SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker and other state leaders say Illinois is ready to lead the world in quantum research and innovation. Multiple new quantum labs have opened across the state to improve work in energy and manufacturing.
Pritzker announced an ambitious multi-year plan Monday for a Chicago quantum facility to develop technology solutions for fraud detection, grid resilience and drug discovery. The Bloch Tech Hub submitted this idea while applying for the second round of funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program.
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"By expanding educational programs and developing the needed physical infrastructure, the Bloch will create a talent pipeline in our traditionally underserved communities where these types of opportunities truly are the most needed," Pritzker said.
The governor and Bloch leaders hope to utilize the federal funding for projects led by IBM, Microsoft, City Colleges of Chicago and multiples quantum companies while building the nation's largest community college-led quantum program. They also plan to have the best software, hardware and networks to advance quantum technology development.
"In the next decade, we will create 30,000 quantum jobs, train 50,000 workers, support 200 quantum companies and ultimately generate over $60 billion in economic impact for the region," said Meera Raja, regional innovation officer for The Bloch.
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during an event at mHUB Chicago on April 1, 2024.
While some elected officials have become self-proclaimed "quantum geeks," you may wonder what this investment could mean to you. Pritzker noted that this technology will be used in many aspects of daily life as Illinois tries to become the next Silicon Valley.
"Encryption will be unbreakable," Pritzker stressed. "Think about what if would mean for all of us if everything was unhackable and if the US government had that as well in order to protect us and the US government from foreign actors."
Pritzker has also proposed a $500 million boost in funding for quantum-related capital investments in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. He hopes to build a quantum campus and cryogenic facility for quantum technology and microelectronics to attract the best scientists and quantum companies to Illinois.
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