Battery storage rules: West Chicago, IL
On July 6, 2026 the West Chicago City Council passed Ordinance 26-O-0011, a "Moratorium on Data Center Facilities and Battery Energy Storage Systems in All Zoning Districts." Ask the city for its current status and end date.
West Chicago: moratorium on data centers and battery storage in all zoning districts (July 2026)
The City Council passed Ordinance 26-O-0011, a moratorium on data center facilities and battery energy storage systems in all zoning districts, on July 6, 2026 (12 ayes, 2 absent). Ask the city for the end date. City of West Chicago, City Council minutes, July 6, 2026
Fire and building codes in force
- State Fire Marshal (41 Ill. Adm. Code 100): the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2015 edition, effective January 1, 2020, as the minimum; a community that has adopted fire safety standards equal to or higher than the state's enforces its own (41 Ill. Adm. Code 100.3(c)(2))
- In county-zoned areas, the county law lets a county require NFPA 855 (the edition in effect June 1, 2026, or a later one at approval) and requires every battery to be listed to UL 1973 and UL 9540 (55 ILCS 5/5-12024)
How a project is permitted
Unincorporated land: the county's zoning, within the limits of 55 ILCS 5/5-12024 (a county without zoning may not restrict these systems). Inside a city or village: its own zoning; ask the planning office. Siting or special-use applications submitted to a county before June 1, 2026 are not covered by the state law. Ask: is the site in a city or village, or unincorporated county land? Does the county have a storage ordinance under the state law? Which fire code does the fire department enforce?
Sources
- West Chicago City Council minutes, July 6, 2026 City of West Chicago (archived copy)
Check a specific system
For a proposal or a system you're evaluating, answer a few questions in BESScheck: you get the rules that apply here, a checklist of what to ask, and the sources behind each line.