Survey Result #1: You Demand Transparency & Action on Data Centers!

First and foremost: a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our recent survey. Your voices, time, and candid feedback are invaluable to me. Your thoughts help me understand what it takes to Exceed Exceptional. 

Now, without much further ado, the numbers are in—and the message from our community couldn't be clearer.

This survey is a good cross-section of the Village

• 56 respondents provided feedback during the limited survey window

  • 29 respondents live west of 290/53, 25 live east of 290/53 (2 respondents did not give addresses).

• 9 respondents live in neighborhoods directly adjacent to the WGN/Nexstar site;

  • 45 respondents live in areas not directly adjacent to WGN/Nexstar (2 respondents did not give addresses).

Top Line: You’re Worried About All Things Data Center…and Rightfully So

First, over 80% of polled residents had high concern on each of the following questions:

• Data center development near residential neighborhoods

• Impact on your utilities bill (electric, water, gas, etc.) because of data center development

• Potential power grid stability related to data center development and deployment

• Use/re-zoning of non-industrial land for data center development

• Noise, vibration, and/or light impacts of data centers near residential areas

• Pollution (air and/or water) attributable to data centers

This response makes it crystal clear: you know there are risks with Data Center development. You don’t take talking points at face value.

And, to be clear— the questions were not just about the proposal for WGN/Nexstar, but about the Village’s overall data center policy and strategy management.

Furthermore, this finding is particularly relevant: there’s no scenario where a Village should be rubber-stamp voting on nearly all matters coming before the Board when something is a “high concern” to 80% of residents. 

And, your subsequent answers to the next set of questions got to the root of the matter. 

Bottom Line: The Board Is Not Listening, And You’re Saying It’s Time For A Change

Similarly, over 80% of respondents rated the Village Board’s decision-making transparency as a 1 (very low) or a 2 (low). 

Similarly, nearly 80% of respondents rated the Village’s Board’s efforts in explaining the Village’s position on data centers as a 1 (very low) or a 2 (low).

Finally, and most startlingly, 84% of respondents rated the Village Board’s effectiveness in responding to your concerns about data centers as 1 (very low) or 2 (low).

These results deliver a terrifying reflection of the Village Board's systemic failures. You’re saying that what we are witnessing is not merely differences of opinion, but a profound breakdown in trust between Residents and Trustees. You’re saying that breakdown is caused by a lack of transparency and corresponding serious governance failures that are failing to reflect what you hold dear in the community. 

The data shows you believe the Trustees have abdicated their core duty to protect residents. And, from what I can tell, there doesn’t appear to be contraindicating evidence (at least none that I’m aware of).

You’re mad as hell. I Hear You.

These results tell me you want Trustees who listen, operate in the open, and put residents first.

You’re demanding clear answers, genuine dialogue, and responsible oversight for projects impacting our neighborhoods and communities.

And when I’m Trustee, I will do everything in my power to give you what you’re seeking: clarity & responsiveness.

As I will detail more fully in a forthcoming post, when I am Trustee, I will advocate for the creation of an independent commission of experts (the “Truth in Data Centers Commission.”) This body of retained experts would help the Plan Commission and the Village Board to cut through the noise about Data Centers. This Commission would assist the Plan Commission and Village Board evaluate residents’ concerns with fact and experience-based investigations.

This independent commission would handle all analysis of data centers from planning, through building, and governance. These experts would help our Board evaluate the facts with a keen, knowledgable eye, and help articulate the same to each of you. And, I believe we can do this without raising residents’ taxes a single penny.

You deserve the truth. No more spin. You deserve to hear from experts who are paid by the Village to advocate for the Village.

That is how we Exceed Exceptional.

By the way: This is just the beginning! Stay tuned for further community surveys where you'll have the opportunity to weigh in on critical local issues, help shape our neighborhood's future and my campaign. Help me shape path to Exceed Exceptional.