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NewsChicago Sun-Times — IllinoisJuly 2, 2026United States

Senator Duckworth Travels to Japan to Promote Illinois Tech and Trade

Senator Tammy Duckworth is visiting Japan to strengthen economic ties, focusing on quantum technology partnerships, agricultural exports, and modular housing solutions for Illinois. The trip includes meetings with major tech firms and government officials to encourage investment and job creation in the state.

economic developmentquantum computinginternational tradeagriculturehousingtechnology
Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times — Illinois

Why It Matters

The trip aims to secure international investment and partnerships that could impact Illinois' technology sector, agricultural export markets, and the cost of prefabricated housing.

Key Facts

  • IBM is opening a FutureNow Chicago delivery center at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, expected to create 750 full-time jobs.
  • IBM committed to hiring one-third of qualified graduates from a new City Colleges of Chicago apprenticeship program.
  • Senator Duckworth is meeting with Toshiba, IBM, and DMG Mori to discuss quantum technology partnerships in Illinois.
  • Q-STAR members are scheduled to visit Chicago for The Global Quantum Forum on July 22.
  • Senator Duckworth is investigating Japanese modular housing manufacturing to explore ways to reduce the cost of prefabricated housing in the U.S.
  • The Senator is meeting with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation to discuss trade for Illinois soy, corn, ethanol, and sustainable air fuel.
  • DMG Mori is relocating its U.S. headquarters from Hoffman Estates to Chicago.
  • Senator Duckworth is meeting with Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama to discuss economic opportunities between Osaka and Illinois.

Who's Mentioned

personHideyuki Yokoyama“Mayor of Osaka.”organizationToshiba“Japanese technology company involved in quantum research.”organizationQ-STAR“Japanese Quantum Consortium.”organizationIBM“Technology company establishing a delivery center in Chicago.”personJB Pritzker“Governor of Illinois involved in quantum expansion efforts.”locationIllinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park“Site of the new IBM FutureNow Chicago delivery center.”personShimada Taro“CEO of Toshiba.”personTammy Duckworth“U.S. Senator leading the trade delegation to Japan.”