SOUTH CHICAGO RESIDENTS LAUNCH “SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORS FOR QUANTUM” IN SUPPORT OF HISTORIC ILLINOIS QUANTUM AND MICROELECTRONICS PARK DEVELOPMENT


SOUTH CHICAGO RESIDENTS LAUNCH “SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORS FOR QUANTUM” IN SUPPORT OF HISTORIC ILLINOIS QUANTUM AND MICROELECTRONICS PARK DEVELOPMENT

Southeast Neighbors for Quantum aims to elevate local voices, ensure the next generation and community benefits from this historic project 


Chicago, IL — Today, a group of longtime South Chicago and South Shore residents officially launched Southeast Neighbors for Quantum, a new community-based organization formed to elevate the voices of residents who are excited for the potential that the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park and Quantum Shore holds for local community members and families.


The group includes business owners, educators, parents, artists, homeowners, changemakers and advocates who are passionate about bringing jobs, opportunity and investment to their community.


“For more than thirty years, we’ve waited for an opportunity like this to come along that could help our community become the thriving economic center that it once was, and we could not be more excited about the potential that the IQMP holds,” said Jorge Perez, South Chicago small business owner and founding member of the group. “We live here, we raise our families here, and we are passionate about our neighborhood’s future. This group came together because we don’t want this generational opportunity to pass us by - and because we want to make sure the voices of those who actually call this community home are heard every step of the way.”


Today’s launch took place at St. Francis de Sales High School where the group outlined their mission and goals, which includes leveraging this historic development as a driver for investment and growth, centering the authentic voices of the community, and ensuring the IQMP and Quantum Shore will positively impact residents and young people throughout the community.


“As a born and raised southeast sider, my parents instilled a responsibility to nurture and breathe new life into the community we love,” said Dr. Roni Facen, Principal, St. Francis de Sales High School, and founding member of the group. “We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to prepare our young people and students not only for the jobs of the future, but for opportunities right here in our own backyard. It’s on us to help make this project a success so that it will benefit our children and grandchildren for generations to come.”


“Our small business owners are looking forward to increased foot traffic and new customers,” said Erika Galan, founding member of the group. “People who work at Quantum Shore are going to go out for lunch, stop to shop on the way home, and seek out services near their workplace. That kind of steady activity can be transformational for a corridor like ours.”


As part of today’s announcement, Southeast Neighbors for Quantum also launched a website, and will eventually expand to social media, continue to grow its membership and participate in community events across South Chicago and South Shore.


“Quantum Shore is bringing jobs — and not just jobs, but careers,” said Dr. Sharon Brown-Latiker, founding member of the group. “It’s also bringing opportunity for our kids. They’ll have exposure to the best tech in their schools — comparable to anything in Chicago.”


More information about the organization can be found at southeastneighborsforquantum.com.

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