Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is making waves with a bold move, earmarking a hefty $500 million from his latest budget to propel quantum computing efforts forward.
This significant investment is part of a larger strategy to position Illinois as a frontrunner in cutting-edge fields like semiconductors, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence.
In a recent chat with Axios, Pritzker broke down the funding plan: $200 million for a cryogenic facility crucial for cooling quantum computing systems, another $100 million for developing a quantum campus site, and an additional $200 million in matching funds.
Pritzker stressed that Illinois is already making strides in quantum development, and this substantial financial commitment will push the state even further ahead.
Furthermore, the investment aligns with Illinois’ bid to host the headquarters of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), a key research and development hub established under the Biden administration’s $280 billion CHIPS Act.
With renowned national labs like Fermi and Argonne, prestigious academic institutions like the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois, and collaborative initiatives like the Chicago Quantum Exchange, Illinois has a solid foundation to emerge as a leader in the NSTC competition.
According to Nick Farina, CEO of quantum computing startup EeroQ, Chicago is the prime location for such endeavors due to its favorable environment.
However, Illinois faces tough competition from Silicon Valley and other states like Arizona, Texas, Ohio, New York, and Indiana, which have also secured significant semiconductor investments.
Nevertheless, Pritzker remains hopeful about garnering support from the legislature for his proposal, seeing it as a catalyst for job creation and attracting further investment to the state.
In essence, Pritzker’s ambitious plan underscores Illinois’ commitment to spearheading advancements in quantum computing and semiconductor technology.
