CHICAGO (WLS) — A new coalition is working to engage the South Chicago community ahead of the upcoming Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park Development. Their goal is to address and ease concerns surrounding the project by educating residents and small business owners about the opportunities it will bring.
The Southeast Neighbors for Quantum Coalition, made up of about 20 organizations, recently organized a community gathering to inform those who may be hesitant about the quantum development.
“This is about access,” said Dr. Roni-Nicole Facen, Principal of St. Francis de Sales High School.
The coalition emphasizes that the multibillion-dollar, 300,000-square-foot facility, which broke ground in September, will provide South Chicago with jobs, new opportunities, and vital investment. Over the next five years, the facility is expected to employ up to 150 people.
“It’s going to be something technological that has to come here to reboot this community or provide development for the future,” said Jorge Perez, owner of Chico’s Oven.
In the past, some community members have expressed concern that the project might not benefit local residents. However, voices within the coalition argue that South Chicago residents are more than qualified to take part in the development.
“Don’t go to those areas and bring people in to work and build everything else. No — it’s people right in the backyard, right all around here that you can tap,” said resident Freddie Batchelor. “You can’t say they don’t have the credentials because they do.”
Coalition members say more education about the project is key to dispelling doubts and encouraging community involvement.
“This is something that my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, can look forward to. As I always say, a community can’t be what a community can’t see,” said lifelong South Chicago resident Sharon Brown Latiker.
The development is expected to open doors for the next generation, including young people like Raven Patton, a high school senior with dreams of pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
“It’s an opportunity for us to get in at the ground level and access careers we may have previously never even known about,” Patton said.
To foster collaboration, the coalition is committed to hosting monthly community gatherings. At these meetings, residents can learn more about the development, ask questions, and explore ways to work together for the community’s benefit.
At the recent event, local business owner and coalition member Jorge Perez even provided his recently named “Quantum Donuts” as snacks, symbolizing community spirit and partnership.
“Let’s use our leadership abilities to create a collaboration or partnership and really ask the questions — not in terms of saying no, because it’s easy to do that — but to see how we can work together,” Perez said.
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park Development is expected to open in just over a year, marking a significant milestone for South Chicago’s growth and future.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/southeast-neighbors-quantum-coalition-seeks-get-community-onboard-upcoming-south-chicago-development/18669227/