Illinois Valley Times

Homes, businesses and organizations in need of high-speed internet are encouraged to apply for grant funding under the Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program. 

State Sen. Win Stoller, R-Germantown Hills, announced that Illinois was currently accepting applications for the program 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."

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

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity originally published the grant availability on its website at the beginning of 2022. Awards range up to $10,000,000, and the program is funded up $350,000,000.

Connect Illinois includes a variety of broadband-related initiatives aimed at improving access to the internet statewide. Other programs include Illinois Century Network, Broadband Advisory Council and Illinois K-12 Broadband Initiative.