Senator Joyce defends rural high-speed internet access (Kankakee, IL) – To ensure all Illinois residents have access to high-speed internet, State Senator Patrick Joyce is working to ensure that federal funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program are used to ensure all Illinois residents have access to high-speed internet. played an important role in ensuring that efficiently.
“Access to high-speed internet is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity in today’s digital age,” said Mr. Joyce (D-Essex). “From education to health care to economic opportunity, reliable internet access is essential for all communities, including rural areas.”
The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021 includes $42.45 billion for the BEAD program in an effort to connect every American home, small business, and community anchor institution to high-speed internet. Approximately $1 billion in BEAD funding has been allocated to Illinois to provide Internet access to approximately 230,000 entities in the state that do not have access to at least 100/20 Mbps service or 1/1 Gbps service.
Joyce remains committed to ensuring Illinois residents have access to high-speed internet, especially those in underserved areas. In 2022, he supported a measure that would allow public input on where broadband funding is best allocated.
Last month, Illinois began the BEAD Map Challenge process. By testing their internet speeds, Illinoisans can help correct inaccuracies in the state’s broadband map and reflect the latest broadband access across the state. The updated map will determine which locations will be eligible for funding through her BEAD program.
“It’s been difficult for our rural and rural communities to enjoy the same kind of internet connectivity as our more populated areas,” Joyce said. “We’re encouraging communities with unstable internet to participate in the map challenge phase before Monday’s deadline so we can give all communities a chance to grant faster access.”
To participate in this phase, nonprofits, local governments, and internet service providers can submit challenges using the BEAD Challenge Portal, and residents can participate at BEADchallenge.org. Challenges can be submitted until today, March 18th at 11:59pm.
Senator Joyce defends rural high-speed internet access
