URBANA, Ill. - The Illinois Office of Broadband recently opened the application window for the first $50 million in funding through the country’s largest competitive matching grant program, Connect Illinois, which will funnel a total of $420 million to extend critical high-speed internet access to homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions throughout the state. In collaboration with Illinois Extension, the office will continue to host a series of webinars to help potential applicants and other stakeholders understand the Connect Illinois program and the current funding round. 

A recording of the Connect Illinois Grant Program for Broadband Infrastructure (Part 1) from February 13 is available for view here.

The next two webinars will be on Friday, February 21 (Part 2) and Friday, February 28 (Part 3), both at 2 PM CST.

• Friday, February 21: The Connect Illinois Broadband Grant program entails a through application process to ensure that the best proposals receive funding. The application materials include an “Application Packet” that outlines required application content and provides instructions and templates designed to facilitate the application process. This webinar will discuss the “Application Packet” and how applicants should be incorporating it into their proposals.

• Friday, February 28: The Connect Illinois Broadband Grant program includes an opportunity for applicants and other stakeholders to challenge the accuracy of program eligibility maps – and for incumbent providers to offer additional information regarding future deployment plans. This webinar will discuss how this challenge process in intended to work. We may revisit important points from the first two webinars as time allows.

These are free and open to the public. REGISTRATION is required. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Nancy Ouedraogo at esarey@illinois.edu.