Illinois' Commerce Department Is Setting a Broadband Standard
In Illinois, the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is the parent agency of the Office of Broadband. The office is the single administrator for broadband grants and programs. It runs Connect Illinois, an ambitious program to provide “ubiquitous statewide broadband access.”
By 2024, the state seeks to provide every home with “basic” broadband access that offers download/upload speeds of 25/3 megabits per second. By 2028, it seeks to expand that universal access to “high-speed broadband” with service speeds of 100/20Mbps. (Both measures are federal standards.)
The Connect Illinois program receives guidance from a 25-member Broadband Advisory Council consisting of internet service providers, state officials and legislators, and other broadband stakeholders. Within the council, five working groups tackle distinct challenges related to access, economic development, education, infrastructure and technology, and telehealth. The Illinois CTO sits on the council.
DIVE DEEPER: How to remember digital equity as broadband expands.
How Nevada's Officials are Leading the Way
In Nevada, the broadband program office sits within the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology. The office manages a new program called High Speed NV, which aims to provide universal broadband access throughout the state by 2029, capitalizing on state and federal funding (including IIJA and ARPA grants).
The office receives guidance from the Nevada Telecommunications Advisory Council, which seeks input from telecommunications providers and Nevada residents. It then works with the Nevada Department of Transportation to clear physical access for telecommunications firms to build infrastructure.
A chief IT manager who works for the state CIO at Nevada Enterprise Information Technology Services serves on the council.