In DuPage, Communities Find Creative Solutions to Data Center Demand

Data Centers

For those interested in economic development, few things are more frustrating than untapped potential. For Carol Stream, a community known for its thriving industrial sector, the epitome of untapped potential was, until recently, an abandoned property that sat vacant for nearly a decade.  

Once the site of a sprawling chemical plant—complete with a production facility, a warehouse, and an R&D laboratory—the property was abandoned in the early 2010s. At the time, many in the community assumed that a buyer would soon come along. Yes, the property needed work; the buildings had to be demolished, and the soil remediated. But then again, it was 11 acres at the heart of central DuPage, in a community with one of the region’s highest industrial concentrations. Of course it would sell.

But then, it didn’t. Nearly ten years passed, and nothing happened. Occasionally, a developer would express interest, then pull back. The longer the property sat vacant, the less appealing it seemed—between its boarded-up windows and faded 1970s aesthetic, what had once been a community showpiece was on its way to becoming an eyesore.

Then, within the past few years, the story took an unexpected turn. A developer acquired the property; the aging chemical plant was demolished; the soil was remediated; and a buyer, Oppidan, purchased the land. Now, construction is underway on a 90,000-SF data center—the first of its kind in Carol Stream. What was once an eyesore is on its way back to becoming a showpiece, and possibly an inspiration for further development.  

“This is our first data center,” says Don Bastian, Community Development Director at the Village of Carol Stream. “We have manufacturing businesses, distribution warehouses, logistics facilities, food processing operations, and steel fabricators. But this is the first time we’ve welcomed a data center into our diverse business community.

“And to see the land, this land that sat unused for years, being redeveloped with a modern building and new landscaping—we’re very excited about it.”

For the community, this is a good ending to what was becoming a long and drawn-out story. For the rest of Chicagoland, however, this is only the latest development in a story that’s just begun: the rise of a new generation of data centers.  

CryusOne Data Center in Wood Dale, IL
A rendering shows an overhead view of CyrusOne’s planned Wood Dale campus. The site, which is expected to be complete by 2032, will feature six data centers and about 1.4 million-SF of facility space.

Data 2.0

Data centers are nothing new; in fact, their roots stretch back to the 1940s, when a single computer could fill an entire warehouse. But now, due to rising consumer usage and more data-intensive technologies—from state-of-the-art quantum computers to your iPhone’s “Genmojis”—the demand for data is quickly rising. And the demand for data centers is rising with it.

According to an industry profile from the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP), within the past four years, the size of the U.S. colocation data center market has doubled. (“Colocation” refers to facilities that rent space where businesses can house their servers.) Think about that: Four years ago, in 2021, we were using a not-small quantity of data. Since then, the market, or at least a significant measure of its footprint, has doubled. It’s not showing any signs of slowing down, either. As of 2024, AI-related data represented about 20% of new demand. As the technology scales up, so will the need for storage capacity.

To account for this rising demand, data centers are cropping up all over the nation, including right here in DuPage County.

In Carol Stream, the previously mentioned 90,000-SF Oppidan data center is set to open in 2026.

In Itasca, Japanese company NTT DATA has recently purchased two office buildings; it plans to demolish them to make space for a cloud storage facility. This will be the fourth of its data centers at Hamilton Lakes, a sprawling corporate campus that historically focused on office and hotel space.

In Wood Dale, development is underway on a new CyrusOne location, West of Route 83, between Bryn Mawr Avenue and Foster Avenue. The site will house six data centers, for an aggregate footprint of about 1.4 million-SF. That’s a lot of server space.

But will it be enough? Probably not. To keep pace with demand, businesses must exponentially increase their data storage capacity, which means they’re going to have to build more data centers. To do that, they’re going to have to find The Goldilocks Zone.

NTT Data Center in Itasca, IL
A rendering shows NTT DATA’s planned cloud storage facility at Hamilton Lakes corporate park in Itasca, IL. Hamilton Lakes historically focused on office and hotel space; recently, however, the development has pivoted to welcome data centers.

The Goldilocks Zone: What Makes Chicagoland ‘Just Right’ for Data Centers?

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that you can’t just build a data center anywhere. Servers are fickle. Their cargo is precious. Their thirst for energy is high. And they don’t like hurricanes, earthquakes, or wildfires, which threaten to instantly wipe out exabytes of precious data. To host a data center, a location must meet a long list of conditions—everything must be “just right.” The few that do are considered Goldilocks Zones. Chicagoland is one of the best.

Ranked among the top two markets for data centers globally, the Chicagoland region offers all the conditions data centers need to thrive. State tax incentives and relatively affordable land make it a cost-effective location, while access to abundant water and affordable, reliable energy—not to mention the “free cooling” you get during a Chicago winter—provide the power and natural resources that data centers need.

Meanwhile, Chicagoland’s larger plats of available land make it possible to develop hyperscalers, large-scale facilities designed to store and process data from billions of users. A deep, diverse workforce and a local pipeline of nationally renowned academic institutions offer all the talent that facilities need to function. And access to a skilled labor force means that facilities can be built efficiently and go to market faster—a critical feature for an industry where speed is everything. (Read more about what the region offers data centers here.)

Another key advantage is Chicagoland’s diverse economy. The region is a hub for many of the most data-intensive industries, including finance, administrative services, logistics, life sciences, and the government sector, as well as a massive consumer base, meaning there’s always a high demand for local data centers. As these industries grow, and as the region invests in quantum computing and other high-tech fields, that demand is only rising.

Of course, that’s just one side of the story. Because while Chicagoland is transforming the data center market, data centers are returning the favor.  

From ChatGPT to GDP: How Data Centers Impact the DuPage Economy

One common criticism of data centers is that they don’t create many jobs and therefore don’t generate significant value for communities. There’s a kernel of truth here—a typical data center will have a smaller staff compared to similarly sized facilities from other industries—but it ignores the potentially transformative economic impact that data centers have on the communities around them.

Starting with the staff: While data centers tend to create relatively smaller quantities of jobs, the ones they do create are high-earning. According to a report provided by JobsEQâ, the average data center employee in the Chicagoland region earns over $142,000 annually, meaning they have greater spending power than most employees from other sectors and can inject more money into the local economy. Beyond their own earnings, every data center position is estimated to create more than four jobs in the region, for a total of over $474,000 in additional earnings. It’s the data center domino effect.

Data Center workforce

And that’s only accounting for regular staff. Building a facility like the Oppidan data center in Carol Stream—not to mention the six that NTT is developing in Wood Dale—requires numerous construction jobs. Much like white-collar staffing positions, construction jobs generate additional employment; every construction role creates an estimated 1.64 additional jobs, producing over $239,000 in additional earnings. Factor in the cost of construction materials, as well as the fees for permitting and utilities, and you can see how data centers generate more revenue for communities than meets the eye.

In Wood Dale, for example, CyrusOne estimates their financial investment in the project will be over $1 billion. When all six buildings are complete, the City is projected to generate at least $2 million in annual utility taxes alone, money that can be reinvested in the community. Countywide, data centers have a significant impact on gross domestic product; in 2022, sectors directly related to data centers (such as computing infrastructure providers, data processers, and web hosting businesses) produced nearly $1 billion in GDP, with an average worker output of $986,000.

As impressive as those figures are, they don’t cover the full impact that data centers are making across DuPage. For Carol Stream, the new Oppidan facility is about more than generating revenue; it’s about taking a stagnant, abandoned property and transforming it into an attractive showpiece, one that’s both grounded in the community’s past and looking forward to the future. For Itasca, NTT DATA’s new cloud storage facilities aren’t “just another” development; they represent a reimagining of a suburban office park, one potential solution to a widespread challenge. 

As communities across DuPage grapple with new ways of working, shifting industry trends, and other complex challenges, they’re rethinking economic development norms and repurposing spaces in creative ways. And while data centers aren’t the solution to everything, one thing is certain: They’re a key part of the equation.


Learn more about data centers in DuPage County.

Chicagoland Named #1 U.S. Metro for Corporate Relocation for 12th Consecutive Year

Chicagoland Relocation

Chicagoland has once again been named the number one metro in the U.S. for corporate relocation and investment by Site Selection Magazine, marking its 12th consecutive year at the top. This ranking—based on project count—highlights the region’s global economic strength, business-friendly environment, and deep talent pool. These competitive advantages are championed worldwide by the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP)—a collaboration between the city and seven surrounding counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will)—established in 2023 to drive investment and business expansion across the region.

World Business Chicago reported a total of 140 “pro-Chicagoland decisions,” in 2024, comprising 110 expansions and 30 relocations or new market entries, resulting in the creation of over 14,800 jobs. “The Chicago region’s competitive advantages continue to include logistics infrastructure, a highly skilled and diverse workforce, strong legacy and emerging industries, and world-renowned academic and research and innovation institutions,” said Adam Bruns, editor in chief of Site Selection Magazine. “One underlying reason behind Chicagoland’s perennial strong performance in our Top Metros rankings: how Daniel Burnham’s original plan and vision continue to resonate through generations of business locations, architecture and infrastructure.”

Chicago’s quantum leap into the future was solidified in 2024 with one of the most transformative pro-Chicago business decisions of the year—PsiQuantum’s selection of Chicago as the home for its first utility-scale quantum computing site in the U.S. Announced last summer by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside federal, state, and local leaders, this milestone cements Chicago’s position as a global hub for quantum technology and emerging industries. Located at the USX site on the city’s South Side, the quantum campus represents a bold investment in next-generation innovation, bringing together world-class research institutions, national labs, and industry leaders to drive breakthrough advancements. With PsiQuantum as the campus’ first anchor tenant, Chicago is poised to lead the charge in the quantum revolution, accelerating economic growth, high-tech job
creation, and scientific discovery.

“When we set out to choose the location for our first utility-scale quantum computing site in the U.S., Chicago quickly rose to the top—not just for its infrastructure or geography, but because of the extraordinary leadership and shared vision at every level,” said Josh Richman, Executive Vice President, Market Development, PsiQuantum. “The seamless collaboration between the state, county, and city—alongside world-class universities, national labs, and industry partners—was a masterclass in execution, led by Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson. Chicago is cementing its status as a global innovation powerhouse, and we’re proud to play a role in shaping its future.”

As the leading quantum computing company focused on building the first useful, error-corrected quantum computer, PsiQuantum will drive innovation, competitive research, and economic growth in Illinois.

“Chicago’s number one ranking by Site Selection Magazine is based on real data—proving we’re winning in the metrics that truly matter,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “As the biggest 2024 project counted in this ranking, PsiQuantum’s decision to anchor its new quantum campus on the Southeast Side shows how companies are choosing Chicago for its talent, infrastructure, and strong business ecosystem at every level. Even more importantly, this major quantum investment has innovators around the world taking notice, and I am thrilled this development will revitalize and bring attention to a neighborhood that has been left out of economic development for far too long. We are committed to building upon the successes that have earned Chicago the number one spot and ensuring that all people
can reap their benefits.”

“This milestone underscores what we at World Business Chicago and our partners in the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership already know—businesses continue to choose Chicagoland because they see opportunity here,” said Phil Clement, President & CEO of World Business Chicago. “With a diverse and highly educated workforce, a robust transportation and logistics network, and a strong innovation ecosystem, our region provides companies with everything they need to succeed.”

“Year after year, Chicagoland proves itself as the premier destination for companies looking to establish, expand, and invest,” said Kevin Considine, Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and President & CEO of Lake County Partners. “Our collaborative approach ensures that businesses, regardless of their location in the region, have the resources and support to grow.”


One Region, One Vision

The Hon. Deborah Conroy, Chair of the DuPage County Board: “Site Selection magazine has named Chicagoland the number one region in the country for business expansion and re-location for an unprecedented 12th consecutive year! Congratulations to all the jurisdictions who helped foster this incredible accomplishment. It is an honor to have DuPage County recognized for our contributions. With our partners at Choose DuPage, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and the State of Illinois, we will continue to collaborate to position DuPage County and the region as a premier, global business location. Together we are all working to make sure that our region is recognized for what we know – that we are, indeed, number 1 for business in so many ways.”

Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage: “For me, this reinforces an idea that many of us have been preaching for years: Regional collaboration works. When we come together as one Chicagoland, we have a stronger voice, we have a richer narrative, and we have a bigger, better value proposition, one that top businesses can’t ignore. If you want to see the impact of this collaborative approach, look at companies like Jel Sert. In 2024, Jel Sert expanded its West Chicago operations, retaining nearly 1,000 jobs and creating dozens more. GCEP played an integral part in that. And while the outcome was good for West Chicago, it’s also good for the entire Chicagoland region. When we retain, grow, and attract businesses here, we all win.”


Located just west of Chicago, DuPage County provides a supportive ecosystem for businesses, a launchpad for innovators, a strategic location for critical logistics operations, and a healthy home for families. Keep exploring to learn why our forward-thinking community is right for today and ready for tomorrow.

Crossroads: How Intersect Illinois is Shaping Our Economic Future

Intersect Illinois

Host Greg Bedalov joins two guests from Illinois’ economic development organization, Intersect Illinois, to discuss our biggest challenges and opportunities – and how their organization is addressing them now.

Special Guests

  • Christy George, President and CEO, Intersect Illinois
  • John Atkinson, Chairman, Intersect Illinois

Dive Deeper

  • In this episode, Greg and his guests discuss how Illinois has emerged as a leader in quantum computing. Check out Chicago’s new Quantum Park here.
  • They also mention Lion Electric, a leading EV producer that’s supporting an ecosystem of area businesses, including Merkur. Learn more about the Merkur-Lion story here.
  • And finally, if you want to explore the role of science and technology in Chicagoland’s future, listen to our recent episode of the Beat: “A Conversation with a Congressman.”

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

ComEd Announces $100 Million in EV Rebates Now Available to Boost Charging and EV Adoption Across Northern Illinois

CHICAGO (February 6, 2025) – ComEd today joined a variety of local and industry stakeholders at the annual Chicago Auto Show to announce that it has made $100 million in rebates available to help more customers take steps toward electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025. To reduce upfront cost barriers to EVs, the rebates cover three distinct programs: residential EV charger and installation costs, all-electric fleet vehicles and business and public sector make ready charging infrastructure. ComEd EV investments are available for residential, business and public sector customers, and are designed to equitably provide funding for communities to promote the widespread adoption of EVs in Illinois.

Customers can apply now for a variety of EV rebates at www.comed.com/clean.

“ComEd is focused on ensuring that not only is the grid is equipped for increased electrification, but that our customers and communities have the support needed to navigate the transition to EVs and the benefits they provide for customers as well as the environment,” said Melissa Washington, SVP of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives at ComEd. “Building on the success of last year’s rebate programs, ComEd is pleased to launch another $100M that will help customers take steps toward adding at-home L2 charging, fleet EV projects for fleets of any size, and to catalyze more investment in building a network of regional public and private charging to accommodate the growing demand for EVs in northern Illinois.”

Through its 2025 investments, ComEd is making $53 million in rebates available for business and public sector EV fleet purchases, including small businesses pursuing as few as one electric vehicle for commercial use, regardless of small-, medium- or heavy-duty weight class size; and nearly $38 million in rebates available to support infrastructure “make ready” upgrades needed for the installation of public and private Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (DCFC) charging stations for non-residential customers. Residential customers will have access to nearly $9 million in funding to reduce the upfront costs of purchase and installation of adding at-home L2 charging—with rebates of up to $3,750 per charger.

The funding announcement follows last year’s first-of-its kind announcement to fund EV projects, with ComEd launching nearly $90 million for customers in 2024. Both 2024 and 2025 programs are made available as part of a state mandated program to help more customers take steps toward EVs, a result of the passage of Illinois’ landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which calls for having 1 million EVs on the roads by 2030.

“The ComEd rebates that support EV adoption and accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure are pivotal in driving a sustainable future,” said Megha Lakhchaura State EV Officer of Illinois. “These initiatives will empower consumers to make cleaner choices and support the transition to zero emission transportation.”

All ComEd EV rebate programs put equity front and center, reserving more than half of the total funds for low-income customers and equity-eligible communities, and by offering higher rebates exclusively for low-income customers and for those located in or primarily serving low-income and equity-eligible communities. While EVs provide a wide range of benefits – from reducing emissions to generating fuel cost savings, to spurring economic development – the positive impacts on air quality benefit all communities, especially those most historically impacted by pollution.

“ComEd’s CEJA-enabled programs to get more zero-emission vehicles moving are critical for cutting health-damaging air pollution, particularly in vulnerable communities that face a higher burden from lung disease,” said Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health Programs at Respiratory Health Association. “We encourage all eligible applicants to take advantage of this great economic opportunity that will benefit both them and their neighbors.”

Since launching its first ever EV rebates last year, ComEd has seen a significant increase in customer EV projects. To date, ComEd has funded EV expansion projects in more than 300 ZIP codes, helping to propel nearly 3,500 residential and commercial charging L2 and DCFC ports, public and private, as well as the addition of over 200 new and pre-owned EV fleet vehicles for municipal, business customers and school districts. More than half of the funds have been directed to low-income customers and to propel projects in equity-eligible communities.

“We are pleased to see that ComEd’s rebate offers for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric school buses, are underway and picking up steam,” said Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate at Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Getting kids out of dirty diesel buses and communities having fewer diesel trucks and buses passing through them every day will help kids and adult residents’ lungs and health. With the new federal administration’s threats to numerous air quality programs, ComEd’s program is especially critical, giving school districts the opportunity to provide kids a clean ride to school and others a lifeline to modernize and clean up their vehicle fleets.”

ComEd’s EV investments have coincided with increasing the rate of adoption of EVs in Illinois, with more than 126,000 EVs on state roads today, and the vast majority, more than 112,000 of them, driving in northern Illinois. In addition to funding programs, ComEd facilitates a number of initiatives to support customers in moving toward EVs, and to help communities achieve their own local and regional transportation net-zero emissions goals.

“On behalf of the Chicagoland new-car dealers, we applaud ComEd for propelling the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles in Illinois,” said Chicago Automobile Trade Association President Jennifer Morand. “As EV adoption continues to grow in Illinois, local new-car dealers are committed to supporting the revolution by offering a variety of all-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles to consumers as well as provide much needed education.”

ComEd has teamed up with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in developing a first of its kind training for municipalities and local governments, called the EV Readiness program, helping them to create local ordinances, safety, and infrastructure plans designed to accommodate the growing demand for EVs in their communities. Since that time more than 41 local governments in northern Illinois have been reached by the program, receiving assistance with creating local policy to ensure safe and effective regional transportation electrification.

“ComEd’s support of our EV Readiness Program and commitment to expanding EV adoption and infrastructure has been a game-changes for the communities we serve,” said Kevin Burns, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Chairman of the Environment and Energy Committee and Immediate Past Executive Board Chairman. “By supporting our local initiatives to advance policies and build infrastructure for a sustainable future, ComEd’s investments will play a key role in reducing emissions, improving air quality and ensuring an equitable transition to clean transportation across northern Illinois.”

To ease the customer experience, ComEd offers Fleet Electrification Assessments, along with a make ready rebate reservation program, giving charging project developers certainty on available funding awaiting when they complete their projects, created a fleet EV Point of Sale program in partnership with more than 70 area auto dealers and manufacturers to qualify for fleet rebates for new and pre-owned vehicles at the time of purchase and established an EV Service Provider Network, comprised of over 84 local businesses certified to install EV charging infrastructure, providing customers a go-to list of contractors to call when they are planning to add charging infrastructure.

“Being a part of the ComEd Energy Efficiency program and the Electric Vehicle Service Providers network has been a blessing and life changing experience both personally and professionally,” said Ed West, president and owner of Veterans Energy. “This partnership has been critical to the growth of my business, and I look forward to the Veterans Energy team helping more EV-interested customers in northern Illinois qualify for expanded ComEd EV rebates that will help build their projects and go green in the coming year.”

To review eligibility requirements and to apply for EV funding, customers are encouraged to visit ComEd’s website.

Convo with a Congressman: Science, Tech & the Chicagoland Economy

Congressman Bill Foster DuPage

Host Greg Bedalov sits down with Illinois Congressman Bill Foster, congress’ only PhD physicist, for a sweeping conversation on AI, economics and more.

Why do smarter algorithms often require more energy? How does public support drive private-sector innovation? Why are so many data centers popping up in Northern Illinois? And most importantly, how do all these pieces fit together?

Find out on the DuPage Business Beat.

Special Guest: Congressman Bill Foster, representative of the 11th Congressional District of Illinois

Dive Deeper

  • In this episode, we talk about what makes DuPage County and the Chicagoland region so attractive to data centers and other tech investments. Here’s what makes us different.  
  • Speaking of data centers, here’s the story of a recent groundbreaking on a new $350M facility in Aurora, IL.
  • Another big topic here is quantum computing. Read about Chicago’s new Quantum Park here and learn how investments like this are positioning the regional economy for the future.

CyrusOne Breaks Ground on New Data Center

cyrus one data center

$350M Investment Builds on Illinois’ Booming Tech Industry

Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the CyrusOne team, Choose DuPage, ComEd, and local elected officials to break ground on the new data center in Aurora. The new campus, which consists of two buildings totaling 446,000 square feet, will serve local communities and national networks through the creation of state-of-the-art digital infrastructure solutions.

“When I became governor, I pledged to make Illinois a home for the high-tech, high-growth industries of the future,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.“This groundbreaking is the culmination of years of work with our partners at CyrusOne, and secures hundreds of construction jobs as well as over twenty data center positions for the people of our state. CyrusOne’s new data center joins the ecosystem of high-tech sectors that are flourishing in Illinois– from electric vehicles to quantum computing to chip manufacturers – that form the foundation of sustainable economic growth.”

CyrusOne selected Aurora for this $350 million investment with future growth and expansion capabilities in mind. The data center will create hundreds of construction jobs and more than 20 full-time positions. It is set to open in early 2026, a very quick timeline for a data center of this size, due in part to Illinois’ many economic development assets that create opportunities for companies like CyrusOne.

“With the Chicagoland being the third-largest data center market nationally and demand continuing surging, this expansion aligns perfectly with our strategic plan to enhance our capacity and capabilities,” said Eric Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of CyrusOne.“This investment reinforces our commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of our customer base in this critical market.”

“ComEd is committed to powering economic development projects that create local jobs and drive investment in our communities,” said ComEd President and CEO Gil Quiniones. “CyrusOne’s new site in Aurora will deliver on those goals, while prioritizing sustainable building and ensuring opportunities for revenue and job growth for Illinois. We look forward to delivering the resilient and reliable electrical infrastructure needed to serve their needs today and well into the future.”

In partnership with the State of Illinois, CyrusOne has been approved for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s data center investment program, which includes a Project Labor Agreement for the facility’s construction. IBEW will be the primary labor partner. CyrusOne has now invested over $1 billion across Illinois.

“This state-of-the-art data center expansion will strengthen our technological capabilities and create good-paying jobs for IBEW members. We’re excited to be part of this project that will help power Illinois’ innovation economy,” said IBEW Sixth District International Vice President Michael Clemmons. “I want to extend our appreciation to Governor JB Pritzker, whose tireless efforts in attracting these kinds of transformative investments have been instrumental in making Illinois a prime destination for projects that benefit our skilled workforce and our communities.”

“CyrusOne’s decision to include a Project Labor Agreement prioritizes the needs of Illinois working families by ensuring that the hundreds of construction jobs created will provide safe working conditions, good wages and benefits, and sustained investment in the local economy and workforce,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea.

The new campus builds on Illinois’ thriving data center industry, supported by the Pritzker administration’s data center incentives. Currently, four of the largest data center campuses in the nation are being built in Illinois, creating thousands of jobs and investing billions in the state.

Reimagining Economic Development in Chicago’s Suburbs

Economic Development Chicago Suburbs

Between high interest rates, changing work habits, and the upcoming election, there are a lot of factors affecting office and industrial markets. So we figured it was time to check back in with two of our previous podcast guests, who keep a close watch on all things real estate.

In our latest episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Jim Adler and Mark Moran, Executive Vice Presidents of the Oak Brook-based brokerage firm NAI Hiffman, for an update on office and industrial development in Chicagoland.

How are high interest rates affecting the industrial market, and what will happen when those rates begin to drop? How are Chicago’s suburbs getting creative and reimagining large office spaces post-pandemic? How are trends like hybrid work changing the game?

We cover all these topics and more on the latest Beat. 

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Ontogen Medtech Announces New Contract Manufacturing Business Unit and State-of-the-Art Facility Expansion

Ontogen Medtech Expansion

Ontogen Medtech, a product development firm specializing in medical device design and development, is proud to announce a major expansion of its operations with the launch of a new business unit dedicated to providing contract manufacturing services for clients in the medical device, in-vitro diagnostic, and health hard-tech industries. This development is part of the company’s broader strategy to offer a full spectrum of services to the health tech industry, from innovative design to scalable production. Accompanying this expansion, Ontogen Medtech is thrilled to welcome industry veteran Michael Corrigan as the head of the new manufacturing division. The company is also announcing its move into an expanded facility in September 2024 located in Lisle, Illinois, significantly enhancing its R&D and production capabilities.

“Our strategic decision to expand into contract manufacturing and to bring on Mike Corrigan to lead this new division marks a significant milestone in our company’s growth,” said Tyler Panian, Principal and Co-Founder of Ontogen Medtech. “Mike’s extensive experience and leadership in medical device manufacturing will be invaluable as we strive to meet the increasing demand for developing and producing high-quality, innovative medical devices for our clients. This expansion allows us to offer our partners comprehensive solutions that span the entire product lifecycle, from concept to commercialization.”

Michael Corrigan brings to Ontogen Medtech a wealth of experience in medical device manufacturing, having held numerous leadership positions where he oversaw the manufacturing scale-up and production of cutting-edge medical technologies. “I’m thrilled to join such an exceptional team. Adding best-in-class Contract Manufacturing services to Ontogen Medtech presents a fantastic opportunity to enhance the value we deliver to our clients,”  said Mike. His expertise will be instrumental in driving the success of the new contract manufacturing services, ensuring that Ontogen Medtech continues to deliver the highest standards of quality and innovation that have defined its reputation in the industry.

The new Ontogen Medtech facility boasts over 12,000 square feet of operational space, including a ~1,000 square-foot Class 7 clean room. This expansion not only reflects the company’s growth but also its ongoing commitment to adhering to the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance in all manufacturing processes. The state-of-the-art clean room is a cornerstone of the facility, ensuring that all products meet the stringent requirements necessary for medical device manufacturing. Ontogen Medtech’s strategic expansion and the addition of Michael Corrigan to its team underscore the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the medical device sector.

For more information about Ontogen Medtech, visit www.ontogenmedtech.com.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Location and PsiQuantum as Anchor Tenant of New Quantum Park

psiquantum

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker was joined by federal, state, and local leaders and partners to reveal the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s (IQMP) location at USX on the South Side of Chicago and announce the quantum campus’ first anchor tenant – PsiQuantum. As the leading quantum computing company focused on building the first useful, error-corrected quantum computer, PsiQuantum will drive innovation, competitive research, and economic growth in Illinois.

“PsiQuantum brings years of foundational research and scientific groundwork, a clear and comprehensive business and tech development strategy, and a global reputation as a pioneer in quantum computing applications—I am thrilled to welcome them to Chicago and have them as a partner in the work ahead of us,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our vision of Illinois as a global quantum capital comes further into focus at Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, providing limitless opportunities for economic investment and innovation right here on the South Side.”

“We are igniting a quantum revolution right here in Illinois,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “This historic investment goes beyond building a quantum campus; it’s a launch pad for groundbreaking creativity and research. By positioning Illinois as a global leader in quantum technology, we are ensuring the resilience of our economy and promoting job opportunities for the future.”

“Governor Pritzker and his administration have made extraordinary progress in establishing the state as a global leader in quantum computing, and PsiQuantum is thrilled to partner with them and anchor the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park,” said Prof. Jeremy O’Brien, PsiQuantum CEO and co-founder. “The IQMP will serve as a hub for the state’s thriving quantum ecosystem, and we can think of no better place to build the first utility-scale quantum computer in the United States.”

Through PsiQuantum’s 300,000-square-foot footprint at the IQMP, with room to grow, the company will work with customers, including Fortune 500 companies, to identify problems and develop fault-tolerant algorithms that will run on the IQMP system to deliver answers to customers. At least 150 new PsiQuantum jobs will be created at the IQMP, including system maintenance engineers, mechanical engineers, cryogenic plant technicians, test and assembly managers, and non-technical roles in finance, sales, supply chain, human resources, and more.

“Illinois has long held the spirit of invention, innovation, and leadership. The USX quantum computing campus, with PsiQuantum as the anchor tenant, further establishes Illinois as a global hub for quantum research and investment,” said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “With our growing partnership with the Department of Defense, the strength of our National Labs, the expertise of our universities, and the ambition of our business leaders, Illinois will continue to champion quantum technologies and industries of the future.”

“Illinois is a leader in our country’s quantum revolution—we’re making it clear that we’re ready to compete and have the projects and innovation to bring our state, nation and world into the future,” U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said. “I’m proud that Illinois’s new quantum campus will help bring significant innovation, investment and jobs to Chicago’s Southeast Side, and I’ll keep working to help support our state’s growing quantum industry from the federal level in any way I can.”

“Quantum technology is one of the critical industries of tomorrow, and the EDA-designated Bloch Tech Hub and the Illinois Quantum Park, with the strong partnership from the Governor, solidify Chicago as a burgeoning leader in quantum. This is place-based, innovation-forward economic development at its best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities. We look forward to an exciting, collaborative partnership with the consortium and its network to solidify America’s technological edge, and ensure the good-paying jobs this industry creates start, grow, and remain in the United States,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo

“The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park represents a generational opportunity for Illinois to secure its position as a leader in quantum computing and innovation,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “With PsiQuantum as an anchor tenant, the quantum campus’ vibrant atmosphere will create thousands of job opportunities with multiple tenants while bolstering economic growth throughout Illinois.”

“PsiQuantum has proven it is an industry leader in quantum computing, an emerging technology that will have significant global implications. It has never been clearer to the U.S. and our allies that where critical technologies are developed and manufactured is of the utmost importance to our economic and national security,” said PsiQuantum Government Advisory Board Member Michèle Flournoy. “With PsiQuantum’s partnership with the Australian government to build their first system in Brisbane and now today’s announcement that Chicago and Illinois are on a path to become home to America’s first utility-scale quantum computer, PsiQuantum is leading the race to develop this critical technology.”

The Chicago site has 128 acres ready for immediate development and an additional 312 acres available for expansion. Its strategic location near Lake Michigan and the Calumet River will provide the water sources needed for cooling, and the site can accommodate the large power needs. The park is strategically located to take advantage of Illinois’ top tier infrastructure with interstate, rail and water access along with close proximity to partners including the University of Chicago and the Chicago Quantum Exchange.

The quantum campus will also be the location of the State of Illinois’ new partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), designed to explore the potential of quantum computing in Illinois. Through the Quantum Proving Ground program, quantum computing prototypes will be tested and evaluated as part of DARPA’s new Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. This partnership is the result of investments made during the Pritzker administration in quantum research and infrastructure, in addition to the state’s strong local workforce, research, and university partners.

IQMP is projected to generate up to $20 billion in economic impact and create thousands of jobs. Additional tenants will be announced in the coming months.

PsiQuantum’s total incentive package from the State of Illinois, which includes Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act (MICRO), capital grants, workforce development assistance, a low interest loan and other incentives, is valued at $200 million. The MICRO agreement specifies a minimum company investment of $1.09 billion and the creation of at least 154 full-time jobs. A link to the full MICRO agreement can be found here.

Illinois is investing $500 million to build out its quantum campus where Fortune 500 companies and startups in quantum computing can co-locate with each other, as well as with federal research offices, national laboratories, and universities. This campus will result in commercialization opportunities for Illinois entrepreneurs, make Illinois an even more desirable destination for federal research grants, and attract leading global technology companies.

Governor Pritzker has made investing in quantum computing a major priority for his administration. In addition to the half a billion-dollar investment in the quantum campus, Illinois previously invested $200 million to support the Chicago Quantum Exchange, the first state to make that large of a commitment to quantum.

“Today, Illinois plants a flag and reminds the world of the leadership role we play in technology,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I can’t think of a better location to send that message. This site connects the power of our past with the promise for our future.”

“Illinois’ bright minds, world-class educational institutions, and innovative tech sector make the perfect ecosystem for this exciting next generation of computing and this next step in building a 21st Century economy,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “As we continue working to attract quality businesses and create cutting-edge jobs, this is another example of the smart investments that will help our state thrive.”

“We are at a pivotal moment in history as we launch the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, with PsiQuantum as our anchor tenant,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This groundbreaking initiative underscores our commitment to making our region a global leader in technology and innovation. By creating a dedicated space for quantum computing, we are not only fostering economic growth and job creation but also solidifying our position at the forefront of scientific advancement. The collaboration between Cook County, the City of Chicago and our state partners highlights our unified vision for a prosperous, equitable future in Cook County and throughout Illinois.”

Cook County is a key partner in the IQMP initiative, demonstrating its commitment to driving technological innovation and economic growth. To support this groundbreaking project, Cook County is considering a new property tax incentive for approval by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. This incentive would foster a favorable environment to drive economic development on the southeast side. In addition to this incentive, Cook County will commit $5 million to help establish the quantum computing hub at the USX site.

quantum
Intersect Illinois Chairman, John Atkinson, speaks at the announcement of the Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s location and the campus’ first anchor tenant, PsiQuantum.

“The continued collaboration between Governor JB Pritzker and his administration, DCEO, our incredible partners and the Intersect Illinois team has been instrumental in encouraging transformative new industries, like quantum and microelectronics, to set down roots here in our state,” said John Atkinson, Chairman of Intersect Illinois. “The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will build on our strong existing ecosystem to further establish our state as a global leader in quantum, and I look forward to seeing the progress of this extraordinary, first-of-its-kind campus.”

“We thank PsiQuantum for betting big on the Chicagoland region and Illinois, and applaud Governor Pritzker for his vision and pursuit of this quantum opportunity. ​ Between this project, our existing world-class quantum ecosystem, and the recent investments in quantum campus development and quantum research and development, Illinois is on the path to becoming a global leader in what will be one of the most consequential technological developments of the 21st century,” said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

We’re thrilled by today’s announcement the former U.S. Steel site in Chicago will become a global hub for quantum computing. Led by PsiQuantum, this development will shape the world for generations to come as we harness this game-changing technology to tackle some of our most pressing challenges. Quantum has the power to drastically transform industries vital to the economy, including manufacturing, biopharmaceutical development, national defense and cyber security,” said Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We’re proud to work collaboratively with Governor Pritzker’s office, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Intersect Illinois, world-class universities, national laboratories, and others to create an ecosystem that has put our state at the forefront of the quantum revolution.

“ComEd is excited to power the new quantum computing hub in Illinois and promote a thriving quantum ecosystem in this region,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. “These advancements in processing data have the potential to supercharge our ability to solve the most complex problems in science, energy and business. By providing unparalleled access to clean power, with industry-leading reliability, ComEd is uniquely positioned to enable quantum computing, along with the job creation and community investment that come with it.”


Published by Intersect Illinois | Original Article

Rendering photo is courtesy of Lamar Johnson Collaborative.

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Argonne’s Aurora supercomputer breaks exascale barrier

Argonne Aurora Supercomputer

The lab’s new system achieves over a quintillion calculations per second.

Aurora’s speed and artificial intelligence capabilities will transform scientific research and enable breakthroughs in some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate and materials science to energy storage and fusion energy.


The Aurora supercomputer at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has officially surpassed the exascale threshold, measuring over a quintillion calculations per second on the new Top500 list. The results were announced today at the ISC High Performance 2024 conference in Hamburg, Germany.

In its latest submission to the semi-annual list of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, Aurora registered 1.012 exaflops using 87% of the system’s 10,624 nodes. After making its Top500 debut in November 2023, the Argonne system retained its spot as the second fastest supercomputer and joined DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Frontier as the world’s second exascale machine. Aurora also earned the top spot in a measure of artificial intelligence (AI) performance, achieving 10.6 exaflops on the HPL-MxP benchmark.

We’re thrilled to see Aurora join the exascale club,” said Michael Papka, director of the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), a DOE Office of Science user facility at Argonne. ​I’m extremely proud of the Aurora team’s ongoing efforts to get the system up and running for the research community. We can’t wait to see what the full system will be capable of.”

As one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, Aurora gives scientists a powerful new tool for carrying out research involving simulation, AI and data analysis. The state-of-the-art system will not only enable breakthroughs in science and engineering but also spur new advances in technology and bolster the nation’s innovation infrastructure.

Aurora is fundamentally transforming how we do science for our country,” Argonne Laboratory Director Paul Kearns said. ​It will accelerate scientific discovery by combining high performance computing and AI to fight climate change, develop life-saving medical treatments, create new materials, understand the universe and so much more.”

Aurora excels at tackling both traditional scientific computing problems and AI-powered research,” added Rick Stevens, Argonne’s associate lab director for Computing, Environment and Life Sciences. ​As AI continues to reshape the scientific landscape, Aurora gives us a platform to develop new tools and approaches that will significantly accelerate the pace of research.”

Built by Intel and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Aurora’s first-of-its-kind architecture includes new technologies being deployed at an unprecedented scale. The supercomputer’s 63,744 graphics processing units (GPUs) make it the world’s largest GPU-powered system yet. It also has more endpoints in its interconnect technology than any other system to date.

The Aurora installation team, which includes staff from Argonne, Intel and HPE, continues to work through system validation, verification and scale-up activities. Their work has included addressing various hardware and software issues that emerge as the massive system nears full-scale operations.

Teams participating in the ALCF’s Aurora Early Science Program and DOE’s Exascale Computing Project have been preparing to run their research projects on Aurora for the past several years. The teams have demonstrated strong early performance gains while scaling and optimizing codes for the system. The initial Aurora projects include efforts to advance research in cosmology, fusion energy science, drug discovery and the design of new materials for clean energy technologies.

Hitting exascale is a huge milestone but enabling groundbreaking science is the ultimate goal,” said Susan Coghlan, ALCF project director for Aurora. ​The new performance numbers, along with some promising runs from our early science teams, give us a glimpse of what will be possible with Aurora.”


The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility provides supercomputing capabilities to the scientific and engineering community to advance fundamental discovery and understanding in a broad range of disciplines. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program, the ALCF is one of two DOE Leadership Computing Facilities in the nation dedicated to open science.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit their website.

Learn more about opportunities to partner with Argonne National Laboratory.