Investing for future jobs, Pritzker optimistic for quantum research advancing in Illinois

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois has made significant investments for quantum research over the past five years as Gov. JB Pritzker hopes the state can become the next Silicon Valley. Pritzker believes Illinois can be the most competitive state for quantum jobs.



The Democrat said research and development that once took decades can now move forward in a matter of months thanks to quantum technology.


Multiple companies have expanded or moved to Illinois for quantum projects and lawmakers approved $500 million this spring to build a massive research campus in Chicago.

“This industry and this ecosystem and the many causes that will benefit from it have the potential to bring untold economic prosperity, tens of thousands of jobs and billions in private investment, capital directly into our communities and quantum will become one of the most transformative technologies that has ever been developed,” Pritzker said Monday.

The Democrat said research and development that once took decades can now move forward in a matter of months thanks to quantum technology. He is optimistic that Illinois can lead the country in developing solutions for fraud detection, drug discovery and grid resilience among other areas.

“The beauty of science and our collective vision for a quantum ecosystem is that each breakthrough, however small, brings us just a little bit closer to the seismic advancements that can change everything,” Pritzker said.

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Pritzker noted this is the first inning of the “quantum game” and the University of Illinois is playing a major role to help the state be at the forefront.

“I believe that companies that want to develop their software or the hardware that will come from all the research being done now will want to locate as close as possible to the emanation of the newest ideas that are coming out,” Pritzker said.

The governor told people attending the Chicago Quantum Exchange Summit that he may have successfully convinced a few Japanese companies to move their quantum research to Illinois during his trade mission trip earlier this month.

Pritzker said he is thrilled to have the University of Illinois Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) building out the future quantum and microelectronics park.

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