Official Documents

City of Pekin Records

The City of Pekin maintains records of city council meetings, zoning board proceedings, and planning documents. The following are relevant to the proposed data center development.

City of Pekin Economic Development

Pekin Technology Park - City of Pekin

The City of Pekin's official page for the Pekin Technology Park (Lutticken Property), the site of the proposed WHP LLC data center development. Includes city information and updates related to the property.

Visit Pekin Technology Park page

City of Pekin Meeting Portal

City of Pekin CivicClerk Portal

The CivicClerk portal is where all City of Pekin meeting agendas, packets, and minutes are published online. Search past and upcoming meetings for city council, zoning board, and committee sessions.

Visit CivicClerk portal

Key Records to Request

The following documents are relevant to understanding the data center proposal and can be obtained through the City of Pekin's city clerk office or via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request:

• Annexation ordinances - The official ordinances under which Groveland Township property (the Lutticken Property) was annexed into the City of Pekin. The annexation was approved on December 8, 2025, by a 5-2 vote of the city council.
• Zoning change applications - Any applications filed by WHP LLC or associated parties to rezone the property for industrial or data center use
• City council meeting minutes - Minutes from sessions where the data center proposal, annexation, or related zoning changes were discussed. Key dates include: April 28, 2025 (land sale approved 6-1), July 22, 2025 (purchase finalized 4-3 with the mayor casting the tie-breaking vote), December 8, 2025 (annexation approved 5-2), and January 26, 2026 (100+ residents filled City Hall for public comment).
• Zoning board meeting minutes - Records from zoning board sessions relevant to the Lutticken Property
• Development agreements - Any agreements between the City of Pekin and WHP LLC regarding tax incentives, infrastructure, water, or other terms. WHP has a 9-month due diligence period with two 3-month extensions and paid $50,000 in nonrefundable earnest money.
• WHP/Ameren feasibility study - An ongoing feasibility study between WHP and Ameren Illinois to determine whether the proposed data center would be viable in Pekin, particularly regarding power infrastructure. This study may be completed in early 2026.
• Environmental assessments - Any environmental review documents submitted as part of the development application

Tazewell County Records

Tazewell County Agendas & Minutes

Tazewell County Agendas and Minutes

Tazewell County Board meeting agendas and minutes. On January 28, 2026, the County Board clarified that the City of Pekin has sole zoning authority over the annexed Lutticken Property, citing 55 ILCS 5/5-12001.

Visit agendas and minutes

Tazewell County Zoning Code

Tazewell County Zoning Code

Title 7, Chapter 1 of the Tazewell County Code of Ordinances covering zoning regulations, land use classifications, and development standards for unincorporated areas of the county.

View zoning code

Tazewell County Property Records

Tazewell County Property Tax Inquiry

Search property tax records, assessed values, and ownership information for properties in Tazewell County, including the Lutticken Property and surrounding parcels.

Search property records

State and Federal Records

Illinois Secretary of State Business Records

WHP LLC / Western Hospitality Partners Business Filing

The Illinois Secretary of State maintains business entity filings, including LLC registrations, registered agents, and annual reports for Western Hospitality Partners LLC.

Search business records

Illinois DNR Environmental Records

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

IDNR maintains records of natural heritage sites, threatened and endangered species, and environmental consultations for development projects near sensitive areas.

Visit dnr.illinois.gov

Illinois EPA Environmental Records

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

The Illinois EPA oversees air and water permits for industrial facilities. Any construction or operational permits for the data center would be filed here.

Visit epa.illinois.gov

Environmental and Water Resources

Illinois EPA Water Resources

Mahomet Aquifer Protection Task Force

The Illinois EPA's Mahomet Aquifer Protection Task Force oversees efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer, a critical groundwater resource for central Illinois communities including the Pekin area.

Visit Mahomet Aquifer task force page

City of Pekin Public Works

City of Pekin Groundwater Information

The City of Pekin's Public Works department provides information about the city's groundwater resources, well operations, and water supply infrastructure.

Visit groundwater page

Illinois American Water 2024 Water Quality Report

Illinois American Water - 2024 Annual CCR for Pekin

The annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from Illinois American Water for the Pekin service area. Details water sources, treatment processes, contaminant testing results, and compliance information.

View 2024 water quality report (PDF)

State Legislation

Illinois General Assembly Pending Legislation

SB 2181 - Data Center Energy and Water Reporting Act

Senate Bill 2181 would require all data centers in Illinois to annually report their energy and water consumption. This legislation aims to increase transparency around the resource demands of data center operations statewide.

View bill status

Illinois DCEO Incentive Program

DCEO Data Center Investment Program

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the Data Center Investment Program, which provides tax incentives to qualifying data center developments. Details on eligibility, requirements, and program terms.

View data center incentives

How to File a FOIA Request

Before filing a FOIA request, check the City of Pekin's CivicClerk portal (pekinil.portal.civicclerk.com) where agendas, packets, and minutes are published online. Many records are already available there without a formal request.

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), any person has the right to request public records from government bodies. To file a FOIA request:

1. Identify the specific records you want (e.g., "all meeting minutes from City Council sessions in 2025-2026 mentioning WHP LLC, data center, or Lutticken Property")
2. Submit your request in writing to the relevant FOIA officer:
   • City of Pekin: City Clerk, 111 S. Capitol Street, Pekin, IL 61554
   • Tazewell County: County Clerk, 11 S. 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554
3. The agency must respond within 5 business days
4. Records must be provided free or at the cost of copying (typically $0.15/page for the first 50 pages)

If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal to the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor.

Have documents to share? If you have obtained public records related to the data center proposal through FOIA or other means, share them with the community through our Facebook group.