Governor JB Pritzker to Deliver Keynote at QWC, Showcasing Illinois’ Bold Investments in Quantum Innovation on the Global Stage
Today, Connected DMV announced that Governor JB Pritzker will join global leaders at Quantum World Congress in Greater Washington, delivering a keynote that highlights Illinois’ significant investments in quantum science, infrastructure, and industry partnerships.
Illinois has rapidly emerged as a cornerstone of America’s quantum future. The state has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to world-class initiatives—including the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, the Chicago Quantum Exchange, and partnerships with companies like IBM, PsiQuantum, Diraq and Infleqtion—to accelerate breakthroughs in research, commercialization, and workforce development.
“Illinois is proud to be at the forefront of America’s quantum investments. From groundbreaking research at our universities to transformative public–private partnerships, we are building an ecosystem that will power innovation, strengthen our economy, and create the workforce of tomorrow. I look forward to joining leaders from across the globe in Greater Washington to showcase how collaboration across state lines and national borders will shape the quantum era,” said Governor Pritzker.
“Governor Pritzker’s leadership in building Illinois’ quantum economy is accelerating the global race to scale this transformative technology,” said George Thomas, President and CEO of Connected DMV, which produces Quantum World Congress. “We’re proud to welcome him to Greater Washington—the Capital of Quantum—where the world’s leading voices are writing the next chapter of quantum history together.”
Illinois: Driving U.S. Quantum Innovation
Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP): $500 million investment to establish a cutting-edge campus for quantum-scale research, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Chicago Quantum Exchange: $200 million in state funding to strengthen university-led collaborations and build a quantum talent pipeline.
PsiQuantum: $200 million state investment, alongside a nearly $1.1 billion commitment from PsiQuantum, to make the company the first tenant at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park and build the world’s first commercially useful quantum computer.
Infleqtion Partnership: $50 million investment from Infleqtion with state incentives to locate the company’s global quantum computing headquarters in Chicago and build a utility-scale neutral-atom quantum computer.
Quantum Proving Ground: $140 million state co-investment with (DARPA) to launch an industrial-scale testing site for emerging quantum technologies.
National Quantum Algorithm Center: established quantum algorithm center at the IQMP. Anchored by IBM’s next-generation “Quantum System Two,” the center will accelerate development of quantum algorithms, drive commercialization, and train the skilled workforce needed to solve real-world challenges across industries.
These initiatives are helping Illinois position itself as a key driver of U.S. innovation, while also contributing to the global ecosystem that Quantum World Congress convenes each year.
Quantum World Congress convenes innovators, government leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs from around the globe to discuss advances, applications, and policy shaping the future of quantum technology. Governor Pritzker’s keynote underscores how state-level investment and global collaboration are both vital to unlocking the full potential of the quantum era.
Quantum World Congress 2025 will take place from Tuesday, September 16, to Thursday, September 18, at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia. Governor Pritzker is set to address the attendees on Thursday, September 18, at 9:55 AM from the main stage. To learn more, visit quantumworldcongress.com.
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About Quantum World Congress
Quantum World Congress is the premier global stage for quantum innovation, convening leaders across industry, government, academia, and capital to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of quantum technologies. Operated by Connected DMV, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, QWC 2025 is produced in collaboration with the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) and the Quantum Industry Coalition (QIC). Learn more at quantumworldcongress.com.
Members of the media who are interested in attending can register at quantumworldcongress.com/media.