Joliet Technology Center — Data Center Campus, Joliet
S. Rowell Road & Bernhard Road, adjacent to Chicagoland Speedway — Joliet, IL (Will County)
Summary
The Joliet City Council voted 8–1 on March 19, 2026 to approve the conditional annexation of approximately 795 acres for the proposed Joliet Technology Center — a data center campus that developers and officials say would be the largest in Illinois. The project is proposed by PowerHouse Hillwood Holding LLC, a joint venture involving Hillwood (part of the Perot family of companies) and PowerHouse Data Centers, a wholly-owned division of American Real Estate Partners.
The campus would consist of 24 two-story buildings totaling 1.8 gigawatts of capacity, built in four phases each accompanied by a six-acre substation. City officials project $310 million in property taxes and $40 million in utility taxes over 30 years, plus $677 million for Joliet Township High School District, $76 million for Joliet Junior College, and $146 million for Will County. The developer has committed up to $100 million to improve Joliet's sidewalks, streets, and city services.
The only dissenting council vote was cast by Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra. Hundreds of residents turned out over two public meetings, with supporters citing 700 permanent jobs and 7,000–10,000 construction positions, while opponents raised concerns about environmental impacts, water supply, proximity to homes, and the scale of land use.
In May 2026, a group called Joliet Residents for Responsible Growth filed a roughly 550-page civil lawsuit in Will County seeking to void the council's approvals, citing procedural violations and the project's projected 1.8 GW power draw — roughly equal to the generating capacity of the Hoover Dam.
Key Facts
Data Center Buildings
24 two-story buildings, 144,500 sq ft each
Total Capacity
1.8 GW at full build-out
Total Site
~795 acres
Phases
4 phases, each with a dedicated 6-acre substation
Permanent Jobs
700 on-site permanent jobs
Construction Jobs
7,000–10,000 locally sourced
Property Taxes (30 years)
$310 million projected
Utility Taxes (30 years)
$40 million projected
School District Revenue (30 years)
$677 million — Joliet Township High School District
Community Infrastructure Commitment
Up to $100 million for sidewalks, streets, and city services
Total Projected Local Tax Revenue
~$2.1 billion (per developer's 'Yes to Joliet Jobs' site)
Estimated Total Investment
~$20 billion
Construction Start
Early 2027 (projected)
* Projected figures from Village of Minooka fact sheet.
Timeline of Events
May 21, 2026
Lawsuit filed by Joliet Residents for Responsible Growth
Will County Circuit Court
Three plaintiffs — Craig Doorneweerd, Rhonda Doorneweerd, and Pedro Garcia — represented by Plainfield attorney Chloe Ann Russell filed a ~550-page civil lawsuit naming the City of Joliet, PowerHouse Hillwood Holding, HW Technology Park Development LLC, and American Real Estate Partners. The suit seeks injunctive relief to void the March 19 annexation, rezoning, and preliminary PUD approvals, alleging procedural violations. Plaintiffs' group (Joliet Residents for Responsible Growth) includes property owners within one to three miles of the site. The lawsuit notes the project's 1.8 GW power draw is roughly equal to the Hoover Dam's generating capacity and that the City has formally projected its water sources will be inadequate to meet existing municipal demand by 2030.
March 19, 2026
Joliet City Council approves annexation, rezoning, and preliminary PUD — 8 to 1
Joliet City Council
Council voted 8–1 to approve the conditional annexation of ~795 acres and authorize the annexation agreement with PowerHouse Hillwood Holding LLC. The only no vote was cast by Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra. City Manager Beth Beatty cited 'clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits.' The decision follows a six-hour public hearing on March 16 with dozens of residents speaking. Annexation is conditional and takes effect upon the developer's acquisition of the property.
March 16, 2026
Public hearing — over six hours of testimony
Joliet City Council
Hundreds of community members attended. Local union workers strongly supported the project, with Doc Gregory (president of Will Grundy Building Trades) citing ~1,200 daily workers for nearly five years. Opponents included Craig Doorneweerd (who lives less than 300 feet from the proposed site) and others raising environmental concerns. The length of the meeting led the council to delay the vote to March 19.
October 2025
Project first publicly proposed
PowerHouse Hillwood Holding LLC
Initial proposal for the Joliet Technology Center reported by Joliet Patch. Site is near the Chicagoland Speedway (NASCAR track), at the intersection of Rowell and Bernhard roads.
How Officials Voted
| Official | Title | Vote | Date | Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry D'Arcy | Mayor | Yes | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
| Pat Mudron | Council Member | Yes | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
| Juan Moreno | Council Member | Yes | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
| Joe Clement | Council Member | Yes | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
| Cesar Cardenas | Council Member | Yes | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
| Larry Hug | Council Member | Yes | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
| Sherri Reardon | Council Member | Yes | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
| Jan Quillman | Council Member | Yes | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
| Suzanna Ibarra | Council Member | No | March 19, 2026 | Joliet City Council — Joliet Technology Center annexation and PUD approval |
Incentive Agreements
Developer committed up to $100 million to improve Joliet sidewalks, streets, and city services as part of the annexation agreement.
Approved by: City of Joliet
Documents Library
| Document | Type | Date | Source | Link |
|---|
Resources & Coverage
Reports the ~550-page lawsuit filed by Joliet Residents for Responsible Growth (Craig Doorneweerd, Rhonda Doorneweerd, Pedro Garcia) via attorney Chloe Ann Russell. Suit names the City of Joliet, PowerHouse Hillwood Holding, HW Technology Park Development LLC, and American Real Estate Partners. Plaintiffs seek to void the March 19 annexation and PUD approvals on procedural grounds.
Industry coverage of the council approval. Notes 24 two-story buildings of 144,500 sq ft each, 4 build phases each with a 6-acre substation, and 1.8 GW total capacity. Background on PowerHouse Data Centers (founded 2022, wholly-owned by American Real Estate Partners; 6 GW+ pipeline across VA, TX, NC, KY, IN, NV, PA) and Hillwood (Perot family of companies).
Reports the 8–1 council vote approving the Joliet Technology Center. Includes quotes from residents opposing the project (Craig Doorneweerd, Velshay Stokes) and union supporters (Doc Gregory, Will Grundy Building Trades). Notes $310 million in projected property taxes and 700 permanent jobs.
Official city press release. Notes $310 million in property taxes over 30 years; $677 million for Joliet Township High School District; $76 million for Joliet Junior College; $146 million for Will County. Developer committed up to $100 million for sidewalk, street, and city service improvements. Annexation takes effect upon property acquisition.