Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Gathers Key Chicago Quantum Industry, Researchers, and Leaders to Discuss the Future of Quantum Technology and Illinois’ Workforce Pipelines

CHICAGO – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) visited the Chicago Quantum Exchange at the University of Chicago’s William Eckhardt Research Center to tour the facility and convene a roundtable discussion on the future of quantum technology with leading researchers as well as representatives of industry and the academic community. Joined by CQE Director David Awschalom, the University of Chicago’s Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering, as well as local educators and business leaders, Congressman Krishnamoorthi discussed strategies to strengthen the quantum workforce and tap into the region’s abundant talent. As Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), he remains dedicated to ensuring Illinois and the U.S. retain their global leadership in all advanced technologies, including in the field of quantum technologies.

“Federal investment in transformative technology like quantum computing is essential for the United States to maintain its competitive edge, including against strategic competitors, like the Chinese Communist Party,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. With the pioneering efforts of the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the University of Chicago, Illinois is positioned to lead the country, as well as the world, in groundbreaking research and innovation. Currently, only 1 out of every 3 quantum computing jobs is filled, and the industry expects to create 200,000 more. Illinois has the opportunity to win a disproportionate share of them, and it’s crucial that we continue to encourage partnerships to strengthen our quantum workforce and build an economy of the future that sets the global standard.”

“Quantum computing will be pivotal to the economic strength and national security of the United States, and the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the CCP has done remarkable work in advancing U.S. leadership” Mark Brunner, EVP of Public Sector at PsiQuantum, said. “The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is the epicenter for advancing and scaling quantum technology and as the anchor tenant of this groundbreaking initiative, PsiQuantum is proud to collaborate with the US Congress, State of Illinois, and the City of Chicago to advance our national security.”

The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) is an intellectual hub in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana that advances the science and engineering of quantum information, prepares the quantum workforce, and drives the quantum economy by connecting leading universities, national labs, and industry partners. Through cooperation among five universities, two national labs, and more than 50 corporate, nonprofit, international, and regional partners,  as well as officials from the local, state, federal, and international governments, the CQE is committed to building an advanced economy and tackling some of the world’s toughest issues — revolutionizing drug discovery, materials science, and clean energy innovation right here in the Chicagoland region. The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is poised to further cement Illinois as a global leader in quantum,  driving innovation, creating a wide range of jobs, and ensuring that the U.S. remains at the forefront of this critical technology. As the anchor tenant of the IQMP, PsiQuantum  aims to deliver the nation’s first utility-scale, fault-tolerant  quantum computer. By partnering with PsiQuantum, the IQMP — which will also include the DARPA-Illinois Quantum Proving Ground and a National Quantum Algorithm Center fueled by IBM’s next-generation quantum computer  —  aligns cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a mission-driven approach to ensure the rapid development of quantum systems capable of addressing the grand challenges of our time.