PsiQuantum, IBM, Infleqtion, Pasqal and Diraq join Illinois quantum park
Updated
Updated · Chicago Reader · May 4
PsiQuantum, IBM, Infleqtion, Pasqal and Diraq join Illinois quantum park
7 articles · Updated · Chicago Reader · May 4
Construction has begun at the South Chicago campus on the former U.S. Steel South Works site, with first buildings due in 2027 and PsiQuantum targeting a utility-scale machine by 2028.
IBM plans a National Quantum Algorithm Center and 750 jobs by 2030, while DARPA-backed proving-ground funding totals $140m federally, matched by Illinois.
The project aims to make Chicago a quantum hub, but nearby residents have raised concerns about displacement, military ties, environmental effects and whether local communities will benefit.
Will Chicago's billion-dollar quantum bet create local prosperity or just another high-tech island in a sea of inequality?
With a 'Q-Day' deadline looming, can Chicago's quantum hub win the race to secure America's most vital national secrets?
As a quantum park rises on toxic land, can South Chicago residents secure protections before being priced out or polluted?
IQMP’s Quantum Revolution: Major Tenants, Multi-Platform Innovation, and Economic Impact on Chicago’s South Side
Overview
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) launched in 2025 with a $500 million state investment, transforming Chicago's South Side into a leading quantum technology hub. Early tenant programs enabled companies like PsiQuantum, Pasqal, IBM, and Diraq to begin operations quickly, supported by shared infrastructure such as a state-funded cryoplant. IQMP brings together diverse quantum technologies—photonic, neutral-atom, superconducting, and silicon-based—fostering collaboration and innovation. With over $1 billion invested, the park drives significant job creation and workforce development through initiatives like IBM's apprenticeship program. Backed by strong academic partnerships and strategic industry alliances, IQMP is positioned to advance fault-tolerant quantum computing and deliver impactful applications while prioritizing community equity and sustainable growth.