Innovation in Illinois - Global quantum computing pioneer, Pasqal, to establish U.S. headquarters in Illinois

Pasqal, a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, will establish their U.S. headquarters as a future tenant of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s South Side.

Located at a historic and scenic site on Lake Michigan just minutes away from downtown Chicago, the IQMP offers direct access to universities, national labs and transportation for local, national and global connectivity. The multibillion-dollar, 128-acre public-private IQMP will include shared cryogenic facilities, equipment labs and research spaces. Tenants include quantum computing company PsiQuantum and the DARPA-Illinois Quantum Proving Ground and will ultimately become a full ecosystem of companies, researchers, suppliers, end users and other partners. It will be managed by an organization affiliated with the University of Illinois system.

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Home of the brave: How Illinois honors our veterans

Each November, Illinois joins the nation in honoring those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. From the state’s earliest days to the present, Illinois has been home to men and women whose courage and commitment have shaped both our nation’s history and the communities we call home.

Illinois has a proud military legacy; today, the state remains home to over 400,000 veterans. Across Illinois, we preserve the history of our veterans and ensure their stories live on through museums, memorials and community events that keep their service from being forgotten.

In Springfield, the Illinois State Military Museum offers visitors a chance to explore artifacts and personal stories spanning from the Revolutionary War to modern conflicts. Displays include equipment, uniforms, and letters from Illinois soldiers who served around the world. Just outside the city, the Camp Butler National Cemetery stands as a solemn reminder of those who gave their lives in service, with more than 25,000 veterans and their family members laid to rest.

Farther north, the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood provides a peaceful resting place for veterans of every generation. Established in 1999, it continues Illinois’ tradition of honoring those who served—a legacy that stretches back to President Lincoln himself, who established the national cemetery system during the Civil War.

Illinois honors the personal sacrifice of those who served in the US Armed Forces. With a long history of supporting veterans, it remains one of the best states in the nation for service members transitioning to civilian life. From career training and housing support to educational opportunities like the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) and expanded mental health services, communities across the state are helping veterans and their families build strong, fulfilling lives after their time in uniform.

This Veterans Day, as we reflect on the freedoms we enjoy, Illinois honors the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of its veterans. Their service reminds us that patriotism is not only something to remember once a year—it’s something we live every day through gratitude, service and community.

Fischer Theatre to host festival in honor of Danville native Dick Van Dyke with exclusive screening of documentary

• Danville
• Dick Van Dyke
• Entertainment

Beloved stage and screen icon Dick Van Dyke is being honored by his hometown of Danvillein celebration of his upcoming 100^th birthday.

Van Dyke, who was raised in Danville and started his career in the town as a local radio DJ on WDAN, became a household name for starring in the CBS sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show in the early 1960s, and went on to great acclaim in movie musicals Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Throughout his illustrious career, Van Dyke has been received a Grammy Award, six Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, a Disney Legends Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors.  

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Honoring Illinois’ Native Roots

Long before Illinois became a state it was home to many Native American tribes whose cultures and communities shaped the region’s history.

The land was primarily inhabited by the Illiniwek Confederation, a group of tribes that included the Kaskaskia, Peoria, Cahokia, Michigamea, and Tamaroa.

The word “Illinois” itself comes from “Illiniwek,” meaning “the people.” These tribes built villages along rivers, hunted game on the prairies, and developed extensive trade networks that reached across the continent.

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