Durbin Meets With PsiQuantum Leadership

Durbin Meets With PsiQuantum Leadership

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Victor Peng, Interim CEO of PsiQuantum, an anchor tenant of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago. During the meeting, Durbin and Mr. Peng discussed Illinois' position as a leader in quantum computing, as well as PsiQuantum's plans to develop a utility-scale quantum computer using silicon photonics technology.

"Illinois is leading the charge when it comes to quantum computing, and it's critical that we continue to invest in R&D to keep the momentum up," Durbin said. "Today, I spoke with Victor Peng from PsiQuantum, an anchor tenant at Chicago's IQMP campus, about how the federal government can be a champion for quantum technology, which is poised to revolutionize our national security and economy."

Photos of the meeting are available here.

Durbin has been a strong supporter of advancing quantum research. In February, Durbin introduced the DOE Quantum Leadership Act. The legislation, which is endorsed by PsiQuantum, would reinvigorate research and development (R&D) projects at DOE by authorizing more than $2.5 billion in funding over the next five years-well above the $625 million for DOE related programs laid out in the now-expired National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018.

Last July, he visited MxD in Chicago to discuss integrating quantum technology into manufacturing processes. He also joined Illinois leaders to announce the new partnership between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Illinois-Quantum Proving Ground-to promote quantum computing research, development, and manufacturing in the state. In June 2024, Durbin met with Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, Director of DARPA, to discuss Illinois' role in R&D in the defense industry.

Last summer, Durbin joined Illinois leaders in celebrating the newly-announced location of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park's (IQMP) location at USX on the South Side of Chicago and the announcement of the quantum campus' first anchor tenant, PsiQuantum. Illinois plans to invest $500 million into the new quantum campus to attract Fortune 500 companies and startups in quantum computing.

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