CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins and State Representative Yolonda Morris presented legislation at a press conference Wednesday to help protect Illinoisans’ data and create jobs by providing incentives to locate data centers in low-income areas.

“By keeping Illinois technology and data in our state, instead of sending it to Virginia or another state, Illinois stands to gain tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue to help Black and Brown neighborhoods and businesses,” said Collins (D-Chicago).

Several major hospitals in Illinois have suffered cybersecurity attacks in recent years – including Lurie Children’s Hospital and St. Anthony’s Hospital. Both Collins and Morris have worked for years in the health care industry serving patients and those who are vulnerable, leading them to introduce the Keep Illinois Data in Illinois tax credit legislation to strengthen health care and cybersecurity infrastructure while helping minority business owners develop data storage facilities.

“At a time when our data is under attack, governments and hospitals should store their data in Illinois,” said State Representative Yolonda Morris (D-Chicago). “We should provide incentives to minority-owned companies that will build data centers in low-income areas. This legislation would provide millions in tax revenue, quality jobs for our community, and high-quality construction jobs. Also, it will result in community benefits in terms of jobs and opportunities for our young people to enter the technology industry.”