JOLIET – Since taking office, State Senator Rachel Ventura has been an advocate for the expansion of broadband across the state focusing on access and reliability for all Illinoisans. Illinois was recently approved to receive $1.04 billion in funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to support high-speed internet access statewide. This funding will connect approximately 350,000 residents by 2031.
“It today’s day and age, access to reliable high-speed internet is essential to everyday life,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Every single Illinois resident relies on high-speed internet, no matter where they live in the state. Continued investment into the broadband network is necessary to ensure everyone has reliable access to high-speed internet.”
The new funding will build on the success of Connect Illinois, the state’s broadband expansion initiative to deliver high-speed internet to thousands of homes across the state. Across the first three funding rounds, the program generated nearly $614 million in combined public and private investments, supporting projects led by 27 internet service providers and local governments to extend access to more than 44,000 households, businesses and community institutions. To date, over 20,610 households have already been connected, with thousands more slated to be set up in the coming months.
Throughout her time in the Illinois General Assembly, Ventura has introduced and sponsored a number of broadband related bills ensuring access and reliability across the state.
- Senate Bill 3612: Would address minimum broadband speeds and maximum prices for low-income consumers to fortify broadband access.
- House Bill 1062: Directs state efforts to ensure broadband expansion continues despite federal funding cuts.
- Senate Bill 43: Would remove current restrictions on the Illinois Century Network (ICN) – the primary wholesaler of essential internet services – allowing ICN to build broadband infrastructure that extends directly to homes, businesses, and other institutions.
- Senate Bill 851: Upgrades broadband connectivity in essential public institutions such as schools, libraries and correctional facilities – ensuring students can access online learning resources, business can engage in e-commerce and communities can remain connected.
- Senate Bill 1437: Would create the Office of Broadband Access which would oversee the construction, development and operation of the broadband network statewide to ensure reliable service to all areas of the state.
Ventura will continue to advocate for reliable and accessible broadband access across Illinois.
