Complete Kewanee Data Center Materials
last updated: Oct 27, 2026
About This Transparency Page
The Geneseo Current created this page to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at our reporting on the proposed Kewanee data center, including the steps we've taken to gather information, the public records we've requested, and the responses we've received.
The timeline documents our research process, FOIA requests, communications with city officials, and supporting materials used to verify information and inform our coverage.
Our goal is to make our reporting process transparent, allow readers to examine the original documentation, and demonstrate how information is gathered and verified. The inclusion of materials on this page does not imply wrongdoing or mean that every statement contained within them has been independently verified.
Oct 14, 2026- FOIA request: any proposals, development plans, permit applications, correspondence, or supporting documentation submitted to or exchanged with the City regarding this project; any available information concerning the proposed facility's size, intended use, infrastructure requirements, and anticipated development timeline. See document.
Oct 15, 2026- FOIA request: Any data-center-related correspondence created or received since my October 14 request that has not already been provided to me; final adopted version of Kewanee’s data-center ordinance or working draft; records dated January 1, 2026, through the present discussing a potential data center’s water use, electricity demand, infrastructure requirements, tax incentives, or expected employment. See document.
Oct 16, 2026- Request for Comment sent via email to Mayor Moore.
Oct 16, 2026- Article published: “Records Show July Voicemail From Developer Predated Kewanee's Data Center Debate”
Oct 16, 2026, FOIA Request: copies of all communications between Pawel Nowak (including communications made on behalf of Nowak Securities) and any City of Kewanee officials, employees, or representatives from January 1, 2026, through the date this request is processed; emails, text messages, letters, voicemails, meeting correspondence, and any other written or recorded communications, including those maintained on personal devices or accounts if used for city business. See document.
Oct 21, 2026- Received anonymous phone call from Kewanee citizen asking us to further investigate specific people, legal documents, transactions.
Oct 21, 2026- Article published: “Kewanee Data Center Proposal Calls for 20 Megawatts of Power, 20,000 Gallons of Diesel Storage”
Oct 21, 2026- Request for Clarification: “Were the mayor's text messages, voicemail records, and any personal devices or accounts used for city business included in the search? Were any communications between Nowak and city officials identified before October 18? If no additional records were located, can you confirm that the October 18–19 email chain represents the entirety of the responsive records maintained by the city?” See document.
Oct 26, 2026- Kewanee City Council Meeting- Click for video. Click for transcript.
Oct 27, 2026- Received email from Kewanee citizen [name withheld] about Kewanee City Council meeting on 10-26-26. Name and email verified and retained.
Oct 27, 2026- Received an unsolicited email from an unidentified sender using a Gmail account, expressing criticism of The Geneseo Current and its coverage. Email headers and IP address retained.
Oct 27, 2026- Received phone call from Kewanee citizen [name withheld] asking us to further investigate specific people, legal documents, transactions. Name and phone verified and retained.
Oct 27, 2026- Email sent to Mayor Moore and City Manager Mitchell (copy to the City Attorney) asking the city to identify any published information it believes is factually inaccurate, following statements at the October 26 Kewanee City Council meeting alleging that The Geneseo Current spread misinformation about the proposed data center. See document.
Oct 27, 2026- Text message received from Kewanee citizen [name withheld] asking us to further investigate specific people, legal documents, transactions. Name and phone verified and retained.
Oct 27, 2026- STATEMENT FROM THE CURRENT
The Geneseo Current has made the decision to permanently conclude its investigation and reporting on the proposed Kewanee data center.
We continue to believe this is a significant issue with legitimate questions deserving public attention and further examination. However, the time and resources required to pursue this story thoroughly exceed what our small, independent news organization can reasonably commit.
Our responsibility is to prioritize Geneseo. Accordingly, we will not be conducting additional research, submitting further records requests, or providing ongoing coverage of this development.
This transparency page will remain publicly accessible as an archive of the records, correspondence, and research gathered during our investigation. It will not be updated.
We appreciate those who provided information, raised questions, and followed our reporting. Our decision to conclude this work is final and reflects our operational priorities, not a determination about the merits of the proposed development.