Data centers are hot in Illinois. 

A data center is a storage space is a central spot to collect, store and distribute computer data on the internet. Some people might call them the “cloud” and they are a billion dollar business. A new tax incentive is being touted by Illinois lawmakers that will incentivize data centers to be located in the state. The new law will give data centers of a certain size a sale tax incentive. Digital Realty Chief Executive Officer William Stein says that these centers are the hubs of future business.

The centers will have to be a project of more than $250 million and supporters say that adding new data centers to Illinois will bolster the state’s tech credentials.