The battle over the future of the historic Lockport community intensified this week as a massive crowd of residents and Will County officials gathered outside Lockport Township High School to protest a proposed industrial data center development.
While city officials framed the May 26 workshop as an informational panel on economic development, local advocates turned the event into a grassroots rally. Organizers are demanding a halt to technological expansion on the former Chevron oil refinery site, citing major risks to the community’s financial and environmental health.
As the city prepares for its next public workshop on there are some core concerns driving the Lockport data center protest.
Will Data Centers Lower Lockport Property Values?
The number one concern for local homeowners is the potential impact of industrial zoning on residential real estate. A newly formed community group, Porters Against Data Centers, argues that the sheer scale of these tech hubs will permanently alter Lockport’s small-town charm.
- Industrial Blight: Real estate data shows that residential homes located directly adjacent to massive technology complexes can see a 5% to 15% drop in property valuation.
- The Noise Factor: Data centers require thousands of massive industrial cooling fans and emergency diesel generators that run 24/7.
- The Tax Burden: While tech companies often promise economic growth, they frequently demand massive local tax abatements.
The Threat of Rising Illinois Utility Costs
Data centers need a lot of energy, with a single facility capable of consuming as much electricity as a small city.
Severe Environmental Impact on the Chevron Refinery Site
The choice of location has further unified environmental activists. Developing a data center on the former Chevron oil refinery property introduces a complex layer of ecological risks to Will County.
- Aquifer and Water Depletion: Liquid-cooling systems inside data centers consume millions of gallons of water every day.
- Air Pollution from Backup Generators: To ensure 100% uptime during power outages, these facilities rely on arrays of heavy-duty diesel generators.
The City of Lockport has scheduled a second public data center workshop for June 4, 2026, at the Lockport Township High School East Campus. Local organizers are urging all community members to attend, ask questions, and hold local officials accountable.
