Local group pushes South Chicago quantum project forward with community support

A New Movement for South Chicago

A new group is working to bring the community together in support of an upcoming quantum development park in South Chicago. Their goal is to address concerns and ensure that everyone understands the potential benefits of the project. The coalition includes over 20 organizations, many of which are made up of local residents and small business owners. Together, they are organizing events to educate people who may be skeptical about the development.

"This is about access," said Dr. Roni-Nicole Facen, Principal of St. Francis de Sales High School. "The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park Development will provide South Chicago with jobs, opportunities, and investment."

Jorge Perez, owner of Chico's Oven, shared a similar sentiment. He believes the project will help reboot the community and create a foundation for future development. "It's something technological that has to come here to provide development for the future," he said.

The facility, which broke ground in September, is a multibillion-dollar project covering 300,000 square feet. It is expected to employ up to 150 people within five years. However, there have been concerns in the past about whether the project would truly benefit the local community.

Freddie Batchelor, a lifelong resident of South Chicago, emphasized the importance of tapping into the existing talent in the area. "You can't say they don't have the credentials because they do," he said. "It's about bringing people from the backyard and giving them opportunities."

Despite these concerns, members of the coalition believe that more education is needed to change perceptions. Sharon Brown Latiker, another long-time resident, sees the project as an opportunity for future generations. "This is something my grandchildren and great grandchildren can look forward to," she said. "A community can't be what it can't see."

For students like Raven Patton, a high school senior interested in STEM fields, the development represents a chance to gain access to careers that were previously out of reach. "It's an opportunity to get in at the ground level and explore careers we may have never known about," she said.

To foster collaboration, the coalition is holding monthly community gatherings to discuss the development. They are also making efforts to engage local businesses, such as offering "Quantum Donuts" from member Jorge Perez as a snack during events.

The coalition believes that by working together, the community can create a partnership that supports the project rather than opposing it. "Let's use our leadership abilities to ask the questions and find ways to work together," said Perez. "It's easy to say no, but we need to focus on how we can make this work."

The quantum development park is expected to open in just over a year, and the coalition is determined to ensure that the community is fully informed and involved throughout the process. By bringing people together, they hope to build a stronger, more inclusive future for South Chicago.