IBM to Bring 750 Jobs to Chicago’s South Side with New Quantum Innovation Hub (Chicago, IL) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined IBM leaders and local officials to announce a major investment in Chicago’s South Side, where the company plans to establish a new delivery center expected to create 750 full-time jobs in advanced technology fields.
The facility, known as the FutureNow Chicago Delivery Center, will be located at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) and focus on areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and quantum computing. Officials said the center will serve as both an innovation hub and a workforce development pipeline aimed at connecting local residents to high-demand careers.
State leaders described the investment as a significant step in positioning Illinois as a national leader in emerging technologies, while also expanding economic opportunities in historically underserved communities.
As part of the initiative, IBM will partner with City Colleges of Chicago to help design a new apprenticeship program. Over the next five years, the program aims to support 500 apprentices, with IBM committing to hire one-third of qualified graduates. Additional partnerships with Chicago State University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will provide internship opportunities for students pursuing careers in tech.
The project is supported through an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) agreement, with IBM committing to capital investment and job creation over the coming years. Officials said the broader IQMP development could generate billions in economic impact and further establish Chicago as a hub for quantum research and innovation.
Local leaders, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, emphasized the importance of linking job creation with workforce training and community access, particularly on the South Side.
The FutureNow Chicago center will be housed in the IQMP’s planned Quantum Works building, which is expected to serve as a central hub for research, workforce development, and collaboration among industry, academia, and government partners.
IBM to Bring 750 Jobs to Chicago’s South Side with New Quantum Innovation Hub
