval of zoning to allow for construction of a hyperscale data center in Talkington Township.
The July 6 lawsuit was originally filed against Sangamon County and the County Board by residents who live approximately a mile or less from the site. The filing, claiming procedural violations and unchecked environmental concerns, sought a new judicial review to overturn the county’s approval of the project. The Sangamon County Board approved a conditional use permit on April 7 that would allow a data center to be constructed on 280 acres of farmland by a vote of 17-10, with one board member abstaining.
Champaign law firm Webber & Thies, on behalf of the county, argued the complaint should be dismissed, hinging much of their argument on the fact that the board’s approval was “conditional” so requisite documents can be provided to the board following zoning approval. In addition, lawyers argue the county had a rational basis for approving the data center through the potential for economic incentives, so the lawsuit should be terminated.
The county’s own staff report shows about $71 million of projected property tax revenue would go to three taxing bodies based in Macoupin County, with six Sangamon-based taxing districts expected to split roughly $27 million over a 20-year period, if all assessments go according to plan.
Sangamon County itself could expect to see just over $445,000 annually for 20 years in annual tax revenue, should appraisals hold. That’s roughly equal to the amount of money the county will save per year after eliminating the Sangamon County Recorder’s Office.
This story will be updated.
