Public Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Data Center

Sangamon County officials announced that a public hearing will be held next month to gather presentations and public comment on the proposed data center development currently under review. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza in Springfield.

The proposal, brought forward by CyrusOne, outlines the construction of a large-scale data center campus in Sangamon County. Data centers are specialized facilities that house and protect the digital infrastructure that powers everything from cloud storage to streaming services, telehealth, emergency communications, and daily online activity. The project has generated considerable community interest, with supporters pointing to economic investment and infrastructure benefits, while opponents have raised concerns about energy use, noise, and long-term land impacts.

The event is intended to give residents an opportunity to hear formal presentations from both supporters and opponents of the project before offering their own input. County leaders emphasized that community engagement is an essential part of the review process, and the hearing will serve as a structured forum to ensure all perspectives are heard.

This meeting will be one of eight opportunities for the public to learn about the project and voice their opinion as it continues through the county’s formal evaluation and approval process. Officials are finalizing a roster of presenters and subject-matter experts who will speak at the event, with the full list expected to be released prior to the December 3 session.

Residents who wish to provide comments are encouraged to sign up in advance through the County’s online request-to-speak form. Public registration will also be available onsite before the hearing begins. Residents can sign up to speak at this link: https://sangamonil.gov/departments/a-c/county-board/meetings/request-to-speak/authorization-form-for-addressing-the-sangamon-county-board