Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park Expansion
Gov. JB Pritzker has made accelerating quantum technology development one of his key economic development priorities over the last few years, with the Illinois General Assembly passing quantum-related incentives as part of Public Act 103-595, the FY 2025 Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Omnibus. The state allocated $500M over five years through the Quantum Enterprise Zone tax incentive for infrastructure and research and development facilities at a future quantum computing campus.
Following the passage of incentive legislation, the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) began construction in September 2025 at the long-abandoned former U.S. Steel South Works campus on the Southeast Side of Chicago. The state also provided another $200M in tax incentives to California-based PsiQuantum, to become IQMP’s anchor tenant with a $1.1B investment in the site to construct the country’s first fault-tolerant utility-scale quantum computer. To align with Illinois’ Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Program for high-tech manufacturing, Cook County created a new Class 8 MICRO property tax incentive, building on its Class 8 incentive for commercial and industrial projects in areas experiencing severe economic depression but specifically for MICRO-eligible projects. The incentive reduces property tax assessment rates from the standard 25% level to 10% for 30 years, and will apply to MICRO-eligible projects in Cook County Class 8 incentive zones.
In addition to PsiQuantum, IBM, Diraq, Infleqtion, DARPA’s Quantum Proving Ground, and the National Quantum Algorithm Center all plan to be core tenants at the IQMP. IQMP also plans to partner with various corporations and universities, including but not limited to: Duality, P33, Chicago Quantum Exchange, University of Illinois, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and Chicago State University. The partnering entities will work to facilitate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies.
In a significant recent development, IBM announced that they will open a FutureNow delivery center at the IQMP on Wednesday, April 29. IBM committed to creating 750 new full-time technology jobs through a development incentivized by $19M in Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits over 10 years. The project will see IBM take part in a new apprenticeship program through City Colleges of Chicago, providing opportunities for 500 students to gain hands-on experience at the innovation center over a five-year period. IBM has pledged to hire at least 180 graduates of the apprenticeship program to help reach its state employment commitments.
Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
Friday, May 8 is the Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline in both the House and Senate. Look out for a busy week of committee action ahead of the deadline.
Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide
May 8 – Opposite Chamber Committee Deadline
May 22 – Opposite Chamber Third Reading Deadline
May 31 – Adjournment
November 3 – Illinois General Election
In the News
Illinois Accountability Commission releases final report, makes referrals to state’s attorneys – The Daily Line, May 1, 2026
The Illinois Accountability Commission released its final report Thursday, including policy recommendations and referrals to Illinois state’s attorneys.
Gov. Pritzker urges criminal investigations of federal immigration agents after Illinois panel releases report – Chicago Tribune, April 30, 2026
A state commission scrutinizing the Chicago-area immigration crackdown this past fall sent its findings to law enforcement Tuesday, with some members and Gov. JB Pritzker pushing for investigations they said could lead to criminal charges against federal agents involved in violent episodes during the notorious Operation Midway Blitz raids.
Illinois lawmakers punt remap amendment after SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling – Capitol News Illinois, April 29, 2026
Illinois lawmakers are not planning to pursue a constitutional amendment on redistricting after a key U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday.
Pritzker claims today’s US Supreme Court ruling ‘validates’ the current Illinois district maps – Capitol Fax, April 29, 2026
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, in the case of Louisiana v. Callais, struck down a Louisiana congressional map that a group of voters who describe themselves as “non-African American” had challenged as the product of unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.
Eye On Illinois: Taking stock of bills working their way through the process (or not) – Shaw Local, April 29, 2026
As May approaches, it’s a good time to take stock of some of the legislation covered earlier in the session, among more than 11,400 bills and resolutions filed since the current General Assembly started in January 2025:
Dems split on Israel boycott law – Politico, April 29, 2026
An effort to repeal an Illinois law targeting companies that pull investments from Israel is seeing some movement — though it’s also highlighting divisions among Democrats who dominate state government.
Illinois bill to pay striking workers raises business alarm – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 29, 2026
Business groups are worried that legislation to allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits could prolong labor disputes.
Illinois Lawmakers Discuss Budget, Policy Before End of Spring Session – WTTW, April 28, 2026
With the spring legislative session coming to a close at the end of May, the clock is ticking to approve a budget. And deadlines for adding referendums to the November ballot are even earlier.
Pritzker talks ISU strike, accused lawmaker, and Bears proposal during Springfield appearance – Capitol City Now, April 28, 2026
A bill passed in the Illinois House that could keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois and not move to Indiana as threatened is one the Governor says the Bears ownership mostly likes. But, not all of it.
Alderman: Creation of tourism authority ‘totally without precedence’ – The State Journal-Register, April 28, 2026
A Springfield alderman believes the city council is giving “pieces of the city away” by going along with a downtown tourism authority.
Pritzker’s accountability panel unveils ‘reckoning’ of feds’ actions during Operation Midway Blitz – Chicago Sun-Times, April 27, 2026
The Illinois Accountability Commission — which doesn’t have subpoena or prosecutorial power — has spent months gathering testimony and reviewing body camera footage, bystander videos, law enforcement records, news reports and court filings.
Federal appeals court upholds ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption conviction: ‘Not politics as usual’ – Chicago Sun-Times, April 27, 2026
Chicago’s federal appeals court on Monday pointed to a hidden scheme to “exchange enormous political influence within the Illinois General Assembly for over $3 million of benefits” as it upheld the historic conviction of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.
Illinois leaders discuss bill to ban listing tickets for sale before they’re publicly released – ABC 7 Chicago, April 27, 2026
Illinois state leaders in Springfield are talking about a bill to ban speculative ticketing.
Illinois Accountability Commission to reveal results of investigation into operation ‘Midway Blitz’ – ABC 7 Chicago, April 27, 2026
An Illinois group is expected to reveal results from its investigation into Operation Midway Blitz.
Eye On Illinois: House packs a lot of business into three session days – Shaw Local, April 25, 2026
It was a busy week in Springfield, so long as we remember “week” means three business days and “busy” means the House did a lot of stuff while the full Senate idles until April 28.
Scammers try to take advantage of tornado damage; Illinois lawmakers look to stop them – WGLT, April 24, 2026
Police are warning of scammers that pop up after natural disasters, like the seven tornadoes that struck McLean County on April 17.
Chicago knows what happens when Ken Griffin falls out of love – Crain’s Chicago Business, May 1, 2026
Ken Griffin was 44 years old and the richest man in the room when he delivered one of the Economic Club of Chicago’s most memorable speeches. Chicago was in crisis, he said that day in 2013, but “this is a city worth fighting for.”
United announces FAA-mandated flight cuts at O’Hare – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 30, 2026
United Airlines is scaling back its summer flight schedule at O’Hare, paring down an earlier planned expansion to comply with federal limits imposed after a buildup driven by a turf battle with archrival American Airlines.
UChicago students propose solutions to city’s sports stadium conundrum – Chicago Sun-Times, April 30, 2026
The annual Harris Policy Innovation Challenge, launched in 2023, pushes students to find solutions to some of Chicago’s most pressing public policy issues.
Passenger charged for partially opening door on Delta flight headed to Chicago O’Hare airport – ABC 7 Chicago, April 30, 2026
A passenger on a flight headed to Chicago is now facing charges after allegedly trying to open the door of the plane.
Chicago home prices rising at 5 times the speed of the nation’– Crain’s Chicago Business, April 29, 2026
The Chicago home market keeps showing its strength compared to the rest of the country, with home prices in the city rising at five times the speed of the nation’s.
Chicago Mayor Johnson answers wide range of questions as part of ABC7 town hall – ABC 7, April 28, 2026
ABC 7 Chicago anchors Judy Hsu and Terrell Brown led the 60-minute town hall, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson answering a wide-range of questions submitted by numerous community organizations.
Mayor Brandon Johnson taps former Exelon executive David Glockner as Chicago’s next inspector general – CBS News, April 27, 2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday nominated former Exelon executive and former federal prosecutor David Glockner as the city’s next inspector general, replacing Deborah Witzburg, who stepped down last week when her four-year term expired.
Chicago inks new deal with Ernst & Young to pursue savings in city budget – Crain’s Chicago Business, April 27, 2026
The city of Chicago has entered into a nearly $7 million contract with Ernst & Young to expand upon and implement the potential spending cuts and efficiencies outlined in a report the consultant delivered to the city last fall.
Aldermen press Johnson administration over new budget consulting contract, revenue projections – Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2026
Aldermen once again aired their distrust of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s work implementing Chicago’s budget Monday as his top finance leaders revealed the city is once again turning to an outside consulting firm for help in cutting costs.
Chicagoans overwhelmingly oppose federal immigration raids and fear agents at polling places, Suffolk-Tribune poll finds – Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2026
Chicagoans overwhelmingly opposed last fall’s federal immigration crackdown and the aggressive tactics used to carry it out, and amid President Donald Trump’s deep unpopularity among city residents, most residents are concerned he will deploy federal agents near polling places in November, a new poll shows.
More Chicagoans view Mayor Brandon Johnson unfavorably than favorably ahead of 2027 mayoral race, Suffolk-Tribune poll says – Chicago Tribune, April 26, 2026
With less than a year until Chicago’s next mayoral election and amid a growing field of prospective candidates, more city residents hold a dim view of incumbent Brandon Johnson than a positive one about his often-chaotic first term at City Hall, a new poll shows.
For local property tax relief, state must fix revenue policies – Daily Herald, April 24, 2026
The county treasurer recently released a report that found Cook County property taxes are too high. According to the treasurer, from 1995 through 2024 property taxes increased by $6.8 billion or 182% in the county. While noting state actions are in part to blame, the report called out school districts for hiking “property tax levies by 189.4%” during that period, or “nearly double the rate of inflation.” While that’s true, it understates the state’s role in driving-up property taxes.
