December 12, 2023
New Broadband Internet Action Plan Green Lit by Lake County Board
Lake County is moving forward to address challenges with broadband internet access, affordability, and adoption throughout the county. At its December 12 meeting, the Lake County Board adopted its first-ever Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan to close the digital divide in Lake County.
Earlier this year, the Lake County Board appropriated American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds to proceed with the plan development, with additional funds appropriated to execute the plan. The action plan is designed to expand countywide access to reliable, high-speed broadband infrastructure, remove barriers to affordable internet, device access, and digital skills training, and build an ecosystem of local partners to drive digital inclusion efforts.
This plan incorporates input collected directly from Lake County residents and stakeholders. In September, Lake County held a community session that offered the opportunity for residents to work together and provide input in small groups.
"We thank the community and our local partners for sharing their input over the past six months on this important initiative," said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. "The Special Committee on Broadband and our dedicated County staff have put a tremendous amount of time and effort into this plan, and we look forward to implementing it to address the challenges associated with digital equity and broadband in our county."
Earlier this year, Lake County launched the Lake County Digital Growth Initiative to better understand the current state of high-speed internet service and digital equity in the county and implement solutions for improvement. More than 19,000 households, which accounts for about 8 percent of Lake County, do not have any type of broadband subscription, including through a cell phone plan.
The Lake County Board has advocated nationally on initiatives such as the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that brings affordable high-speed internet and digital equity to residents in need. Jennifer Clark, Lake County Board Member and Special Committee on Broadband Chair, was recently featured and quoted in an article by the National Association of Counties (NACo) about extending the ACP and serves as a Vice Chair on NACo's Telecommunications and Technology Steering Committee.
"More than 72,000 households in Lake County are estimated to be eligible for the ACP," said Clark. "It's important that we continue to support our county's eligible residents and families to ensure they are aware of this program, and have the help to enroll so they have the ability to work from home, go to school, apply for jobs, access healthcare, schedule appointments and continue to be an integral part of the economy and community."
The Lake County Digital Equity Action Plan along with more information about the Lake County Digital Growth Initiative can be found at lakecountyil.gov/broadband.
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