Federal Broadband

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) included over $1.3 billion in federal support for the Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program and related digital equity initiatives. This page will include regular updates on the planning, preparation, and progress underway in advance of historic state-federal collaboration to eliminate the digital divide. All of this work is data driven, applying sophisticated analytics on current conditions and key findings from our ambitious 54-stop statewide listening tour.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program (IIJA)

• Five-Year Action Plan
• Initial Proposal, Volume 1 | BEAD Location/CAI Identification & Challenge Process
• Initial Proposal, Volume 2 | BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process
• Provide Comment to Initial Proposal, Volume 1 or 2
  Please submit via smartsheet link above by 5pm CT on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.  

Digital Equity (DE) Capacity Grant Program (IIJA)

• State Digital Equity Plan (expected Jan 2024)

Capital Projects Fund (CPF, ARPA)

• 2023 Annual Performance Report

Formal public comment soon will open regarding the Initial Proposal and State Digital Equity Plan, respectively. Please refer to this page for updates regarding draft content, timelines, and procedures. Questions can be directed to broadband@illinois.gov.