Joliet Technology Center: $20B 1.2GW Illinois AI Hub
Status: Approved / Pre-Construction (March 19, 2026) | Location: Former Industrial Brownfield, South Joliet
Project Overview
Formally approved on March 19, 2026, following a recessed six-hour public hearing, the Joliet Technology Center represents a landmark $20 billion flagship hyperscale development in Illinois. The project is technically significant as the first in the state to comply with the 2026 POWER Act, which mandates a “Bring Your Own New Clean Capacity” (BYONCCE) approach for large-scale data centers. This requirement ensures that new energy demand is offset by dedicated clean energy generation capacity.
To meet these obligations, the developer has committed to deploying a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) alongside a direct transmission connection to a new 1.5GW solar and wind hybrid energy array located in central Illinois. This integrated energy strategy is designed to deliver consistent, low-carbon power for continuous hyperscale operations.
The campus is purpose-built for high-density AI and machine learning workloads, incorporating direct-to-chip liquid cooling across all server racks to efficiently manage thermal loads associated with next-generation compute. Its strategic location near the Chicago interconnection hub provides access to one of the most robust fiber networks in the United States, ensuring low-latency connectivity and high bandwidth capacity.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Joliet Technology Center: $20B 1.2GW Illinois AI Hub |
| Location | Former Industrial Brownfield, South Joliet |
| Status | Approved / Pre-Construction (March 19, 2026) |
| Commissioning | Phase 1 (300MW) Online: 2027; Full Build-out: 2030 |
| Total IT Load | 1,200 MW |
| Total Capacity | 4 Million Sq. Ft. across 8 massive data halls |
| Tier Level | Tier IV (Mission-Critical AI Resilience) |
| Project Type | Gigawatt-Scale AI Training & Supercomputing Campus |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Joliet |
| Population | ~150,000 |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~9.5 million (part of Chicago metropolitan area) |
| City GDP | ~$9–11 billion (estimated, based on regional economic contribution) |
| Per Capita Income | ~$32,000–$36,000 |
| City Tier | Tier 2 (Mid-sized city within major metro region) |
| Key Strengths | Strategic logistics hub (I-55, I-80), strong warehousing & distribution sector, proximity to Chicago, rail connectivity, growing data center and industrial base |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Lionheart Strategic Management |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | City of Joliet / Will County Center for Economic Development. |
| Construction Contractor | Regional Trade Unions (estimated 5,000+ construction jobs). |
| MEP Engineering | $N+2$ Redundancy; AI-driven grid-balancing software. |
| Network Connectivity | Multiple diverse paths to 350 E. Cermak (Chicago). |
| Power Infrastructure | 1.2 GW; Underpinned by the 2026 POWER Act clean energy mandate. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 1,200 MW (1.2 GW) |
| UPS Redundancy | Distributed Redundant ($N+1$ or $2N$ based on hall). |
| Cooling System | Closed-loop liquid cooling; Zero-discharge industrial water use. |
| Connectivity | Central US AI hub with ultra-low latency to financial markets. |
| PUE Target | < 1.10 |
| Energy Mix | 100% CFE via dedicated off-site solar/wind and on-site storage. |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | Late 2025 |
| Construction Start | Expected Q3 2026 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Expected Late 2027 |
| Full Buildout | 2030 |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
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| Total Investment | $20 Billion |
| Funding | Private Equity / Institutional Infrastructure Funds. |