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MARKETS · CHICAGO

Chicago data center colocation for AI.

The Midwest's primary data center market. We search here for liquid-cooled and high-density space for GPU deployments from a single rack to 20 MW+.

MARKET SNAPSHOT · H1 2026

More room than most, but prices are climbing.

910.6 MW

Colocation inventory

20.0 MW

Available at mid-year

2.2%

Vacancy

+9.7%

Asking rents for 10 MW+, H1 2026

At 2.2%, Chicago's vacancy was above the 1.4% average across the primary markets at mid-year, which gives tenants slightly more room to choose. Asking rents for 10 MW+ requirements rose 9.7% in the first half.

Power, incentives and local rules

  • ComEd's queue holds more than 75 large-load projects totaling over 28,000 MW, above its all-time peak of 24,000 MW.
  • Since March 2026, large loads post scaled deposits: $1 million for 50 to 200 MW, plus $500,000 for each additional 100 MW.
  • Projects of 50 MW or more post collateral equal to 10 years of transmission revenue.
  • Illinois stopped processing new Data Center Investment Program agreements on July 1, 2026. Agreements signed before then are honored.
  • PJM's 2028/29 capacity auction cleared at its $325 per MW-day cap, which keeps upward pressure on power costs.

Sources: Capitol News Illinois (Mar 20, 2026); ComEd (Jan 6, 2026); Illinois Governor's office (Jun 5, 2026); Citizens Utility Board (Jul 15, 2026).

Common questions

Is there available data center capacity in Chicago?

20.0 MW was available at mid-2026, with 2.2% vacancy, per CBRE.

How are Chicago colocation prices moving?

Asking rents for 10 MW+ requirements rose 9.7% in H1 2026, according to CBRE data reported by Data Center Frontier. We get current quotes for your requirement.

Can Chicago sites support liquid-cooled GPU racks?

Some can. We confirm cooling, rack density and the energization date for each site before we introduce it.

Can I still get Illinois data center tax incentives?

Not for new projects. Illinois stopped processing new program agreements on July 1, 2026, and only agreements signed before then are honored.

How hard is it to get new power from ComEd?

Large-load requests of over 28,000 MW exceed ComEd's 24,000 MW peak, and new large loads face higher deposits and 10-year collateral.

Sources: CBRE (Aug 27, 2026); Data Center Frontier on CBRE H1 2026. All markets →

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