Elk Grove Village is channeling proceeds from recent high-value data center property sales into direct financial relief for its residents, announcing a $2.83 million program to distribute $200 gift cards to all 14,000 households in the community. The initiative, approved by the village board on October 12, marks the municipality's fifth major relief effort since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and is fully funded by one-time revenues from two substantial real estate transactions.

In September, the sale of a data center at 800 E. Devon Avenue for $750 million generated approximately $2.25 million in real estate transfer taxes for the village. Earlier in July, a $673 million sale at the Northwest Point business park added around $2 million more to village coffers. Elk Grove Village imposes a local transfer tax of $3 per $1,000 of purchase price, a revenue stream shared by about 70 municipalities across Illinois.

Mayor Craig Johnson, an outspoken advocate for the data center industry, emphasized the economic benefits these facilities bring to the village. “They help us in a lot of ways. This is just another way they’re helping us,” he said, connecting the gift card program directly to revenues generated by the data centers. Including this latest effort, the village has distributed relief totaling nearly $15 million in the past six years, with approximately $6 million derived specifically from data center-related revenue.

This year’s gift card distribution follows similar efforts in 2022 and 2024, as well as two rounds of $200 water bill credits awarded in 2020. Johnson noted that despite some easing of pandemic-related strains, many residents continue to struggle with high living costs, including gas and groceries. The prepaid cards, labeled “Shop Elk Grove,” will be sent to a range of housing types, including apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and single-family homes.

At a recent village board meeting, some residents voiced concerns related to proposed data center expansion near the WGN radio transmitter site on the town’s west side. During public comment, Donato Latrofa, a trustee candidate residing near the site, questioned the village’s assessment of the gift card program’s impact and sought additional details about its benefits. Another resident, Roman Chmiel, raised apprehensions about potential noise and other adverse effects associated with proximity to data centers.

In response, Johnson clarified that the timing of the gift card rollout was not intended to influence ongoing debates around data center development. “Most people I talk to don’t care about data centers,” he said, underscoring that the village’s financial assistance efforts have been long-standing and transparent. He noted that the 2024 payment was funded by stronger-than-expected general revenues, bolstered by fees from new data center construction permits.

Since Elk Grove Village began attracting data centers, the mayor contends, the community has positioned itself as a leader in embracing this industry, even before its widespread recognition. “We actually led the party,” Johnson stated, highlighting the village’s ongoing commitment to leveraging data center growth for local economic benefit.