Groundbreaking at Chicago quantum park

TL;DR

Groundbreaking Ceremony: Gov. JB Pritzker led the September 30, 2025, groundbreaking for the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago's former U.S. Steel South Works site.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)[[2]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker)
State Funding: Illinois committed $500 million in 2024 for the 440-acre park, where PsiQuantum will build an 300,000-square-foot facility as anchor tenant.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)
Economic Goals: The project aims to draw billions in investment, create thousands of jobs on the South Side, and position Illinois as a quantum leader.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)

The story at a glance

Work began on the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, a multibillion-dollar quantum computing campus on Chicago's South Side, with a groundbreaking ceremony led by Gov. JB Pritzker on September 30, 2025. Key players include PsiQuantum as anchor tenant, park CEO Harley Johnson, and developers Related Midwest and CRG; other firms like IBM, Infleqtion, and Diraq plan operations there. The story is reported now to cover this milestone event after years of state investments and site planning. The site was once U.S. Steel's South Works, shuttered in 1992.

Key points

Site covers 440 acres on Lake Michigan near 87th Street, formerly a major steel plant that employed 20,000 at its peak.
First phase builds roads, power infrastructure, and an 80,000-square-foot PsiQuantum structure with offices, computing spaces, and cryogenic cooling.
State added $500 million in 2024 to prior $200 million quantum investments; project expected to attract billions more over a decade.
PsiQuantum, based in California, agreed in 2024 to develop a utility-scale quantum computer in a 300,000-square-foot facility.
Quantum tech promises advances in health care, energy, climate, transportation, finance, and agriculture by solving complex problems faster.
Proximity to University of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago, and Northwestern, plus local manufacturing skills, draws firms.
Plans include housing, retail, trails, and lakefront path extensions while preserving landscapes like Steelworkers Park.

Details and context

The park repurposes a long-vacant industrial site after failed past redevelopment ideas, such as 13,000 homes. Developers need City Council approvals for later phases, which could add community spaces along South DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

Quantum computing requires precision machining and supply chains, similar to auto manufacturing; Chicago's workforce and economy make it appealing for tenant relationships. The project builds on Pritzker's priority to make Illinois a national quantum hub, with tenants like DARPA-funded firms joining.

Key quotes

“Today we break ground on a landmark project that will establish Illinois as the nation’s leading hub for quantum innovation while attracting billions in economic investment and creating thousands of jobs,” Pritzker said in a statement.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)

“Ultimately, (a quantum computer) is a computer that solves big problems and solves them really fast,” said Harley Johnson, executive director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)

Why it matters

Quantum advancements could transform fields like health care and climate solutions, boosting U.S. competitiveness. For South Side residents, it means potential thousands of jobs and billions in investment after decades without major development. Watch for phase approvals, tenant builds, and actual job numbers, as full impacts depend on future progress.

What changed

Before, the 440-acre site was a demolished U.S. Steel South Works, vacant since 1992 with failed redevelopment plans. Now, construction starts on quantum facilities with PsiQuantum as anchor and state backing. The shift happened at the September 30, 2025, groundbreaking.

FAQ

Q: What is the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park?

A: It is a new campus on Chicago's South Side for quantum computing and microelectronics firms. The state committed $500 million in 2024, building on $200 million prior investments. PsiQuantum anchors with a 300,000-square-foot facility for a utility-scale quantum computer.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)

Q: Who are the main companies involved?

A: PsiQuantum is the anchor tenant, with IBM, Infleqtion, and Diraq also planning operations. Some like Diraq receive DARPA funding. Developers Related Midwest and CRG handle the first phase.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)

Q: Why was the former U.S. Steel site chosen?

A: The 440-acre lakefront location offers space for infrastructure like cryogenic facilities. It is near universities and has a workforce skilled in precision manufacturing. Developers plan to add housing and trails.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)

Q: What does the first phase include?

A: It covers new roads, power upgrades, and an 80,000-square-foot PsiQuantum building with offices and cooling systems. Later phases await City Council approval. The project aims for billions in total investment.[[1]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/quantum-computing-hub-pritzker/)