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Chicagoans approve mental health spending but reject quantum
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You probably know how voters weighed in on last week's big ballot questions on a millionaires tax and gunshot detection technology. But you may have missed how they voted on Airbnbs, mental health services and quantum computing in local referendums.
Why it matters: Some of these non-binding measures got tens of thousands of votes with few people noticing.
The big picture: Chicagoans approved nearly every referendum on the ballot in 2026 except, notably, the one asking if voters approve of government funding for the South Works quantum facility.
- That measure was panned by 78% of voters. The question was answered by 1,041 voters on the Southeast Side.
- Yes, but, Illinois has already committed at least $700 million to the quantum project.