South Chicago residents, businesses form coalition supporting Illinois' quantum computing campus - Chicago Sun-Times
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Rendering of PsiQuantum’s facility at the former U.S.
Steel South Works site will have the country’s first utility-scale quantum computer.Provided by PsiQuantum SHARE COPY LINK Share CLOSE Twitter Facebook Bluesky Email Reddit Flipboard A coalition of about 20 businesses and residents announced Monday a new group called the Southeast Neighbors For Quantum to show their support for the 128-acre Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, despite pushback from some Chicagoans over the massive development project.Members of the coalition — ranging from fourth-generation residents of South Chicago and South Shore to small businesses and local school officials — expressed a desire to not let South Chicago’s chance for economic growth and investment pass by, during a news conference.Jorge Perez, owner of Chico’s Oven in South Chicago, said the coalition sprang from a desire to ensure “the authentic voice of Southeast Chicago residents” is involved in the quantum park project and the entire 400-acre Quantum Shore development.
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park makes up a portion of the massive Quantum Shore development, which will include a 52-bed Advocate Health Care hospital.“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Perez said. “We’re actually at the beginning of a new era, and we believe it holds a lot of wonderful opportunities for us and for our families.”Perez said he and other residents have been frustrated by quantum campus protesters, who are from other neighborhoods like Logan Square and Humboldt Park and don’t represent the feelings of South Chicago residents. The protesters also don’t support local businesses when they hold events or news conferences in the neighborhood, he said.“We do not want — and we don’t need — others from outside of the community … to speak on our behalf,” Perez said. “We’ve seen a lot of that over the last couple months.” Southeast Neighbors for Quantum members Sharon Brown-Latiker (left), Jorge Perez, Erika Galan and Roni FacenProvided by Southeast Neighbors for Quantum Several organizations, including Southside Together and Alliance of the Southeast have held protests and voiced their opposition to the project. The alliance and its larger group, Coalition for a South Works CBA, have not necessarily opposed the quantum campus, but they’ve called for a community benefits agreement for any redevelopment of the former steel mill. Southside Together, which includes South Chicago residents, has strongly condemned the quantum park and has instead asked lawmakers to consider developments it thinks would better suit the community’s needs, like a grocery store or pharmacy.The quantum campus broke ground in October 2025 with the construction of Palo Alto, California-based PsiQuantum’s facility. The building will house the country’s first utility-scale quantum computer.The campus will lead to new jobs in quantum computing and related scientific fields — and more foot traffic for existing and new small businesses, Erika Galan, a South Chicago resident and program manager at the Calumet Area Industrial Commission, said.Roni Facen, principal and CEO of St. Francis de Sales High School, said she’s already seen the impact of the quantum campus. The park is partnering with local schools to introduce quantum programming, which has helped engage students.“We’re preparing kids for jobs that don’t exist yet, and I think this way they can see it. They know that it’s there, and they can touch it,” Facen said. “I want to see our community change. I want to see it grow. I want to give the next generation of young people the opportunity to see that come into real play. And this is what it’s about.”Facen and Galan were involved in the creation of the South Chicago Quality of Life Plan, which launched in January. The plan drew feedback from more than 1,000 residents in the South Side neighborhood to identify key areas for growth over the next five to seven years. It also found the neighborhood’s population decreased by 24% since 2000, even though the area’s income and education level has increased.The new coalition sees the quantum park as a way to fight population loss and disinvestment.Sharon Brown-Latiker, founding member of the Southeast Neighbors For Quantum and fourth-generation resident of South Chicago, has family that worked at the South Works steel mill. She said she’s excited about Quantum Shore because it will bring jobs and investments back to land that’s been vacant for years, after multiple redevelopment plans fell through.“We have been a community that has been forgotten because we are so far over East,” Brown-Latiker said. “But I want you to know today that we will not be forgotten. South Chicago is here, and we are here to stay. Our kids and our grandkids will be inspired by this cutting-edge technology. … [What] was once an eyesore is turning into a jewel in our neighborhood.” SHARE COPY LINK Share CLOSE Twitter Facebook Bluesky Email Reddit Flipboard Abby Miller Chicago Sun-TimesMoney reporter, development Money Have a money question? As part of a weekly audio segment, we want to help you tackle your personal finance questions. Ask us Next Up In News Chicago selected as finalist to host Democratic National Convention Chicago named No. 1 on annual ranking for corporate relocations North Center mural depicting Ukrainian refugee defaced Man shot near CTA Red Line, police say Amazon rolling out drone delivery service in Chicago suburbs Voters turn out across Chicago's 50 wards, suburbs ahead of March 17 primary