20 ILCS 605/605-1115

(20 ILCS 605/605-1115)

Sec. 605-1115. Quantum computing campuses.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Data center" means a facility: (1) whose primary services are the storage, management, and processing of digital data; and (2) that is used to house (A) computer and network systems, including associated components such as servers, network equipment and appliances, telecommunications, and data storage systems, (B) systems for monitoring and managing infrastructure performance, (C) Internet-related equipment and services, (D) data communications connections, (E) environmental controls, (F) fire protection systems, and (G) security systems and services.

"Full-time equivalent job" means a job in which an employee works for a tenant of the quantum campus at a rate of at least 35 hours per week. Vacations, paid holidays, and sick time are included in this computation. Overtime is not considered a part of regular hours.

"Quantum computing campus" or "campus" is a contiguous area located in the State of Illinois that is designated by the Department as a quantum computing campus in order to support the demand for quantum computing research, development, and implementation for practical use. A quantum computing campus may include educational institutions, nonprofit research and development organizations, and for-profit organizations serving as anchor tenants and joining tenants that, with approval from the Department, may change. Tenants located at the campus shall have direct and supporting roles in quantum computing activities. Eligible tenants include quantum computer operators and research facilities, data centers, manufacturers and assemblers of quantum computers and component parts, cryogenic or refrigeration facilities, and other facilities determined, by industry and academic leaders, to be fundamental to the research and development of quantum computing for practical solutions. Quantum computing shall include the research, development, and use of computing methods that generate and manipulate quantum bits in a controlled quantum state. This includes the use of photons, semiconductors, superconductors, trapped ions, and other industry and academically regarded methods for simulating quantum bits. Additionally, a quantum computing campus shall meet the following criteria:

(1) the campus must comprise a minimum of 100 acres and not more than 640 acres;

(2) the campus must contain tenants that demonstrate a substantial plan for using the designation to encourage participation by organizations owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, as those terms are defined in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and the hiring of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities;

(3) upon being placed in service, within 60 months after designation or incorporation into a campus, the owners of property located in a campus shall certify to the Department that the property is carbon neutral or has attained certification under one or more of the following green building standards:

(A) BREEAM for New Construction or BREEAM, In-Use;

(B) ENERGY STAR;

(C) Envision;

(D) ISO 50001-energy management;

(E) LEED for Building Design and Construction, or LEED for Operations and Maintenance;

(F) Green Globes for New Construction, or Green Globes for Existing Buildings;

(G) UL 3223; or

(H) an equivalent program approved by the Department.

(b) Tenants located in a designated quantum computing campus shall qualify for the following exemptions:

(1) the Department may certify a taxpayer for an exemption from any State or local use tax or retailers' occupation tax on building materials that will be incorporated into real estate at a quantum computing campus; and

(2) an exemption from the charges imposed under Section 9-222 of the Public Utilities Act, Section 5-10 of the Gas Use Tax Law, Section 2-4 of the Electricity Excise Tax Law, Section 2 of the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act, Section 10 of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Act, and Section 5-7 of the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications Tax Act.

(c) Each tenant eligible for exemptions under subsection (b) of this Section shall be issued a certificate by the Department. Upon issuing certificates under this Section, the Department shall notify the Department of Revenue of the certificates, and the Department of Revenue shall issue and administer the exemptions listed in subsection (b) of this Section. The duration of those exemptions may not exceed 20 calendar years and one renewal for an additional 20 years.

(d) Entities seeking to form a quantum computing campus must apply to the Department in the manner specified by the Department.

The Department and any tenant located in a quantum computing campus seeking the benefits under this Section must enter into a memorandum of understanding that, at a minimum, provides:

(1) the details for determining the amount of capital investment to be made;

(2) the number of new jobs created;

(3) the timeline for achieving the capital investment and new job goals;

(4) the repayment obligation should those goals not be achieved and any conditions under which repayment by the tenant or tenants claiming the exemption shall be required;

(5) the duration of the exemptions; and

(6) other provisions as deemed necessary by the Department.

A certificate designating a quantum computing campus shall be issued by the Department to each qualifying campus. The Department shall, within 10 days after the designation of a quantum computing campus, send a letter of notification to each member of the General Assembly whose legislative district or representative district contains all or part of the designated area.

(e) Beginning on July 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, the Department shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the outcomes and effectiveness of Public Act 103-595. The report shall include the following:

(1) the names of each tenant located within the quantum computing campus;

(2) the location of each quantum computing campus;

(3) the estimated value of the credits to be issued to quantum computing campus tenants;

(4) the number of new jobs and, if applicable, retained jobs pledged at each quantum computing campus; and

(5) whether or not the quantum computing campus is located in an underserved area, an energy transition zone, or an opportunity zone.

(f) Tenants at the quantum computing campus seeking a certificate of exemption related to the construction of required facilities shall require the contractor and all subcontractors to:

(1) comply with the requirements of Section 30-22 of the Illinois Procurement Code as those requirements apply to responsible bidders and to present satisfactory evidence of that compliance to the Department; and

(2) enter into a project labor agreement submitted to the Department.

(g) The Department shall not issue any new certificates of exemption under the provisions of this Section after July 1, 2030. This sunset shall not affect any existing certificates of exemption in effect on July 1, 2030.

(h) The Department shall adopt rules to implement and administer this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-595, eff. 6-26-24; 104-6, eff. 6-16-25; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)