SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State leaders say they are committed to ending the digital divide in Illinois. A key part of that goal is expanding broadband access to every corner of the state.

Roughly 234,000 Illinoisans are unserved and lack access to basic broadband service. However, about 132,000 people live in underserved locations across the state.

"How are we going to reach 100% coverage for all Illinoisans? That's a really big hurdle," said Greg Claus with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. "This is the first time a grant program has been set up to connect all homes and businesses."

The Pritzker administration launched the effort to expand broadband access in 2019 through a capital investment from the Rebuild Illinois program. Lawmakers know the administration set aside $400 million for the broadband expansion, but they are quickly learning that costs could rise up to $1 billion.

This comes over two years since former Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) sponsored a law to create a voucher program to help families and small businesses pay for internet.

"Nothing has happened since we passed this piece of legislation," Mayfield said Tuesday. "I want to know what is DCEO planning to do. What is your timeline and how soon can we start pushing this money out the door? I don't want to keep kicking this can down the road because it is not helping our children."

Lawmakers also have to think about the best option for internet speed. The FCC adopted a benchmark of 25/3 megabits per second in 2015. That means people have been using 25 megabits per second whenever they download something and 3 megabits per second to upload information.

"If you're using connected devices for multiple things at the same time, 25/3 is wildly insufficient," said Matt Schmit, director of the Illinois Office of Broadband. "That's why first the U.S. Department of Treasury set a higher standard and now NTIA has set a higher standard of 100/20."

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration expects Illinois can start construction of new broadband pipes for underserved communities in 2025. They told state lawmakers that construction could possibly be completed by 2030. 

"If we only look at fiber-optic [internet] as a way to do things, all of a sudden we'll get to the end of the funding and even though the aspirational goal is 100% coverage, the money is limited," said Sen. Dave Koehler.

The Peoria Democrat said he would like the state to move forward with the most cost-effective options for broadband. While fiber-optics may work best in some areas of the state, Koehler said Illinois could look at implementing a fixed wireless internet plan in urban communities.

The Illinois Budget Oversight Commission plans to discuss the long-term broadband plans several times in the coming months.

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