The Illinois Office of Broadband (IOB) is launching a comprehensive local coordination effort to gather input for the State’s plan for investing federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity (DE) programs (see resources section for more information on BEAD and DE).
Today there are at least 200,000 Illinois households without high-speed internet infrastructure, and at least 1.1 million Illinois households without a desktop or laptop computer. The funding programs provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to get every Illinoisan—from those living on remote country roads to those living in under-resourced urban neighborhoods—connected to the economic and social benefits available through high-speed internet. To do so, we need to gather input from all broadband stakeholders.
Specifically, we want to:
- Describe the opportunity presented by the historic federal funding
- Understand the experiences and perspectives of Illinoisans to inform strategic BEAD and DE plans
- Share details of the Illinois Broadband Lab’s work so far and plans for the future
- Empower existing partners and grow new partnerships with stakeholders who are committed to expanding broadband access and increasing digital equity
- Build long-term capacity for all impacted communities and key stakeholders
Get involved
Do you or your family face challenges getting internet connectivity in your home? Could you or your family use support with devices and digital skills?
We are working to include local stakeholders in the planning process for federal funds so that the plan for Illinois reflects the needs and priorities of communities. To this end, we have a variety of opportunities to engage with you and hear from you. Please check back regularly as we will add dates and times for listening sessions and webinars.
Here are ways to get involved:
In-Person Listening Sessions
Voice your broadband concerns and needs, and share barriers to broadband access within your communities. Please register for sessions by clicking the button next to your region. However, registration is not required to attend if you would like to remain anonymous.
Additional details will be added as dates and locations are finalized.
- Southern Region Listening Sessions – March 1-2
- Southwest Region – March 15-16
- March 15 – Kaskaskia College Health & Business Building Auditorium – 2-3:30 p.m. – Agenda
- Residents, non-profits and community organizations
- March 16 – Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus, SIUE East St. Louis Center, Building D Multipurpose Room – 2-3:30 p.m. – Agenda
- Residents, non-profits and community organizations
- March 15 – Kaskaskia College Health & Business Building Auditorium – 2-3:30 p.m. – Agenda
- Southeast Region – March 22
- March 22 – Effingham County Extension Office, 1209 Wenthe Drive, Effingham, IL 62401 – 6-7 p.m. – Agenda
- East Central Region – Week of April 10
- April 12 – Champaign County Farm Bureau, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign, IL 61821 – 6-7 p.m. – Agenda
- April 13 – Danville Area Community College Vermilion Hall Room 306, 2000 E. Main St., Danville, IL 61832 – 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Agenda
- Chicago Part 1
- April 19 — Chicago Local Government (Closed Event)
- April 19 – Malcolm X College Room 1107, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612 – 3-4 p.m. – Agenda
- Community organizations
- RSVP: https://chi-cbo-session.eventbrite.com
- Central Region – April 25 & 26
- April 25 – Macon County Extension Office Illini Room, 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., Decatur, IL 62521 (parking on either side of building) – 5-6 p.m. – Agenda
- Residents
- RSVP at https://decatur-session.eventbrite.com
- April 26 – Innovate Springfield, 15 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701 – 3-4 p.m. – Agenda
- Local non-profits and community organizations
- RSVP at https://springfield-cbo-session.eventbrite.com
- April 26 – Lincoln Library Carnegie Room North, 326 S. 7th St., Springfield, IL 62701 (parking available in garage underneath Lincoln Library) – 6-7 p.m. – Agenda
- Residents
- RSVP at https://springfield-session.eventbrite.com
- April 25 – Macon County Extension Office Illini Room, 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., Decatur, IL 62521 (parking on either side of building) – 5-6 p.m. – Agenda
- West Central Region – May 3
- May 3 – Macomb City Hall Community Room, 232 East Jackson St, Macomb, IL 61455 – 12-1 p.m. – Agenda
- Residents and local organizations
- RSVP at https://macomb-session-1.eventbrite.com
- May 3 – Macomb City Hall Community Room, 232 East Jackson St, Macomb, IL 61455 – 6-7 p.m. – Agenda
- Residents and local organizations
- RSVP at https://macomb-session-2.eventbrite.com
- May 3 – Macomb City Hall Community Room, 232 East Jackson St, Macomb, IL 61455 – 12-1 p.m. – Agenda
- Chicago (Pt 2) – May 3
- May 3 – Steinmetz College Prep, 3030 N Mobile Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 – 6-7 p.m. – Agenda
- Residents
- RSVP at https://chi-session-nw.eventbrite.com
- May 3 – Steinmetz College Prep, 3030 N Mobile Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 – 6-7 p.m. – Agenda
- Northwest Region – Week of May 8
- May 9 – Western Illinois University Quad Cities Riverfront Hall Room 103/104, 3300 River Drive, Moline – 3:30pm-4:30pm
- Residents, non-profits, community-based organizations
- RSVP: https://moline-session.eventbrite.com
- May 10 – Morrison Institute of Technology, 701 Portland Ave, Morrison, IL 61270 – 5-6 p.m.
- Local Government
- RSVP Abby Ottenhoff | abby@ao-strategies.com
- May 10 – Morrison Institute of Technology, 701 Portland Ave, Morrison, IL 61270 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Residents, non-profits, community-based organizations
- RSVP: https://morrison-session.eventbrite.com
- May 9 – Western Illinois University Quad Cities Riverfront Hall Room 103/104, 3300 River Drive, Moline – 3:30pm-4:30pm
- Chicago (Pt 3) – May 10
- May 10 – Chicago Urban League, 4510 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60653
- Residents, non-profits, community-based organizations
- RSVP at https://chi-session-s.eventbrite.com
- May 10 – Chicago Urban League, 4510 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60653
- North Central Region – Week of May 15
- May 16 – Milner Library – 201 N School St, Normal, IL 61761 – 5-6 p.m.
- Local Government
- RSVP Abby Ottenhoff | abby@ao-strategies.com
- May 16 – Milner Library – 201 N School St, Normal, IL 61761 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Residents, non-profits, community-based organizations
- May 17 – Manual High School, 811 S Griswold St., Peoria, Il 61605 – 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Residents, non-profits, community-based organizations
- RSVP at https://peoria-session1.eventbrite.com
- May 17 – Glen Oak School, 2100 N Wisconsin Ave, Peoria, IL 61603 – 6-7 p.m.
- Residents, non-profits, community-based organizations
- RSVP at https://peoria-session2.eventbrite.com
- May 16 – Milner Library – 201 N School St, Normal, IL 61761 – 5-6 p.m.
- Aurora — May 18
- May 18 – Waubonsee Community College, 18 S. River St, Aurora, IL 60506 – 6-7:30 p.m.
- Residents, non-profits, community-based organizations
- May 18 – Waubonsee Community College, 18 S. River St, Aurora, IL 60506 – 6-7:30 p.m.
- Northern Stateline & Collar Counties – Week of May 22
- May 23 — Rockford Public Library’s Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St – 12-1:00 p.m.
- Residents, nonprofits, community-based organizations
- RSVP at https://rockford-session.eventbrite.com
- May 23 — Region 1 Planning Council, 127 N Wyman St Suite 100, Rockford, IL 61101 3:30 – 4:15 pm
- Local government and public entities
- RSVP: Abby Ottenhoff | abby@ao-strategies.com
- May 24 — Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 | 2—2:45 p.m.
- Local Government & Public Entities
- RSVP: Abby Ottenhoff | abby@ao-strategies.com
- May 24 — Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 | 3—4 p.m.
- Residents, nonprofits, & community-based organizations
- RSVP at https://lakecounty-session.eventbrite.com
- May 25 – Kankakee Public Library Auditorium, 201 E Merchant St, Kankakee, IL 60901 | 4 — 4:45 p.m.
- Local Government & Public Entities
- RSVP: Abby Ottenhoff | abby@ao-strategies.com
- May 25 – Kankakee Public Library Auditorium, 201 E Merchant St, Kankakee, IL 60901 | 5 — 6 p.m.
- Residents, nonprofits, & community-based organizations
- May 31 – Joliet City Council Chambers, 150 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60432 | 2—3 p.m.
- Public listening session focused on accessibility needs related to digital equity
- RSVP at https://joliet-session1.eventbrite.com
- May 31 — Joliet City Council Chambers, 150 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60432 | 3:15—3:50 p.m.
- Local Government & Public Entities
- RSVP: Abby Ottenhoff | abby@ao-strategies.com
- May 31 – Joliet City Council Chambers, 150 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60432 | 4—5 p.m.
- Residents, nonprofits, & community-based organizations
- RSVP at https://joliet-session2.eventbrite.com/
- May 23 — Rockford Public Library’s Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St – 12-1:00 p.m.
Virtual Listening Sessions
Sessions will be held virtually to accommodate people who may not be able to join in-person events.
- Southwest region – March 15
- Local government officials – 1-1:45 p.m.
- Statewide: Virtual Listening Session for Residents (in English) – May 4 6-7 p.m.
- Residents (in English) | RSVP
- Statewide: Virtual Listening Session for ISPs and Businesses – May 5 12-1 p.m.
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- ISPs and Businesses | RSVP
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- Statewide: Virtual Listening Session for Nonprofits – May 9 3-4 p.m.
- Nonprofits | RSVP
- Statewide: Virtual Listening Session for Residents (in Spanish) – May 23 6-7 p.m.
- Residents (in Spanish) | RSVP
Survey
- Illinois Broadband Lab All Stakeholder Survey: https://www.surveys.online/jfe/form/SV_067FCzNMlPHK5cq
- Online survey available to you to share your broadband needs and barriers to accessing reliable broadband
- Individuals, non-profits, community organizations, businesses, and service providers are welcome to respond
Newsletter
Bi-weekly updates on the outreach efforts across the state and Illinois’s BEAD and DE plan submission progress.
Additional Resources
- Illinois Office of Broadband Programming Dashboard
- The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions – Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
- Digital Equity Act (DEA) Programs Overview
- Broadband Expansion – Connect Illinois
- FCC National Broadband Map
- NTIA – Broadband 101
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance
- U.S. Department of Agriculture ReConnect Loan and Grant Program