South siders call for Mayor Brandon Johnson to ‘revoke the permits’ for a controversial quantum computing facility
South Chicago residents demanded Mayor Brandon Johnson revoke permits for the Quantum Shore development, which includes a controversial data center. Mayor Johnson responded by signing an executive order for new data center regulations and proposed a moratorium on new data centers in Chicago. The development's status remains contested, with developers and community groups disagreeing on its future.
Over 350 residents gathered at Arnold Mireles Academy in South Chicago to protest the Quantum Shore development, which features a quantum computing research park and a proposed data center. Organized by Southside Together, the town hall demanded Mayor Brandon Johnson explain his support for the project and called for permits to be revoked.
Mayor Johnson, while not directly answering calls for a "yes" or "no" on revoking permits, affirmed his commitment to environmental justice and public health. He highlighted an executive order he signed days prior, establishing new noise regulations, permit requirements to reduce air pollution from diesel generators, and assessments for energy demand, water use, noise, and environmental burdens for planned data center developments. The Mayor also called for the City Council to impose a moratorium on new or expanded data centers until permanent regulations are established.
Developers Related Midwest and CRG, along with their parent company Related Companies and subsidiary Related Digital, are involved in the Quantum Shore project. The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) CEO sent a letter stating they would not build a data center on their specific campus, though the community believes this does not address the separate, massive data center proposed by Related Digital for the north end of the site. The city's Department of Planning and Development has not yet approved any building permits or business licenses for Related Digital's data center.
Community members voiced concerns about displacement, increased utility bills, potential blackouts from the project's projected one gigawatt energy use, and construction-related health impacts. Southside Together organizer Lia Terrell expressed disappointment with the Mayor's stance but vowed to continue the fight, emphasizing the power of organized community opposition.