Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is a planned 128-acre technology campus on the site of the former U.S. Steel South Works on the south side of Chicago.[1][2] It will focus on quantum computing and is not an AI data center.

Plans for the IQMP are part of the larger “Quantum Shore Chicago” redevelopment of the former U.S. Steel South Works site, a long-vacant industrial area in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. The broader project is expected to include advanced manufacturing facilities, research centers, housing, and a replacement hospital, with an initial phase estimated at about $9 billion in investment.[3]

The overall park is expected to cost $9 billion to construct. Work is expected to begin in 2026 and be complete in 2028.[4]

Tenants

PsiQuantum of Palo Alto, California has been announced as the anchor tenant of the IQMP,[5] PsiQuantum intends to build and deploy America’s first million-qubit scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer. Other tenants include the DARPA-Illinois Quantum Proving Ground,[6] IBM, Diraq, Quantum Machines, and Infleqtion.[7][8] French quantum computing company Pasqal will invest more than $65 million to build its U.S. headquarters there.

History

President of Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site on September 30, 2025.[9]

Friends of the Parks, ETHOS and Alliance of the Southeast organized to request a community benefits agreement for the development of the quantum campus, asking that 25% of full-time employees hired in the first three years are residents of the surrounding area.[10]

Community response

The proposal has generated local debate, with some community groups expressing concerns about potential gentrification, environmental cleanup risks, and the availability of jobs for nearby residents, while supporters argue the development could help reverse decades of economic decline in the area.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park". University of Illinois.
  2. ^ "Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park". Illinois EPA.
  3. ^ a b "Debate grows over $9 billion Quantum Shore redevelopment plan in Chicago's South Shore". Chicago City Wire. 2026-02-21. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ^ Achong, Ian (2025-09-11). "Illinois Quantum And Microelectronics Park Moves Closer To Groundbreaking". Chicago YIMBY. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ^ "Gov. Pritzker Announces Location and PsiQuantum as Anchor Tenant of New Quantum Park". Governor JB Pritzker - Newsroom. July 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park". Chicago Quantum.
  7. ^ Swayne, Matt (February 4, 2026). "Quantum Machines Becomes Sixth Tenant At Illinois Quantum Park". Quantum Insider.
  8. ^ "Groundbreaking of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park creates anchor for quantum innovation". UChicago News. October 3, 2025.
  9. ^ Miller, Abby (October 1, 2025). "Construction kicks off at old steel mill in South Chicago, making way for massive quantum computing campus". Chicago Sun-Times.
  10. ^ Ortiz, Joel (December 30, 2025). "Organizers Push for Ballot Referendum on South Chicago Quantum Computing Campus". WTTW.
  • Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park
  • Media related to Quantum computer at Wikimedia Commons
  • Learning materials related to Quantum computing at Wikiversity

41°44′6.17″N 87°32′3.32″W / 41.7350472°N 87.5342556°W / 41.7350472; -87.5342556


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