City Cast Chicago logo
Display Ad: Enjoy Illinois, Meet in the middle
February 22, 2026

‘Your City Could Be Better’: What Chicago Needs To Know about Madison's Data Centers Fight

City Cast Chicago

‘Your City Could Be Better’: What Chicago Needs To Know about Madison's Data Centers Fight

00:00:00
View all City Cast Chicago episodes

Everyone’s talking about AI these days, including Chicagoans. And now, more data centers are popping up across the country, thanks in part to the AI revolution. But some cities are stemming the tide, including Madison, Wisconsin, who recently passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. City Cast CEO David Plotz feels strongly that this was the wrong choice! He’s sitting down with City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin to weigh the pros and cons of data centers, and debate the economic, ethical, and ecological considerations at the heart of this debate. Plus, David and Bianca share must-know tips for making it in Madison and DC. 

We also mentioned this City Cast Madison episode.

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Chicago

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
May 15

What Are Mental Health Courts? Plus, United Center Tax Break and Obama Center Gentrification

Mental health courts have proliferated in Illinois, but how effective are they? Grace Hauck with the Illinois Answers Project joins Justi...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 14

Churches Build Housing, Maxwell Street’s Loss, and It’s Patio Season!

Lawmakers in Springfield are considering legislation that would make it easier for churches to build multifamily housing on land they own...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 13

The DNC in Chicago ... Again?! Plus, Best Late-Night Bites

DNC officials are wrapping up a three-day visit as the city is a finalist to host the 2028 and 2032 conventions. We talked with contribut...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 12

Are Chicago’s Scooters Safe? Plus, How Bad Will Mosquito Season Be?

Are more regulations coming to the city’s scooters and ebikes? Following several fatal accidents involving minors, lawmakers have propose...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 11

A Rare, All Good News Episode

What sets Chicago brick apart? Why are bald eagles returning to Chicago? What would you wait in line for? City Cast Chicago contributors...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 8

Why Is Mayor Johnson In Springfield? Plus, Chicago's First Baby Eagles in a Century

Why did Mayor Brandon Johnson go to Springfield? Will state police actually investigate the killing of Silverio Villegas González by ICE...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 7

What Chicago Kids Want Us to Know

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Earlier this year, we visited the Carole Robertson Center for Learning at their Albany Park site to talk...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 6

Will Chicago Hospitals Resume Trans Youth Healthcare? Plus, What is the RIFL Act?

In April, a federal judge ruled the Trump administration could not cut Medicare and Medicaid funding to hospitals providing gender-affirm...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 5

Immigrant Families Facing Evictions. Plus, CPS Manages May Day

A new report shines light on how immigrant families in Chicago continue to suffer months after the height of Operation Midway Blitz. Many...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 4

Your Guide to May 2026 in Chicago

May flowers are blooming all around us as summertime Chicago is on the horizon. We’ve got your guide to what’s happening in Chicago this...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art