Chicago’s quantum explosion: Infleqtion opens new West Loop quantum innovation center

Infleqtion, a Colorado-based quantum computing company, has leased 7,500 square feet at 125 S. Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago for a new innovation center, as it deepens its growing presence in the city, according to the Chicago Business Journal. The move gives the company room for its 25 employees and adds to its work in Chicago’s quantum sector.

The company, which went public in February and raised $550 million, has been expanding quickly in Illinois, the report confirmed. It previously said it would invest as part of a $50 million public-private partnership with the state and create jobs, and company officials now say hiring has moved faster than planned, the Chicago Business Journal noted.

Subscribe to Chicago Star’s Weekly City Buzz Newsletter

Quantum plans grow in Chicago

Infleqtion also said it will deploy its fault-tolerant, neutral-atom quantum computer at the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s South Side, with delivery planned for 2027, according to a company announcement carried by Yahoo Finance. The company added that the system is designed to support more than 50 logical qubits on the way to a 100-logical-qubit target.

Governor JB Pritzker said the project will give Illinois researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators access to advanced quantum technology, as reported by Yahoo Finance. He added, per the report, “From a growing Chicago team to a landmark quantum system now coming to Illinois, I'm proud to have Infleqtion as a partner in building our state's quantum future.” 

Infleqtion CEO Matthew Kinsella called the move “a landmark moment for quantum computing in Chicago,” according to the same report.

The new Chicago Quantum Innovation Center will focus on practical uses of quantum computing, starting with the American energy grid, Yahoo Finance confirmed. Infleqtion said the center will work on problems such as unit commitment, contingency analysis and nuclear fuel loading, with the aim of improving safety and reliability, according to Yahoo Finance.

Read more on Chicago Star

• Move over, NASCAR! RPM Raceway plans 90,000 sqft go-kart venue, longest in the Midwest

• Shedd Aquarium to rebuild endangered sharks population, sends zebra shark eggs to Indonesia

• Fighting Illini gets glow-up: Illinois among Big Ten schools to launch $30M jersey patch deal

• Full moon: Third Ward Moon Fest brings one of the world’s best art pieces to the Midwest 

Jobs, leasing and state support

Infleqtion’s Illinois push comes with state support tied to manufacturing and quantum growth. The company is expected to receive $5.3 million in tax credits under Illinois’ MICRO program and has committed to invest more than $14 million and create at least 36 full-time jobs, according to WJBC and the company’s 2025 announcement.

That expansion adds to activity at 125 S. Wacker Drive, where the West Loop office market has seen renewed leasing, the Chicago Business Journal reported. Broker Ben Cleveland said in the report that the building has picked up momentum under new ownership, with multiple recent leases in the building.

Infleqtion confirmed its Chicago growth reflects a wider push to move quantum computing beyond research and into commercial use, while building a larger workforce in Illinois, according to Yahoo Finance.