NW Illinois News

Community organizations, businesses and households that are in need internet access are being encouraged to apply for the Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program.

State Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills, announced that the program is currently taking applications in a Sept. 2 Facebook post. 

"The Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program is now accepting applications," Stoller wrote in the post. "The program seeks to expand broadband access for Illinois homes, businesses and community anchor institutions. Potential applications include businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, school districts and local governments. Proposals covering unserved and/or underserved areas are eligible for Connect Illinois grant funding."

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity posted grant information on its website back in January. It appears awarded can be granted up to $10,000,000. The program has about $350,000,000 in allocated funding. 

Connect Illinois is the wider name for a number of broadband-related initiatives. In addition to The Illinois Broadband Grant Program, it also includes The Illinois Century Network, Broadband Advisory Council and Illinois K-12 Broadband Initiative. 

Stoller was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2021. According to the Senate website, his legislative experience includes serving on the Environment and Conservation Committee and Senate Higher Education Committee.