Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Innovate Illinois have proposed a $500 million investment for the advancement of beyond silicon quantum technology. This investment, part of the state’s budget proposal, aims to position Illinois as a national leader in the semiconductor industry, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. The proposal includes the development of a state-of-the-art campus with a cryogenic facility for research and development in next-generation microelectronics and quantum technologies. The investment aligns with Illinois’ efforts to secure the National Semiconductor Technology Center headquarters under the CHIPS and Science Act.
Illinois’ Quantum Technology Investment
In a recent announcement, Innovate Illinois Chair and Governor JB Pritzker proposed a $500 million investment towards the development of beyond silicon quantum technology in Illinois. This significant investment, part of the state’s latest budget proposal, aims to position Illinois at the forefront of the semiconductor industry, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. The proposal includes the development of a state-of-the-art campus with a cryogenic facility, crucial for research and development in next-generation microelectronics and quantum technologies.
The creation of this facility and an accompanying quantum campus, which will receive $300 million of the total investment, highlights the state’s commitment to fostering cutting-edge R&D. This includes designing, testing, and packaging at the intersection of the semiconductor industry and quantum information technology.
Aligning with the CHIPS and Science Act
The investment is part of a broader strategic move to leverage billions in federal funding available for technology sectors. This reinforces Illinois’ role in the national and global technological race and aligns with Illinois’ efforts to secure the headquarters of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) under the CHIPS and Science Act.
Innovate Illinois is at the core of Governor Pritzker’s vision to align the state of Illinois investments with an unmatched network of public-private partnerships to secure CHIPS and Science act funding and build a brighter future for our nation. The state’s history of attracting federal grants and private investments, notably in quantum technology, further cements its position in quantum technology.
Quantum Ecosystem and Economic Impact
Illinois’ quantum ecosystem, supported by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, provides a well-established foundation for this ambitious project. The national labs are a part of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, the largest university-led quantum initiative in the country, anchored by the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Northwestern University.
This historic investment is anticipated to fuel innovation, generate employment opportunities, and bolster economic resilience across Illinois and the nation, signifying a major leap forward for the technological sector and securing a prosperous future for Illinois and beyond.
Innovate Illinois is a public-private coalition that was formed to drive the coordinated and robust effort in securing unprecedented levels of federal funding made available by landmark legislation including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Securing more federal funding for key technologies will propel the state to attract more companies and investors to grow Illinois’ vibrant tech ecosystem.
Several key figures in the tech industry have expressed their support for this initiative. Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President, IBM Quantum, noted that Illinois’ capital investments signify a long-term strategy that will unlock new technological frontiers. Paul Alivisatos, President of the University of Chicago, expressed enthusiasm about the partnerships with the remarkable research universities and national laboratories as they form the world’s premiere quantum technology community. Derek Douglas, President of Civic Committee, highlighted that the state’s investments position the region to lead in quantum and advanced computing.
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