Section 548.10  Purpose

This part implements the Broadband Infrastructure Advancement Act. Investments in the State’s bridges, roads, rail system, high-speed internet, and electricity are essential to the public safety, economic viability, and equity of all citizens in every part of Illinois. The persistent digital divide in Illinois is a barrier to the economic competitiveness in the economic distribution of essential public services, including health care and education. This digital divide disproportionately affects communities of color, lower-income areas, and rural areas. The purpose of the Broadband Infrastructure Advancement Act is to establish in administrative rule the Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program, creating added certainty in advance of federal funding available to the State through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021; provided however, that nothing in this Part shall apply or be constructed to apply to any broadband grant application process or broadband project for which any funding is or may be provided by or pursuant to Division F of the federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-58).