Joliet Data Center: City Planner's Family 'Poised To Make The Mega Millions,' Audience Member Claims

JOLIET, IL — It's been more than three and a half months since Joliet Patch broke the news of plans to build one of the largest data centers in the Midwest on Joliet's east side near Manhattan and Elwood. The land in question belongs to Bernhard Farms, Inc.

Meanwhile, the city of Joliet's top planning department official is Jayne Bernhard, who grew up in Joliet, graduating from Joliet Central. At Tuesday night's meeting, one of the audience members addressing the Joliet City Council brought up the connection.

Andrea Baumhardt of Manhattan, who said she strongly opposes the Joliet Data Center project, brought up a topic that nobody at the City of Joliet had addressed since the data center project first appeared on the October agenda for the Joliet planning commission.

Baumhardt wanted Joliet City Hall officials to address the Joliet Data Center land development and the connection between the project and Joliet's director of planning.

"I've been here many times already and you guys know I live right on the edge where Manhattan ends and where that data center is slated to be built," she said. "And we know it's not on the agenda today, and I'm glad it's not in the agenda, but you know, people keep showing up because we care about our community, and we care about our resources, so that's why I am here.

"And I too, keep getting these ads on social media from the Joliet Technology Center. I kind of find them disturbing because they keep advertising about how great it is. And let's be clear, if it's so great why can't we have three basic questions answered. What is the water source? What is the power source? And how much power is it going to be using?"

After a brief pause in her remarks, Baumhardt continued by saying, "Let's just make it public. They don't want to make it public, and you guys don't want to make it public, either. OK? Politically, this needs to be addressed. Joliet, you have to acknowledge that you have a big conflict of interest on your end, OK? You've got this new city planner that shares the same last name as the Bernhard Family Land Trust. That's poised to make the mega millions with the sale and annexation of this land parcel for the data center.

"And I hope there's someone from The Patch here because this does need to get reported on. This is big news. OK. Let's be clear, let's make this transparent. Is your city planner director or their family on that land trust? If yes, clarify that. If no, clarify that.

"If they are, how much money will they profit? And if they are, please acknowledge, OK? As the Council, tell us, in writing, how is this ethical? Provide reasoning. We want to know."

On Wednesday and Thursday, Joliet City Hall did not issue any press releases in regard to the Joliet Data Center development or the questions raised by the Manhattan woman surrounding Bernhard Farms and city planning director Jayne Bernhard.

On Friday morning, Joliet Patch reached out to the city's acting director of communications Ann Sylvester in regard to the topic. By early afternoon, Sylvester gave Joliet Patch the following statement surrounding her fellow City Hall department head.

"The City is aware that Joliet City Planner Jayne Bernhard’s family owns farmland included among the properties under consideration for the Joliet Data Center project," Sylvester informed Joliet Patch. "Jayne brought this matter to the City’s attention immediately upon learning that these properties were being considered and has not been involved in conversations regarding the project.

"While her father is a stakeholder in the associated entities, Jayne Bernhard is not involved in the finances of Bernhard Farms, Inc. or the Bernhard Family Land Trust. The City appreciates her transparency and her proactive efforts to disclose this information."

In October, Patch reported that the proposed Joliet Data Center calls for construction of 24 buildings with over 1,000 construction jobs and 250 to 300 permanent jobs. The proposed Joliet Data Center Campus would be built on 800 acres of farmland east of the Chicagoland Speedway NASCAR racetrack, which will be returning to the NASCAR circuit this July.

Last June, Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty announced that Bernhard was being promoted to a department head position at City Hall after Jim Torri, the previous planning director, had used up more than five months of unused vacation, prior to officially retiring.

“Jayne brings an extraordinary blend of expertise in planning, grant writing, and historic preservation, along with a deep personal connection to our city,” Beatty announced last summer. “Her work has already made a lasting impact in Joliet, and we’re confident her leadership will help shape a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future for our community.”

Bernhard has served in the city’s Planning Division since 2017, most recently as a city planner. In her new role, she will lead major citywide projects such as the Joliet Comprehensive Plan, the Interstate 80 Des Plaines River Bridge Community Plan and implementation of the Downtown Joliet Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Plan.

And based on Friday's statement from Sylvester, the city of Joliet will be without any input from the head of its planning department as city officials face the prospect of having one of the largest data centers proposed in the Midwest, being built in their community.