New Fermilab accelerator to further efforts to understand the universe

This architectural rendering shows the buildings that will house the new PIP-II accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia. Courtesy of Fermilab

  Gov. J.B. Pritzker, center, has his picture taken from a lift with many other attendees after a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for a new accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

  Gov. J.B. Pritzker, center, talks to Lia Merminga, PIP-II project director, and Consul General of India in Chicago Neeta Bhushan on Friday during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new particle accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

  Lia Merminga, PIP-II project director, speaks Friday during a groundbreaking ceremony at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia for a new linear proton accelerator, called PIP-II. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

  Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Director Nigel Lockyer speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new linear proton accelerator, called PIP-II. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer