Gov. JB Pritzker is halting tax incentives for new data centers being built in Illinois.

Why it matters: The pause puts a red-hot industry on notice.

The latest: In his annual budget speech yesterday, Pritzker called for a two-year suspension of tax incentives to build data centers in the state.

State of play: Illinois has at least 222 data centers — the fifth highest number in the country.

What they're saying: "We need to think critically about our future energy usage with the needs of Illinois households at the forefront," Pritzker said.

• "With the shifting energy landscape, it is imperative that our growth does not undermine affordability and stability for our families."

The intrigue: The move comes as data centers expand rapidly across the country and in Illinois, sparking community concerns about the size, scope and drain on natural resources.

• Pritzker's move is at odds with the Trump administration, which has been pushing for more AI data centers. President Trump signed an executive order prohibiting states from regulating the burgeoning industry.

Yes, but: Trump has signaled a shift recently, asking big tech companies to "internalize" data center costs to ensure Americans don't get stuck with higher utility bills.

Between the lines: Pritzker's announcement is a win for Illinois climate groups that have pushed for a halt on new data centers, citing environmental concerns.

• A recent state report warns that the centers could outstrip our energy supply.

The other side: The data center industry generated $3.51 billion in direct and indirect tax revenue in Illinois in 2022-2023, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.

• "Suspending this critical economic development tool would put the state at a strategic disadvantage in attracting data center projects," the Data Center Coalition said in a statement, adding the centers are "bringing significant benefits to neighboring states and helping make life more affordable for their residents."

What's next

Some progressive alders were shocked yesterday when a measure to let the Civilian Office of Police Accountability investigate claims of illegal cooperation between police and immigration agents got blocked by an alder who had voted for it in committee.

Why it matters: The ordinance's most vocal supporters — Alds. Jessie Fuentes, Andre Vasquez and Anthony Quezada — say it would help provide a layer of accountability around future ICE surges in Chicago that could come as early as next month.

What happened: The measure was crafted in response to perceived CPD cooperation with immigration agents during raids last year that could have violated Chicago's Welcoming City ordinance.

• Last month, the measure passed committee unanimously with the vote of Ald. Silvana Tabares, but on Wednesday, she blocked the vote with a procedural maneuver, effectively delaying it until next month.

What they're saying: "We need to make sure that our local law enforcement is doing everything that they can to keep our residents safe and that means not unintentionally collaborating with ICE," Fuentes told Axios after the vote was blocked.

The other side: "I see this as a solution in search of a problem. The police don't cooperate with ICE," Ald. Ray Lopez, who co-sponsored the move to delay the vote, tells Axios.

What's next: Fuentes says she will present the measure again next month.

Other council moves

💸 Gov. JB Pritzker said President Trump's federal actions against Illinois have cost residents $8.4 billion. (Tribune)

Funeral arrangements for Rev. Jesse Jackson have been set. Services will take place next Wednesday to Sunday at different locations around the city. The family says "all are welcome" to attend. (Sun-Times)

🗿The Park District will erect a statue of Frances Xavier Cabrini in Arrigo Park, replacing the Christopher Columbus statue that had been taken down in 2020. (Block Club)

🚨 Southbound lanes on the Kennedy Expressway were shut down for hours during last night's rush hour as police investigated a shooting. (CBS 2)

🚗 You can blame Oklahoma wildfires for the gunky dust left on your car after Tuesday night's rainstorm. (ABC-7)

A federal judge got saucy in his decision to dismiss a lawsuit over boneless chicken wings.

The latest: Northern Illinois District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr. dismissed a suit brought by Aimen Halim against Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW).

• Halim sued BWW, saying he was misled by the term "boneless wings," thinking he was buying deboned wings rather than nuggets.

The intrigue: The judge stuffed his opinion with lots of chicken-based puns.

What they're saying: "What's in a name? If we called a wing by any other name, would it smell as sweet?" Tharp wrote.

Enjoy a few more nuggets:

• "Halim sued BWW over his confusion, but his complaint has no meat on its bones."
• "He says he's not the only one for whom BWW's boneless wings failed to 'meat' expectations."
• "Despite his best efforts, Halim did not 'drum' up enough factual allegations to state a claim."

The bottom line: If you are gonna rule on chicken wings, you may as well make it spicy.

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Over half of you guessed correctly on yesterday's Black history quiz: Justin was standing in front of the West Town State Bank Building at 2400 W. Madison St.

State of play: The building was completed in 1930 and designated a landmark in 2003.

• The eight-story Art Deco skyscraper resembles larger buildings constructed in The Loop during the 1930s.

The intrigue: West Town is the only remaining skyscraper on the West Side.

Black history: It also housed radio stations in the 1930s and '40s that featured Black radio personalities like Jack Cooper and Al Benson.

• WSBC and WGES broadcast news and music, and Cooper was one of the country's first Black radio announcers.
• The building now houses a Wintrust Bank and the offices of former Ald. Walter Burnett.