Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to suspend tax breaks offered to data centers

FIRST ON NBC NEWSArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligenceIllinois Gov. JB Pritzker to suspend tax breaks offered to data centers Pritzker, who is widely viewed as having 2028 White House aspirations, is tapping into an issue seen as important to voters.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker can't unilaterally halt the program, but the executive branch does wield some control over processing applications, according to his office.John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 5, 2026, 6:00 AM EDTBy Natasha KoreckiIllinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday plans to temporarily halt offering tax breaks to data centers that apply to build in the state and intends to call on lawmakers and other groups to hash out a framework in the fall veto session for how the centers should be developed.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.In a plan first shared with NBC News, Pritzker will announce he will pause the processing of any applications to the tax incentive program handled by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity beginning July 1.Pritzker called on state lawmakers this year to suspend incentives for two years while they hammer out a comprehensive review of the impact centers are having on communities.Pritzker is making the move after lawmakers did not act. The governor cannot unilaterally halt the program, but the executive branch does wield some control over processing applications, according to his office.By taking on the massive buildings that power artificial intelligence, Pritzker, who is running for a third term and is widely viewed as having 2028 White House aspirations, is tapping into an issue seen as important to voters.“Illinois has an opportunity to continue leading in technological innovation and economic growth, but we also have a responsibility to protect working families and local communities as the dat...