* Press release…
Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined leaders from IBM and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to announce the renewal and the expansion of the IBM–Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute, a forward step for Illinois’ fast-growing quantum and AI ecosystem which highlights the state’s continued commitment to strengthening our workforce to develop the next‑generation of computing.
“I’m pleased to see the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute building on years of progress and partnership with U. of I. as Illinois innovators pursue critical discoveries in quantum computing and AI,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois’ world-class research institutions, unique industry collaborations, and unmatched research talent position our state at the forefront of global progress, and I look forward to seeing the countless advancements that this expansion will bring.”
“IBM is thrilled to help provide quantum-centric supercomputing to Illinois researchers, alongside an expansion of the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute’s efforts in AI for systems design,” said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. “As the brilliant minds within the Institute discover and test new algorithms, they will drive groundbreaking research to power the applications made possible by AI and quantum computing.” […]
This expansion builds on Illinois’ major public investments to make the state the nation’s center of quantum innovation. Under Gov. Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois has built the ecosystem necessary to make this a reality. The administration has committed $500 million to launch the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) and previously invested $200 million to support the Chicago Quantum Exchange — the first state in the country to make that level of commitment to quantum research.
The IQMP will be on the city’s far Southeast Side.
* From the press conference…
Q: A lot of folks at yesterday’s Chicago City Council meeting expressed concerns about the site, quantum project, environmental considerations, using the lake for cooling, community benefits agreements. What assurances can you offer for them that this development, which a lot of people don’t really understand, probably, will benefit everyone in that area?
Pritzker: Well, can I start with the idea that we have a piece of property on the lakefront that sat dormant for more than 30 years and that has had environmental issues that nobody wanted to spend any money dealing with and so at a bare minimum, let’s start with, isn’t it a good thing to remediate the property and have good use put to it and and bring people who have dollars every day to work there? Because that will benefit the neighborhood.
And indeed, I think I saw a group of neighbors who came together to say, ‘This is good for our businesses in the community.’
Beyond that, though, we’ve also been focused on how do we make sure that we’re bringing even more benefit to the community? That all has been a conversation that PSI Quantum has brought to the fore. IBM also has been involved.
And so I’m really, you know, a little bit bewildered sometimes at complaints that people are lodging. I get that everybody would like something, if something’s going to happen in the neighborhood, everybody would like something to come from it.
I can tell you this, nothing was there before. Nothing was happening before.
So, we’re going to see, I think, a tremendous amount of development that occurs. And I don’t know, you said something about about environmental issues, and I can just tell you the environmental issue was already there. And now again, remediation, putting something very useful on the site.
The the cooling systems that exist for these things have recycled water usage. I mean, that’s, I think, become de rigueur, or, you know, commonplace now, for the when they create, you’re creating these kinds of facilities. So I’m pleased about all the discussion that’s gone on about making sure that it’s environmentally sound. It is, and it’s being reviewed, by the way, by the environmental authorities like the IEPA.
Thoughts?
- Homebody - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 12:46 pm:
“I can tell you this, nothing was there before. Nothing was happening before.”
I’m on board with this, generally speaking. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. It can be frustrating to see economic development of otherwise unused or underused property because everyone wants to get the specific thing they want out of a specific development. Whether we are talking industrial, commercial, or residential development, it plays out over and over and over.
- John Candy and Nuts - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 12:57 pm:
Paging former SACO County Board Member Marc Ayers…
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 1:08 pm:
The State of Illinois does not print money. Every dime that we spent is a dime that came from somewhere. We’re dropping 700 million on quantum computing and it doesn’t seem like the State of Illinois is going to own any of the technology that we’re paying to develop. I have been dubious about the “return on investment” that the public will see out of this project and no one really seems to be talking about what new revenues we could expect to come from this investment. This isn’t a bridge that many thousands of people get to use every day. It’s research and development costs for a private corporation.
IBM’s market capitalization is about $250 billion dollars.
I’m not sure why they need our help and the Governor hasn’t made a great case for what we stand to benefit from helping them.
===that sat dormant for more than 30 years and that has had environmental issues===
Building something with new environmental issues is not the flex that the Governor thinks it is.
===The the cooling systems that exist for these things have recycled water usage===
This is something we’re learning in other super computing infrastructure is a bit of a lie.
In a vacuum this kind of project might have be less of an issue, but we’re not in a vacuum, and ‘data centers’ are incredibly unpopular and this research facility is a very fancy, very expensive, and has no practical application for public use and no one really seems to be saying what the public gain here is.
We’re grumpy about building a stadium for a 6 billion dollar NFL franchise. One should expect us to be grumpy paying for the R&D for even more well heeled corporations.
- Joseph M - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 1:15 pm:
I agree with Pritzker here. The quantum campus is a jobmaker in a disinvested neighborhood, and a first-of-its-kind facility that offers Chicagoland the chance to become the world’s hub of quantum tech if the industry develops. Win-win.
But there are a few unlucky background factors:
-a nationwide surge in backlash to data centers and anything remotely related
-local worries about displacement due to ballooning housing costs/taxes
-the media’s bad habit of elevating voices of a few grumpy neighbors above everyone else, portraying a false equivalency and riling up more neighbors
And I think some aspects of community benefits agreements are smart (pollution mitigation, targeted job recruiting, etc.), but just look at what some of the community members are demanding: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xp1w2lnmDs2s_Iompzvfl3gxZnuRmgef/view
1. Protections for Homeowners and Renters, including property tax relief for 30 years, the same tax breaks received by the
developer, Related Midwest.
2. Establishment of a credit union so that local residents can access capital for home improvements, purchases and repairs,
and starting small businesses.
3. Creation of a community center that serves all ages and backgrounds and honors the legacies of former South Works
steelworkers and their families.
4. Construction of new housing on vacant lots that is 50% affordable to local community residents (30% AMI) and sized for
families with 3 to 4 bedrooms.
5. Prioritize the sale of vacant lots to neighborhood buyers, not absentee landlords and outside investors, and prioritize anti-
displacement efforts for seniors and the longest-term residents.
6. Invest in resident-owned solar power to defray souring utility costs and prevent power blackouts or brownouts as a result
of the extreme power needs required by the development.
7. Work with policy makers to establish public transportation access and alleviate food and pharmacy deserts.
Unfortunately for the Southeast Side, demands like this are a big warning to investors, who are now more likely to stay far away from that neighborhood.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 1:20 pm:
===The quantum campus is a jobmaker in a disinvested neighborhood===
How many millions per job we talking here? And who exactly is getting hired to do what that is from the neighborhood that’s being invested in?
These are questions someone living in the neighborhood should be asking and people living anywhere in the state might be interested in knowing.
=== a big warning to investors===
I don’t think I’d be at all alarmed by my neighbors wanting to same property tax benefits I am getting.
- Original Rambler - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 1:28 pm:
Agree with JB on this one. It’s about time someone came up with a use for that site. I have confidence that the state will ensure it is built and operated in an environmentally acceptable manner. Can’t say that if the feds were involved.
- ElTacoBandito - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 1:58 pm:
I think all of the AI hubbub has allowed quantum computing to fly under the radar a little bit. Hopefully this allows the City and State to stay the leaders in this area of technology. I think it is gonna be as much of a game changer as any technology we’ve seen since the start of computers.
- Think Again - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 2:09 pm:
=And so I’m really, you know, a little bit bewildered sometimes at complaints that people are lodging=
You would think he would have a thicker skin against legitimate concerns raised by some. Not exactly a (Pre-Trump) presidential response.
- Merica - Thursday, Apr 16, 26 @ 2:20 pm:
The State spends about $100m a year with IBM, so it’s nice IBM gave a little back