Sangamon Digest

A new Illinois Economic Policy Institute and University of Illinois report projects $57 billion in new data-center investment through 2035 would create about 121,000 jobs — mostly temporary construction and spin-off work, with just 2,800 direct permanent positions — plus nearly $300 million a year in property-tax revenue, Capitol News Illinois reports.

The authors estimate added energy demand would raise average residential electric bills by about $12 a month, or $150 a year, in a mid-level scenario. Utility watchdogs and environmental groups are skeptical, and the report’s 10 recommendations echo the POWER Act, which stalled in the spring; advocates hope it moves in the fall veto session.