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Connect Illinois program launches with $50 million for broadband expansion

More Illinois residents, including farmers will soon reap the benefits of better internet connectivity through Connect Illinois, the state’s broadband expansion program.

Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday the release of $50 million in funding for the first round of matching grants through the program.

Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton told ag broadcasters Tuesday that farmers will be positively impacted.

“This is important not just from an economic standpoint, but it is important for business owners and farms are businesses. They need to be able to connect to the global market and they are going to be able to do that through broadband.”

She says Connect Illinois is a 4-year plan projected to put forth $420 million towards Illinois broadband.

“Over the years we have seen broadband get to a certain point and then the work stops. With this program we will see over the next few years consistent expansion of broadband internet access.”

Internet service providers, rural cooperatives, nonprofits and local governments can apply for the grants and must provide at least 50% of non-state funding, effectively doubling the size of the nation’s largest state competitive grant program to expand high-speed internet.