Wilbur C. Milhouse III
The leaders behind the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) are trailblazers in science, engineering, industry and academia, working together to uncover practical quantum applications and their infinite possibilities.
Wilbur C. Milhouse III, Chairman and CEO of Milhouse Engineering and Construction, has built his career at the intersection of engineering, infrastructure and community. A University of Illinois board trustee, Milhouse was tapped to chair the IQMP Board of Managers in 2024. Now, this native South Sider who grew up minutes from the IQMP site is helping lead the Board, a group of scientists, industry leaders and academic partners overseeing the Park’s operations. For Milhouse, this work means more than just advancing an emerging technology; it is about driving breakthroughs in healthcare, logistics and other industries while creating lasting opportunity and economic impact for South Chicago and Illinois.
How did you get involved in the quantum ecosystem?
When Governor Pritzker tapped the University of Illinois to bring stakeholders together to lead a quantum initiative, the Board of Trustees created a university-related organization (URO), which became the IQMP Board of Managers. I’m the only engineer on the board, so they felt I would be interested in leading it—which I was—and it has been a fantastic opportunity.
How would you describe your role as Board Chair?
Broad—this role touches everything from the development of the Park, to figuring out who should be there, to creating an ecosystem that fosters creativity and job opportunities. It’s about getting all the stakeholders on the same page, and making sure that the community isn’t just involved but that we’re adding value to the lives of the people around the campus. I make sure everyone stays laser focused on the goal—developing and scaling quantum computing—and help all parties see that we are working toward something bigger than ourselves.
What role do you see quantum computing playing in your industry?
I’m excited about the logistical possibilities such as air traffic control and storm response. At my firm, we design airports, so we’re familiar with the issues. A quantum-powered system has the potential to calculate how a storm in Chicago impacts air travel in other regions by looking at variables simultaneously. This would help with logistics, storm response and affect how we travel.
In construction, I think about composites and the different types of materials that could be developed and utilized. In Chicago, we have extreme weather conditions, which result in a lot of potholes. Quantum could help identify more durable materials that might help eliminate potholes. Those are the types of problems that large-scale quantum computers could have the potential to solve.
What potential application of quantum technology excites or interests you the most?
The most exciting applications are likely to be in healthcare. In healthcare, quantum computing has the potential to design treatments and medicines tailored to an individual rather than broad populations, which would be a game changer.
What is your greatest wish for the IQMP’s impact on South Chicago?
To bring hope and opportunity. The folks we partner with in South Chicago want better for their kids; they want to live in a nice house, eat clean, healthy food, get their children educated and have a better life for their family and those around them. The investments the IQMP and the quantum ecosystem are spurring can bring that in a very big way. Being part of that is impactful, and making sure individuals in this community are involved and connected with it is important to me.
How does Illinois’ history and culture of innovation inspire you and the work you’re leading?
I always tell people that great things come from Illinois: MRI technology; Mosaic, the first internet browser; LED light technology; even large-scale computing—ILLIAC (Illinois Automatic Computer), what we used to call supercomputers—started here. So, it’s fitting that we’re now embarking on large-scale quantum computing and creating something life-changing that will be so integrated into everyday life, we won’t remember what we did before. It’s exciting—and Illinois is built to do it.
QUICK INSIGHTS:
- Deep dish or tavern style: Tavern
- Early bird or night owl: Both.
- Favorite class in college: Psychology.
- If you could have dinner with any one person, living or historical, who would it be: Muhammad Ali.
- If you had to describe the IQMP’s potential in one word, what would it be: Limitless.
