Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the State of Illinois has been approved to receive $1.04 billion in funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to support high-speed internet access statewide. The funding will connect approximately 350,000 residents through homes, businesses, and community institutions across Illinois by 2031. Between private investment, prior public funding, and new BEAD funding, the total broadband investment will exceed $2 billion.
Illinois fought for months to obtain federal approval of its BEAD application, which was originally submitted in September 2025. Despite the federal policy committing to completing application reviews within 90 days of submission, Illinois waited almost one year to secure this critical funding. During this time, the Pritzker administration continually urged the federal government to approve the funding, warning that hundreds of construction projects were ready to move forward but remain stalled delaying access for thousands of Illinoisans – many of them in rural communities.
“Thanks to our hard work to secure BEAD funding that had been held hostage by the Trump administration, communities all across Illinois will finally be able to access the high-quality internet they need to thrive in the digital age,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “From telehealth to online education to career opportunities, this announcement will open doors of opportunity for families, schools, farmers, students, and small businesses all over the state.”
“In 2026, Illinoisans rely on high-speed internet for telehealth, virtual learning, staying connected to loved ones, and job opportunities, but for many families, broadband access is unaffordable,” said Senator Durbin. “Today’s announcement, that Illinois’ BEAD Program will receive $1 billion in federal funding, is a historic investment in closing the digital divide, putting internet access within reach for thousands of Illinoisans.”
“Access to reliable broadband is not only critical to Illinois’ economic development, but also essential to tackling the digital divide across the state,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This funding will support the continued efforts of Connect Illinois to ensure all Illinoisans have the digital access needed to actively participate and thrive in the state’s modern economy.”
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.
“Partnering with the Illinois Office of Broadband through its Connect Illinois grant program to build fiber broadband to the last rural mile will enable infrastructure that will power our rural economies for decades to come. Shelby Electric Cooperative had deploying fiber in downstate Illinois on its strategic roadmap, but without the essential grants in the capital mix, it would not have been possible. Homes, farms, schools, small businesses, and our community anchor institutions, as well as the Cooperative and its members, stand to benefit greatly from this partnership,” said Josh Shallenberger, President/CEO, Shelby Electric Cooperative and Broadband Advisory Council Member.
“JCE Co-op was founded in 1939 through a grassroots effort by area farmers to bring electricity and life-changing services to their homes and farms. Continuing that tradition, JCE Co-op and its members are thankful for the Connect Illinois grant program, which will help thousands of unserved and underserved homes, farms, and small businesses gain access to high-speed fiber internet. This initiative is about more than just faster internet and being connected; it's also about empowering our communities and fostering economic growth," said Mike Casper, President & CEO of JCE Co-op.
“Crossville Telephone Company is very thankful to be a part of the Connect Illinois grant program. This grant is allowing our company to provide a quality, future proof fiber network in our rural service area. The residents of rural Southern Illinois should have the same opportunities for quality broadband service as any other resident in the state of Illinois. Our company has served the Crossville area for over 100 years. Connect Illinois will allow us to continue to invest in our local community. Crossville Communications is working to improve the lifestyle afforded to members of our community. We hope to attract new business by offering high speed broadband in our service area. These improvements would not be possible without the Illinois Office of Broadband and the Connect Illinois program,” said Chris Birkla, General Manager, Crossville Telephone Company.
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly launched the state’s push toward universal broadband access in 2019, investing $420 million through the Rebuild Illinois capital plan and establishing the Illinois Office of Broadband (IOB), housed within DCEO. Connect Illinois is administered by the IOB with support from the Illinois Broadband Lab, part of the University of Illinois System. The initiative is an important component of both Rebuild Illinois and Illinois' Economic Growth Plan, with the goal of achieving universal coverage statewide. Grantees funded through the program include a mix of local governments and internet service providers from across Illinois delivering high-speed internet to urban, suburban, and rural areas alike.
