
A measure recently introduced by a bipartisan group of Illinois senators seeks to fund that infrastructure for the approximately 100 school districts without high-speed internet access. Senators Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), Sam McCann (R-Plainview), and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) have proposed legislation to set aside $16.3 million from the School Infrastructure Fund to pay for the cost of installing fiber optic cable to deliver high-speed internet to rural schools. The state money would be matched nearly three to one with federal dollars to cover installation costs that range from $75,000 to $420,000 per district.

They say their high-speed internet proposal directly aligns with the Illinois Vision 20/20 priority of providing 21st Century Learning. The Vision 20/20 policy goal is to provide high speed internet connectivity to every school and community that meets the State Educational Technology Directors Association’s internet connection recommendations to ensure adequacy and equity for every student.