Neighbors split over $9B Quantum Shore project

Catch up quick: Quantum Shore broke ground last fall at a ceremony, where Pritzker and Johnson gave speeches of praise.

• Palo Alto's Psi Quantum will anchor the 440-acre campus with an aim to create the country's first "utility-scale" quantum computer in an 80,700-square-foot research facility.
• Other tenants include IBM, the U.S. Department of Defense's DARPA arm and an Australian quantum startup called Diraq.
• Supporters say it will establish Illinois as a global leader in still-emerging quantum technology, which could exponentially increase the speed and sophistication of computing.
• The estimated $9 billion project has received $850 million in Illinois tax support, while Blue Owl Capital has invested $75 million in private money.
• In October, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency granted developer Related Midwest conditional approval to proceed with construction on the site, subject to additional water and soil testing.
• Last month, the activists suffered a setback when the Chicago Board of Elections rejected their bid to place a non-binding question about the development on the March ballot. They are expected to try again for November.

The demands: A coalition including South Side Together, Friends of the Parks and ETHOS of South Shore wants a binding community benefits agreement (CBA) that includes:

• A plan to protect residents from displacement due to rising housing costs.
• A program to ensure jobs for local residents.
• Protection for local parks and natural habitats.
• Air, light and noise pollution limits.
• A tax break for residents that mirrors the 30-year deal Quantum Shore is getting.
• A community credit union to support small businesses and fund home improvements.

Friction point: Some activists object specifically to the presence of the DOD's DARPA research arm on campus, noting Quantum's potential to supercharge global surveillance and challenge privacy safeguards.

What they're saying: "For generations, Southeast Side communities have endured environmental contamination, disinvestment, and barriers to accessing the lakefront," said Brian Gladstein, executive director of Friends of the Parks.

• "A project of this scale must deliver real, enforceable benefits."

• Activists say the workforce, environmental and infrastructure commitments Related Midwest has made to the city need to be bolstered by a directly negotiated, binding agreement with residents.

The other side: "As a resident myself, right, we've seen 17 different iterations of projects that were going to come to the lakefront, and none of them have materialized. This is the first thing that we've seen that feels tangible to us," Southeast Neighbors for Quantum co-founder and St. Francis de Sales High School principal Roni Facen tells Axios.

• "The State worked with the developers and community leaders to support a 'Quality of Life Plan' for South Chicago that's grounded in robust, ongoing community engagement," Gov. JB Pritzker's office said in a statement to Axios.

Middle ground: Mayor Johnson tells Axios he's open to discussions with the activists.

• "We don't want development to be at the expense of working people," he said. "I'm prepared to sit down with members of the Southeast side and anywhere else in the city to ensure that the community actually benefits from the development."

What's next: The coalition has invited Johnson to attend its Southeast Side People's Assembly at Christ Bible Church of Chicago this Saturday.

• The Mayor's office tells Axios he'll be attending Rev. Jesse Jackson's services Saturday but remains open to continued conversation.