In a significant shift for Chicago’s Southeast Side, the former site of U.S. Steel South Works is poised for transformation. This 440-acre parcel, which has remained vacant since the steel mill’s closure in 1992, will soon become the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). The $1 billion project is set to position Chicago at the forefront of quantum technology and environmental innovation. Expected to break ground in late 2025, IQMP could usher in a new era for the Great Lakes region.
Transforming a Legacy Site
The site, located at the mouth of the Calumet River on Lake Michigan, once employed over 20,000 workers at its peak. Now, it will be the first industrial park in the United States focused on quantum computing. Alderman Peter Chico, who represents the 10th Ward, believes this project symbolizes the intersection of past industrial legacy with future technological advancements.
Environmental and Economic Concerns
- The development aims to implement advanced water use and wastewater treatment technologies.
- Plans include a closed-loop cooling system for quantum computing that avoids drawing water from local sources.
- Local activist groups, such as the Alliance of the Southeast, express concerns over environmental impact and water safety.
Amalia NietoGomez, executive director of the Alliance of the Southeast, voiced significant worries about pollution affecting local drinking water. Activists stress the need for transparency regarding the project’s environmental remediation efforts before construction begins.
Community and Government Collaboration
IQMP is a product of collaboration between government, academia, and industry, with strong backing from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who allocated over $500 million in state funds for the project. The development has garnered support from key industry players, including IBM and PsiQuantum, a startup focused on quantum technologies.
Water Resource Management
Concerns linger about the potential water needs of the quantum campus. Water policy experts, like Rachel Havrelock, emphasize the importance of establishing efficient water reuse systems. Chicago has a unique right to divert 2.1 billion gallons of Lake Michigan water daily, but advocates are focused on ensuring sustainability in future water use.
Future plans may include supplying reclaimed water to the IQMP as it progresses, although these discussions are still in preliminary stages.
Future Prospects and Community Trust
As IQMP prepares for its groundbreaking, community members and activists remain cautious. Historical distrust, stemming from past deindustrialization impacts, complicates the relationship between local residents and the emerging tech economy. Many residents seek reassurances that the benefits of IQMP will extend to the community.
Chico highlights this unprecedented opportunity, pointing out that this project has the potential to redefine the Southeast Side. However, without community engagement and transparency, the renewal of this industrial land may face challenges in gaining local support.
As Chicago embarks on this ambitious quantum journey, balancing advanced technology development with community needs and environmental protections will be critical. The intersection of legacy and innovation in the Great Lakes tech landscape will depend on the city’s ability to reassure and engage those most affected by these changes.
