South Side Residents Fight $9B Quantum Campus Plan

Community activists push new ballot initiative to relocate project in favor of grocery stores, affordable housing, and youth spaces.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Chicago Board of Elections approved a non-binding referendum that would have let March primary voters weigh in on the $9 billion PSI Quantum computing campus planned for the former U.S. Steel site on the South Side. However, the board later rejected the March ballot initiative over "confusing and ambiguous" language. South Side residents and activists continue to oppose the quantum computing/microelectronics project and are now pushing a new November ballot initiative to relocate the project in favor of grocery stores, affordable housing, and youth-focused community spaces.

Why it matters

The proposed quantum computing campus has faced significant community opposition, with residents arguing the project does not address the neighborhood's more pressing needs for basic services and community resources. The fight over the project's fate highlights the ongoing tensions between large-scale development plans and community priorities in Chicago's South Side.

The details

After the Board of Elections approved a non-binding referendum for the March primary that would have allowed voters to weigh in on the $9 billion PSI Quantum computing campus, the board later rejected the ballot initiative, citing "confusing and ambiguous" language. Undeterred, South Side residents and activists have now set their sights on a new November ballot initiative that would let voters consider relocating the microelectronics park in favor of more community-oriented spaces like grocery stores, affordable housing, and youth centers.

  • The Chicago Board of Elections approved a non-binding referendum for the March primary two weeks ago.
  • The Board of Elections rejected the March ballot initiative earlier this month.

The players

PSI Quantum

The company planning the $9 billion quantum computing/microelectronics campus on the former U.S. Steel site in Chicago's South Side.

Southside Together

A community organization representing South Side residents and activists opposed to the PSI Quantum campus project.

Chicago Board of Elections

The local election board that approved and then rejected ballot initiatives related to the PSI Quantum campus project.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We don't need a quantum facility in our community. We don't need a data center in our community. We need spaces for youth where activities can be held, spaces where people can congregate and learn about job opportunities.”

— Southside Together representative (FOX Chicago)

What’s next

Activists are now pushing a new November ballot initiative to let voters consider relocating the PSI Quantum project in favor of more community-oriented spaces.

The takeaway

The fight over the proposed $9 billion quantum computing campus on Chicago's South Side highlights the ongoing tensions between large-scale development plans and community priorities, with residents arguing the project does not address their needs for basic services and community resources.