Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed a 12-month temporary moratorium on data center expansion, saying the city is “open for business” but “not for sale.” The pause would give officials time to develop long-term policies addressing energy and pollution risks for Chicago residents. The ordinance will go to a Chicago City Council committee for an initial vote on whether it can advance toward becoming law. Johnson said Chicago should embrace innovation while protecting residents’ health, safety, affordability and quality of life. He also signed an executive order in August creating a modernization effort for new data center regulations and warned against unchecked projects straining the city’s energy and water supplies. The proposal follows Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s June decision to pause agreements under the Data Center Investment Program while developing a statewide framework with lawmakers and stakeholders. Similar political caution has emerged in Texas and Pennsylvania as data centers’ demands for power, water and land have become more contentious. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) shifted from promoting Texas as an AI development hub and welcoming Google’s $40 billion data-facility investment to supporting restrictions on new rural projects. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) unveiled guardrails for artificial intelligence and data center development. Sam Silverman, founder of the Silverman Strategy Group, described campaigning as pro-data center as “electoral malpractice” in remarks to The Hill in July.