Illinois Investing Big in Broadband for Rebuild Illinois Program

SPRINGFIELD, IL—Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker officially launched a $420-million “Connect Illinois” infrastructure initiative last week that will expand broadband to the health, education and economic development sectors.

The governor on Thursday named 25 members of the state’s Broadband Advisory Council. The Rebuild Illinois initiative, passed and signed into law in June 2019, dedicates $400 million to partnering with Internet service providers to build 21st century infrastructure connecting communities across the state to high-speed Internet. It also invests $20 million in the Illinois Century Network, an existing broadband network serving K-12 schools, higher education, public libraries, museums, state and local governments and the health care community.

“Rebuild Illinois will improve our infrastructure at a historic scale, and it lays the foundation for economic progress and educational success for the decades to come,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “High-speed broadband Internet is an absolute necessity for economic progress and educational attainment, but too many of our towns and counties and communities have been left out of the digital revolution, especially downstate. Our Broadband Advisory Council will be guided by three areas of focus for Illinois’ success in the 21st century: education, telehealth and economic development. By working together, we’re going to Connect Illinois.”

The program is geared to increasing access to telehealth across the state of Illinois, which will provide additional health care options to communities in rural Illinois and expand treatment opportunities in areas such as mental health and opioid addiction.

In terms of education, the funding is intended to put the state on a path to increased broadband access for K-12 schools throughout the state.

Rebuild Illinois will also expand economic development and opportunity in urban and rural communities throughout Illinois. The investment will support the growth of Illinois’ agriculture economy and information technology sector and will help to modernize transportation and support the development of entrepreneurs and small business owners, state officials note.

“Access to high-speed, reliable internet is an integral part of supporting our existing business community, bringing new companies to the state, and providing workers access to education and employment opportunities,” said Erin Guthrie, Acting Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “Thanks to Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois program, DCEO has $400 million to expand broadband to every corner of the state and bring economic development to all Illinois communities.”

By Dec. 31, the council will deliver a report to the governor and General Assembly with recommendations for the statewide broadband expansion.