New quantum computing facility in South Chicago expected to have economic impact in Illinois

State leaders hope the new massive quantum computing development on the city's South Side helps position Illinois as the next Silicon Valley.

Getting it built was a priority for Gov. JB Pritzker, who pushed for big state funding for the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park campus in South Chicago, where the 128-acre U.S. Steel South Works Plant once sat.

The goal behind the project is to boost the state's bottom line and grow Illinois' economy.

"We're looking to make this really the center of gravity. And to have that happen in Illinois, it's just an incredible opportunity to have this economy here and to build an industry here and to also impact suppliers," said Christy George, CEO of the Illinois Economic Development Corporation.

She says this will create 1,000 permanent jobs, with an apprentice program supplying a pipeline of community-college grads in Chicago.

"It's not just engineers and scientists. It's construction jobs, it's administrative jobs, it's mechanics, it's repair technicians. It's so many different types of roles that are going to be created here and that we'll be able to support families across the city of Chicago. So it's a huge opportunity to jumpstart an economy here in South Chicago," George said.