Illinois secures $30 million in federal funding as Gov. Pritzker says state is becoming “the global capital of quantum”

Illinois – Illinois has secured approximately $30 million in federal funding for The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, a major investment state leaders say will strengthen domestic manufacturing, create high-paying jobs, and position Illinois as a global leader in quantum technology.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the funding after the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the grant through its Tech Hubs program, which is designed to accelerate innovation in strategically important industries across the United States.

“This award is a powerful validation of Illinois’ vision to become the global capital of quantum — helping us accelerate innovation, strengthen supply chains, and create good-paying jobs,” Pritzker said.

“Together with our historic investments in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, our state is building an innovation ecosystem to drive economic growth and shape the future of quantum for decades to come — with Illinois and the United States in a leadership role.”

The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, aims to expand the domestic manufacturing base for quantum technology components while strengthening U.S. supply chains.

State officials said the project is part of Illinois’ long-term strategy to become a worldwide center for quantum computing, semiconductor innovation, and advanced technology development.

The federal investment builds on Pritzker’s previous $500 million commitment to establish the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), a first-of-its-kind campus dedicated to quantum technology research, manufacturing, and commercialization.

Officials said the new funding will help construct a specialized supplier facility known as the FaQtory, which will provide advanced manufacturing space for companies producing quantum components.

The building is expected to place suppliers alongside major quantum computing companies to accelerate research, product development, and commercialization.

The EDA grant will be combined with nearly $13 million in matching funds from the State of Illinois.

According to state officials, nearly $11 million of the state’s contribution will support construction of the FaQtory, while an additional $2 million will help coordinate The Bloch’s projects and connect participating organizations with available federal and state resources.

David Awschalom, director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange and principal investigator for The Bloch, said the initiative is designed to strengthen American leadership in quantum technology while expanding manufacturing across the Midwest.

“The Bloch will drive U.S. quantum leadership, strengthen national security, and create jobs by eliminating barriers to domestic quantum manufacturing,” Awschalom said, noting that Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin already rank among the nation’s leading manufacturing states.

The announcement coincides with the second annual Global Quantum Forum in Chicago, where government officials, researchers, universities, and private industry leaders gathered to discuss advances in quantum computing and future collaboration.

State officials said Illinois’ growing quantum ecosystem continues attracting major technology companies and research institutions.

IQMP Chief Executive Officer Dr. Harley Johnson said the supplier facility will become a key part of the state’s strategy by bringing manufacturers closer to the companies developing next-generation quantum technologies.

The project also received praise from Illinois’ congressional delegation.

Sen. Dick Durbin said the investment further establishes Illinois as a national leader in quantum technology while strengthening domestic supply chains and creating high-paying jobs.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth called quantum computing the future, saying the federal investment would help expand Illinois’ leadership while supporting innovation, job creation, health care research, and national security.

The EDA’s Tech Hubs program was created to strengthen the nation’s economic competitiveness by investing in regions with the resources and talent needed to lead future technologies. Officials said the funding will help move scientific breakthroughs from research laboratories into commercial manufacturing while expanding the nation’s quantum technology capabilities.

Since taking office, Pritzker has made quantum computing one of his administration’s top economic development priorities, previously investing $200 million in the Chicago Quantum Exchange in addition to the state’s $500 million commitment to the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. State officials say those investments have helped attract leading companies, including IBM, PsiQuantum, Infleqtion, Pasqal, Diraq, and Quantum Machines, further cementing Illinois’ position in the rapidly growing quantum technology industry.