WCBU Peoria (NPR Affiliate)
WCBU has provided the most extensive coverage of this story, with reporter Steve Stein following the project from its earliest stages.
2 Pekin City Council Members Say They Will Vote Against Proposed Data Center
Council members Dave Nutter and Jake Fletcher declared they will vote against the data center. With seven total council members, two more "no" votes would defeat the project. 17 residents spoke during public comment.
Read on wcbu.orgPekin, Not Tazewell County, Will Determine Fate of Lutticken Farm Data Center Project
Tazewell County Board members were told Pekin has sole zoning authority over the proposed data center on the city-owned Lutticken Farm property. The county will not have a say in the decision.
Read on wcbu.orgOpponents Speak Out Against Proposed Pekin Data Center
Nearly 2,000 petition signatures opposing the data center were delivered to the Pekin City Council. Opponents cited environmental impacts, health risks, infrastructure strain, rising utility bills, and building near residences in a natural area.
Read on wcbu.orgPekin's Lutticken Property Annexation Perplexes Groveland Township
Groveland Township's concerns about the annexation of the Lutticken property, including potential loss of tax revenue and increased costs for township road maintenance, fire protection, and other services.
Read on wcbu.orgPekin Prohibits the Public from Going on Lutticken Property
The city's decision to prohibit public access to the Lutticken property.
Read on wcbu.orgDone Deal: Pekin Buys 1,000-Acre Lutticken Property for $14M
The finalization of Pekin's $14 million purchase of the entire 1,000-acre Lutticken Farm property for economic development and to hasten the Veterans Drive extension to I-474.
Read on wcbu.orgFrom Farmland to Data Center: Pekin Will Profit from Sale of About 321 Acres
Pekin City Council approved the sale of ~321 acres of the Lutticken Farm property to Western Hospitality Partners for $4.5 million. Details the projected $20 million annual property tax revenue and 100+ full-time jobs.
Read on wcbu.orgWEEK-TV / 25 News Now
Pekin Holds Land Development Meeting Amid Data Center Backlash
Pekin held a meeting on broader land development the day after two council members announced opposition to the data center, as residents continued urging leaders to consider long-term environmental and economic risks.
Read on 25newsnow.comFirefighters Prepare for Unique Challenges Should Data Centers Locate in Pekin
Firefighters are undergoing specialized training for data center fires, which can burn for days and require specialized suppression methods since water cannot be applied to data systems.
Read on 25newsnow.comPekin Will Have Final Say on Proposed Data Center as County Clarifies Zoning Authority
Tazewell County clarified that Pekin, not the county, has sole zoning authority over the data center decision on the annexed Lutticken property.
Read on 25newsnow.comPekin City Hall Filled to Capacity as Data Center Opponents Speak Out
City Hall was filled to capacity with residents opposing the proposed data center. Public commenters presented research on data center impacts and raised concerns about light pollution, noise, and resource strain.
Read on 25newsnow.comTown Hall Planned as Pekin Faces Opposition to Proposed Data Center
A town hall meeting is scheduled for March 24 at Pekin Community High School as the city faces growing opposition to the proposed data center.
Read on 25newsnow.comPekin Technology Park Seen as Economic Driver, Though Benefits Still Years Away
The technology park is expected to create 200 new jobs and generate nearly $20 million annually, but full benefits are still years away. Feasibility study with Ameren is ongoing.
Read on 25newsnow.comPekin Ready to Own 1,000 Acres of Land Intended for Technology Park
Pekin's plan to purchase 1,000 acres of land for a technology park, with the city planning to sell about 320 acres to WHP for data center development.
Read on 25newsnow.comWMBD Radio & CIProud.com
More Than a Dozen Vocal About Opposition to Data Center at Pekin City Council Meeting
More than a dozen residents spoke out against the data center, with concerns about environmental issues, rising utility rates, noise pollution, and skepticism about promised economic benefits.
Read on wmbdradio.comIllinois Bill Could Affect Proposed Pekin Data Center
A bill in the Illinois legislature could impact the proposed data center development in Pekin, potentially adding new regulatory requirements for data center projects in the state.
Read on centralillinoisproud.comPekin Residents Voice Concerns Over Data Center Legal Battle
Residents express concerns as the data center proposal takes on a legal dimension, with the community pushing back against the development process.
Read on centralillinoisproud.comPekin Data Center Meets Opposition from Locals at City Meeting
Over 100 Pekin residents came to a city council meeting urging council members to stop the data center construction before it starts.
Read on centralillinoisproud.comPekin Residents Make Group to Oppose a Proposed Data Center
Residents formed the Tazewell County Data Center Opposition group. Concerns include noise, health complications, and increased electricity costs.
Read on centralillinoisproud.comPekin Finalizes $14M Land Deal, Setting Stage for Major Growth
The finalization of the $14 million land deal and the planned I-474 connection via Veterans Drive extension. Data center estimated to be a $3.8 billion investment.
Read on centralillinoisproud.comNational and Investigative Coverage
Pekin's data center fight has drawn attention from national and investigative outlets. These articles provide broader context and, in some cases, directly reference the Pekin proposal.
As the Data Center Boom Ramps Up in the Rural Midwest, What Should Communities Expect?
Major investigative piece that specifically mentions Pekin's data center project. Notes that if all planned data centers come online, Illinois would need to double its electricity grid.
Read on insideclimatenews.orgPekin, Illinois Residents Turn Out to Oppose Building of AI Data Center
Covers community opposition at city council meetings. Quotes residents about Mahomet Aquifer concerns, diesel generator air pollutants, and data center noise compared to "a jet engine running 24/7."
Read on peoplesworld.orgConcerns Mount Over Proposed Local AI Data Centers
Sierra Club raises concerns about the Pekin project including huge electricity needs, potential energy rate increases, harmful public health impacts from air/noise/light pollution, large water use, and lack of transparency.
Read on sierraclub.orgWestern Hospitality Partners Eyes 320-Acre Data Center Campus Outside Peoria
Industry trade coverage of WHP's plans. Notes WHP is also linked to a paused project in Braidwood, IL and projects in Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
Read on datacenterdynamics.comLocal Pushback, Canceled Data Centers Surged in 2025
At least 25 data center projects were canceled in 2025 following local opposition, accounting for at least 4.7 GW of electricity demand. Water use was the #1 reason cited for opposition.
Read on heatmap.newsThe Data Center Rebellion Is Reshaping the Political Landscape
Data center opposition is emerging as a potent electoral issue across the political divide. Part of the broader national context that includes communities like Pekin.
Read on washingtonpost.comBig Tech's Fast-Expanding Plans for Data Centers Are Running Into Stiff Community Opposition
AP syndicated report on how data center construction plans are facing resistance from communities across the country concerned about impacts on water, power, and quality of life.
Read on centralillinoisproud.comIndustry Tracking
$64 Billion of Data Center Projects Blocked or Delayed Amid Local Opposition
Report documenting billions in data center projects blocked or delayed by local opposition nationwide, including analysis of the most common reasons communities push back.
Read the reportWestern Hospitality Partners - Data Center Portfolio
Industry tracker showing WHP's portfolio and planned projects across the United States, including their track record of proposed, paused, and cancelled developments.
View on baxtel.comCommunity Resources
In addition to news coverage, local residents have organized through social media and petition platforms.
Protect Pekin Facebook Group
The Protect Pekin community Facebook group where residents share updates, discuss concerns, and coordinate attendance at city council and public meetings.
Join the groupCommunity Petition
The online petition calling on Pekin city officials to require a full environmental impact study before any approvals are granted for the proposed data center.
Sign the petitionUrge Illinois to Protect Citizens from Unregulated Data Center Construction
Statewide petition calling on the Illinois legislature to mandate public consultations, environmental impact assessments, and zoning restrictions for data center projects.
Sign the petitionKnow of an article we're missing? If you've seen news coverage of the Pekin data center proposal that isn't listed here, let us know through our Facebook group and we'll add it.