From Team Illinois: Happy World Quantum Day 2025!

 

World Quantum Day falls on April 14, but this year is an especially exciting one: It’s also the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the 100th anniversary of the initial development of quantum mechanics!  

World Quantum Day 2025: What and Why Are We Celebrating?  

First recognized in 2021, we celebrate World Quantum Day on April 14 as a reference to 4.14, “the rounded first digits of Planck’s constant…a product of energy and time that is the fundamental constant governing quantum physics.”  

An initiative from quantum scientists around the globe, World Quantum Day “aims at engaging the general public in the understanding and discussion of Quantum Science and Technology.” The goal of quantum mechanics, and therefore this day of celebration, is to help us understand nature most fundamentally and develop useful technologies with potential for future world-altering scientific revolutions.

Illinois is a key player in the global game, as much of this research and many applicable technologies are rising out of the unique ecosystem that rallies together world-class scientists, academic, civic, and industry partners across greater Chicagoland — driving quantum innovation from the heart of the Midwest. 

Illinois: All in on Quantum  

Historically known for its vast farmland and strengths in manufacturing, Illinois is now, too, a hub for advanced and emerging technologies like quantum computing.  

In 2019, under the leadership of Governor JB Pritzker, the State announced $200 million to establish Illinois as a leading quantum hub, and in 2024 reiterated its commitment by establishing quantum computing as a key focus industry for Illinois in its five-year economic growth plan. 

What Makes Illinois the Global Quantum Hub?  

Illinois was just named the #2 U.S. location for corporate expansions and relocations for the third year running by Site Selection magazine — proof of its standing as a premier global business destination.  

For quantum industry experts, scientists, startups, and corporations, however, Illinois offers so much more. Our state is home to an incredible ecosystem of individuals and organizations at the quantum helm:  

Research and Development Pioneers  

• World-class research institutions including 6 R1 universities and quantum information science and technology leaders (such as the University of Illinois, University of Chicago, and Northwestern)  

• 2 Department of Energy (DOE) labs driving the future of quantum technology: Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab  

• 4 out of 10 U.S. quantum research centers funded by the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) 

Innovation Drivers  

• Duality, the 1st quantum-focused startup accelerator in the U.S.  

• Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI), a 2-year fellowship program at Argonne for innovators focused on energy and science technologies  

• mHUB, an innovation center for physical (hardtech) product development 

Collaborative Spaces  

• The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), a first-of-its kind campus for quantum tech scale-up and R&D (and future home of anchor tenant PsiQuantum, IBM, and more incoming)  

• The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), one of the largest quantum collaboratives convening over 200 leading researchers, 50 corporate and non-profit partners, and one of the world’s largest quantum talent pipelines  

• Startups and established corporations alike: EeroQ, Infleqtion, memQ, PsiQuantum, qBraid, IBM, and more  

World-Leading Talent  

• The 1st quantum PhD offered in the U.S. at the University of Chicago  

• More than 240 higher education institutions, including the University of Illinois (which graduates more engineers each year than Caltech, MIT, and Stanford combined) and the third largest community college system in the U.S.  

• 2 top-5 national MBA programs: Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and University of Chicago Booth School of Business  

Although Illinois’ incredible talent pipeline outshines all others, our state is also strong in its:  

Unmatched Infrastructure  

• A 52-mile quantum loop established by Argonne and the University of Chicago, which has since expanded to a 200+ mile regional network — one of the longest ground-based quantum communication channels in the U.S.  

• Quantum foundries, testbeds, characterization, and fabrication facilities 

• Access to Lake Michigan, part of the largest system of freshwater in the world (the beautiful Great Lakes!) 

Tax-Based Incentives  

• Illinois Innovation Venture Fund (INVENT), a $114 million direct equity capital program funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) 

• Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) for Startups, which offers a credit for withholding taxes to support businesses  

• Quantum Enterprise Zone (QEZ) benefits, which provide entities locating in the IQMP — funded through $500 million bonded capital in the recently passed budget — with incentives including utility and building material tax exemptions for all entities and buildings 

• Angel Investment Tax Credit Program, which encourages investment in innovative, early-stage companies to help obtain the working capital needed to further the growth of their company in Illinois 

• Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act (MICRO), available in two Tiers, supports eligible companies manufacture microchips, semiconductors, quantum computers, and associated component parts 

• Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program (TIEG), which supports entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries through startup incubators with $7 million in funding  

• And more… 

Quality of Life  

• Not only was Illinois named #2 for corporate expansions and relocations by Site Selection magazine, but Chicago was named the #1 metro in the U.S. 

• Readers of Condé Nast Traveler recognized Chicago as the Best Big City in the U.S. for a historic 8 years in a row  

• Illinois was named a top-10 state (#7 overall) to raise a family by WalletHub (#3 in median family income, #2 in family fun)  

What Does This Mean for You?  

With a Governor considered “pro-growth and pro-tech” by business leaders, a suite of business-friendly resources for companies at every stage of growth, and a diverse industry base ready for the useful and commercial application of emerging technology, Illinois is the absolute best place to be for quantum innovation.  

Get in touch with our team to learn more about the advantages of Illinois for your quantum company.  

Not quite ready to connect? Celebrate World Quantum Day with us on LinkedIn, subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date on all things quantum in Illinois, and download (or print!) this resource on Illinois as the global quantum hub.