SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois will invest an additional $47 million into broadband expansion through Governor JB Pritzker’s Connect Illinois initiative. The investment, which represents the second phase of the governor’s plan to enhance broadband access for rural citizens, businesses and schools, will fund 22 projects in every region of the state. The expansion will bring high speed broadband to 13,000 underserved customers, according to Pritzker. 

“Thanks to these investments, thousands more families and businesses will have access to the economic opportunity, education, and healthcare that come with 21st century connectivity,” Pritzker said. “Connect Illinois is all about opening doors and closing gaps for our residents, delivering demonstrable change to people’s lives and real opportunity for new business development and new jobs. I’m grateful to our partners in making this round of projects possible – and with another $350 million already available for the next round, this impact is just the beginning.”

The third round of funding Pritzker mentioned will be in the form of grants, which will be awarded on a rolling basis through 2024. In June 2020, the governor traveled to the Henry County town of Geneseo to kick off his Connect Illinois plan with the awarding of $50 million in grants for 28 projects. The Connect Illinois initiative is rolled into Illinois’ bipartisan, $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan. 

Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) director Scott Gaffner said the governor’s broadband initiative is a win for farmers and their business operations. 

“As Chairman of the Rural Broadband Task Force for the ISA, we have been working hard to ensure our members and their neighbors have full access to broadband services,” said Gaffner. “Studies have shown that farm families increase profitability on their farms when high-speed broadband is available. The recent commitment by Governor Pritzker, to provide the largest broadband capital investment to date, will substantially help soybean farmers to become more successful with their business operations and will greatly assist in providing broadband to Illinois’ rural residents.”

The second round of Connect Illinois funding will be awarded to 14 different internet service providers, rural cooperatives and local governments in more than 30 counties. It includes $23 million in award grants matched with $24 million in non-state funding. The small community of Flanagan (pop. 1,100; Livingston County) will be among the underserved towns and counties to benefit from round two funding. 

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for the 400 households in the Village of Flanagan who will be connected to essential, high-quality broadband” said Rep. Tom Bennett (R-106th). “This Rebuild Illinois investment is making an incredible impact on the everyday lives of families in my district.”

Historically underserved residents in rural southwestern Illinois will also benefit, according to Gary Hoelscher, president of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois. 

“We are very excited about the state’s continued commitment to broadband expansion throughout Illinois, especially in the southwestern region,” Hoelscher said. “Increasing equity in access, adoption, and use is an important step in ensuring people can pursue work and education opportunities despite other challenges they may face. Broadband growth also spurs economic development, which is a win for all.”

The broadband funding will serve to enhance access to telemedicine options and more for rural Illinoisans, pointed out Mike Levin, ISA senior director of government relations. “This funding will mean families and businesses across the state will have access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities and essential connectivity,” said Levin. “It will mean new jobs, economic development, and a narrowing of gaps among small and large Illinois communities.”

The total Connect Illinois capital investment in broadband is expected to total $420 million, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). 

“Connect Illinois grants continue to help expand broadband infrastructure across the state, bringing resources to communities that need it most,” said acting DCEO Director, Sylvia I. Garcia. “We are investing in meaningful capital projects to provide high-speed, reliable internet to households and businesses that have lacked access – boosting education, jobs, and economic opportunity for communities across Illinois in the process.”