Gov. Pritzker and IBM Collaborate to Bring 750 New Jobs to the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, hire City Colleges of Chicago Students

CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker and IBM today announced the company's new FutureNow Chicago delivery center at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). As part of FutureNow Chicago, IBM will create 750 new full-time jobs in AI, cybersecurity, data science, quantum, and more. FutureNow Chicago will serve as an innovation and delivery hub, helping IBM clients and industry partners solve complex, real-world business and technology challenges while creating clear pathways to careers for local Illinois talent.

As part of its effort to expand its workforce and provide opportunities for residents, IBM is making a commitment to hiring one third of the qualified program graduates from a new City Colleges apprenticeship program. City Colleges is working with the philanthropic community, including the Chicagoland Workforce Funders Alliance, as well as the State of Illinois, to support the work over the next five years.

"IBM's investment in Illinois is a powerful vote of confidence in our state's growing technology and quantum ecosystem and the world-class workforce that powers it," said Governor JB Pritzker. "We are creating real opportunity for Illinoisans to access careers in the industries of the future and enabling communities on Chicago's South Side to benefit from the economic opportunity this project brings. I'm grateful to IBM for choosing Illinois as a place to grow, innovate, and help build the talent pipeline needed to lead in quantum computing and advanced technologies."

"IBM is pleased to partner with the Governor to further the state's technology and innovation ecosystem," said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM. "IBM's FutureNow Chicago delivery center will support new jobs, expand our Chicago delivery capability for IBM's clients, and together, we will build the future of technology talent and create sustained economic growth."

"IBM's decision to grow at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is a major investment in the future of Chicago, Cook County and our residents," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "These new jobs represent more than economic growth-they represent opportunity, pathways to wealth, and careers in industries that will shape the decades ahead. What makes this announcement especially meaningful is its commitment to apprenticeships, workforce training, and connecting local talent to these opportunities. It's a great example of innovation being matched by inclusion and how we build a stronger, fairer economy for everyone."

"Chicago is becoming a global leader in quantum technology, and my administration is committed to ensuring the benefits of that industry reach all 77 community areas of our city," said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. "I am grateful to IBM, the IQMP, City Colleges of Chicago, and the other partners who are supporting the development of another 750 jobs across a range of careers connected to the quantum industry. With continued, collaborative workforce development efforts, I look forward to seeing Chicagoans' ingenuity and talent shine through the IQMP."

Through IBM's collaboration, and with philanthropic support, City Colleges of Chicago is launching a new apprenticeship program. IBM will help City Colleges of Chicago design the program to prepare Illinoisans for careers in advanced technology fields and create a pipeline to high-quality jobs. Over the next five years, and as part of a broader effort, City Colleges will support 500 apprentices, with IBM committing to hiring one third of the qualified program graduates. This initiative prioritizes access for Illinois residents, ensuring surrounding communities on Chicago's South Side benefit from the economic impact generated by the IQMP. IBM is further supporting talent pipelines by partnering with Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and Chicago State University to offer internships. For more information on career pathways to the IQMP, visit iqmp.org/careers.

"This partnership launches Chicago Moonshot and transforms the paid apprenticeship model-the fastest pathway to upward mobility," said Juan Salgado, Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago. "By connecting our students to paid apprenticeships in Chicago's growing quantum ecosystem, we're opening doors to high-growth careers at scale and building a more inclusive economy for our city and state."

"Apprenticeships offer a direct path to career success and long-term economic mobility," said Andrea Sáenz, President & CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. "By bringing together Chicago's civic, employer, and philanthropic communities to expand work-based learning, we can build an economy where more people contribute to and benefit from growth-strengthening household financial health, the workforce, and the regional economy."

"The Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance is proud to support City Colleges of Chicago as they continue to build up the country's best community college system for apprenticeship and work-based learning," said Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance executive director Matthew Bruce. "Thanks to the powerful partnerships built between City Colleges, the Chicago Apprentice Network, P33 and the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, companies like IBM are able to build new pathways to wealth-building jobs. Public-private partnerships that increase equity and prosperity for all are some of the most compelling philanthropic investments."

Illinois is home to the third-largest community college system in the nation, serving hundreds of thousands of students each year and acting as a critical engine of workforce mobility. Through strategic investments in community colleges and career and technical education programs statewide, Illinois is expanding access to industry-aligned credentials and hands-on training reflecting its #1 ranking in workforce development in the Midwest and #3 ranking nationwide. This announcement also comes as Gov. Pritzker established an Illinois State Attainment Working Group to evaluate Illinois' workforce and training needs to meet future labor market demands, strengthen economic mobility, and support long-term economic growth across the state.

As part of their investment, IBM will become an anchor tenant with its FutureNow Chicago delivery center at the IQMP's Quantum Works building. Quantum Works will serve as a cutting-edge innovation and talent development hub and the IQMP's "front door"-connecting local residents to career pathways in these rapidly growing fields. The Quantum Works building is funded by the original Discovery Partners Institute appropriations to the University of Illinois System. As a collaborative space, Quantum Works will house programs from other partners, including the National Quantum Algorithm Center (NQAC), the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) of the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, and various community and workforce development initiatives.

The State has also entered into an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) agreement with IBM, in which the company has committed to making a substantial capital investment over the term of the IQMP lease agreement and creating 750 new full-time jobs over the next five years. A link to the full agreement can be found here. So far in 2026, companies participating in the EDGE program have committed to creating more than 4,000 jobs and nearly $2.5 billion in investments.

Today's announcement builds on the State's 2024 establishment of the National Quantum Algorithm Center with IBM and others, which will be fueled by IBM's next-generation, modular quantum computer-IBM Quantum System Two. With this latest investment, Illinois continues to position itself as a global leader in next-generation technologies while aiming to ensure that the benefits of innovation are shared broadly across its communities. As Illinois continues to attract more quantum companies to the state, IQMP is projected to generate up to $20 billion in economic impact and create thousands of jobs.

"By connecting residents in Chicago and across the state to hands-on training and careers in cutting-edge industries, we are building a workforce that is ready for the future and rooted in our communities," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "Illinois will continue to cultivate equitable economic development by aligning job creation with real, accessible pathways to opportunity and long-term career growth."

"The IQMP's mission is to advance quantum technology so that it can become a tool to help solve the world's most complex problems, and ensure that those from the community we call home are part of this innovation from the outset," said Dr. Harley Johnson, CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. "I'm thrilled that our future Quantum Works building will be anchored by a focus on creating clear, accessible pathways into high-growth technology careers so that people today are empowered to envision themselves in the workforce of tomorrow."

"While technology continues to reshape the way we work, Illinois chooses to define the future of AI and quantum through job creation and opportunity, not job displacement," said Brad Henderson, CEO at P33. "Illinois' strength is its ability to unite companies, industry leaders, academics and government for global innovation while at the same time opening real pathways into high-quality, inclusive entry-level tech jobs and careers for our local communities. What's taking shape on the South Side of Chicago is a model without parallel."

"Illinois' long-term competitiveness depends on our ability to develop and connect talent to the industries of the future," said Illinois EDC President and CEO Christy George. "This initiative reflects what's possible when public and private partners come together-by creating direct pathways to careers in tech, this program is expanding access to high-quality jobs for South Side residents while strengthening the talent pipeline that powers Illinois' economy."

"As an educator and born-and-raised South Sider, I feel responsible for helping my students envision bright futures for themselves," said Dr. Roni Facen, Principal at St. Francis de Sales High School. "After decades of false starts, the IQMP is bringing significant opportunities to this community, and today's announcement is proof that our young people are being welcomed at the ground level to take part in something that can change the world."

"This project is set to be a significant asset for the South Side," said State Representative Nick Smith (D-Chicago). "This initiative will genuinely benefit our community by providing access to jobs and a path towards the future of technology."

"Chicago's South Side community has endured decades of industrial disinvestment since the closing of our steel mills, but through this partnership, we're bringing opportunity back to the residents who far too long have been overlooked," said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). "By ensuring City College students have access to specialized training programs and pathways in quantum and microelectronic careers, we're also ensuring our state has a diverse workforce pipeline that benefits everyone, especially Black and Brown communities."

"Today's announcement is a win for City Colleges students, Illinois workers and our state's economy," said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). "By supporting forward-thinking partnerships that bring the next generation to the table, Illinois is solidifying its status as a global leader in the technologies of the future."

"After decades of missed opportunities, the IQMP has opened the door to a new era for the Southeast side," said 10th Ward Alderman Peter Chico. "IBM's FutureNow Chicago-and the jobs, apprenticeships, and career pathways it will bring-is exactly the kind of investment our residents deserve."

"IBM's decision to bring more than 700 jobs to the Southeast Side is a powerful validation of the vision for the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park and the future of this community," said 7^th Ward Alderman Greg Mitchell. "As a former IT professional who worked as an IBM intern in college, I understand the kind of careers, mentorship and upward mobility innovation-driven industries can create. I look forward to collaborating with IBM, the IQMP, PsiQuantum and other partners to ensure residents of the Southeast Side have direct access to training and quality career pathways as we become home to one of the most important technology ecosystems in the world."

"Chicago State University continues to play a pivotal role in shaping an inclusive quantum workforce for tomorrow," said Chicago State University President Z Scott. "Through our cutting-edge coursework, innovative and industry-informed programs, CSU is building transformative pathways that allow students to engage in the fields of quantum science, and microelectronics- these fields that will define the next era of technology and scientific advancement. Grounded in our commitment to inclusive innovation, this focus ensures that the talent of our city is not only prepared to lead, but also empowered to drive scientific discovery that strengthens and empowers communities across Chicago and Illinois."

"This launch continues to strengthen Illinois' leadership in developing the technologies that will change our lives for the better in the decades to come, with Chicago at the heart of that strategy," said Illinois Chancellor Charles L. Isbell, Jr. "We are thrilled that this gives Illinois graduates a direct pathway to be the leaders who advance that progress."

"This is IQMP at work for Illinois, and I am proud that the University of Illinois System has a key role in bringing this next-generation center for research and job creation to life," U of I System President Tim Killeen said. "Across the U of I System, we are dedicated to serving the people of Illinois, including through partnerships like this one between the state, industry and higher education."

"The technology workforce initiative that Governor Pritzker and IBM announced today represents a remarkable opportunity for the South Side, and it shows what is possible when universities, industry, and civic partners work together with purpose," said President Paul Alivisatos. "The University of Chicago has been working with IQMP and IBM for a number of years now, and we look forward to partnering with both in this next important new phase of bringing high quality jobs to our region."

"This partnership represents a powerful opportunity for SIUE to connect our students directly with a global technology leader and expand pathways into high-demand careers," said SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor. "Through internships and co-ops, we are equipping our students to own tomorrow by providing real-world experience, and professional networks needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy."

"At United Way of Metro Chicago, we see every day how access to opportunity changes the trajectory of individuals, families, and entire neighborhoods. IBM's FutureNow Chicago is the kind of investment that turns intention into impact, creating high-quality jobs, opening pathways into technology careers, and ensuring talent from across our city, including the South Side, is connected to growth industries," said Sean Garrett, President and CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago. "This is what is possible when industry and education institutions partner with community leaders to advance a community-driven Quality of Life Plan to create long-term economic mobility."

"UL Solutions is an enthusiastic supporter of today's announcement and we look forward to our ongoing involvement," said President and CEO Jennifer Scanlon. "As a global safety science leader working with customers every day on their product innovations, we are truly excited about quantum as a revolutionary technology and the job creation in Chicago that is being thoughtfully planned to benefit typically underserved areas."

"At Hyatt, we're embracing technology to enhance the experiences of our guests and colleagues," said Hyatt Chairman, President, and CEO Mark Hoplamazian. "We believe it can also expand opportunity - creating pathways to meaningful careers for talented individuals on Chicago's South Side, where access has too often been limited. As an early supporter, we're proud to back this effort and help it grow over time."

"Investing in Illinois' workforce is an investment in Illinois' future, and ComEd is excited to support an IBM program that will equip local jobseekers with the knowledge and skills to excel in technology fields," said ComEd President and CEO, Gil Quiniones. "We are grateful for all the ways Gov. JB Pritzker and the State of Illinois have championed the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, positioning our state - and our workers - to be on the vanguard of technologies with world-changing potential."

"Programs like this show how investing in people can strengthen our communities and support long-term economic growth," said Carrie Zalewski, SVP, Regulatory Government Affairs and Policy at Constellation. "We're committed to helping people from all backgrounds access good jobs that pay well, and initiatives like this create clear pathways into growing industries. We look forward to working with IBM and other partners to explore how we can help participants build experience and skills for the workforce."

"For more than 136 years, Northern Trust has supported innovative ideas that strengthen Chicago's civic and economic vitality," said Kimberly Evans, EVP and Head of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion and Social Impact. "We recognize the importance of bold projects that contribute to the city's long-term strength, and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park has the potential to serve as a meaningful engine for community, economic and workforce development on the South Side."

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