Illinois state ag director pushes for widened rural internet access
While most of us can’t imagine going one day or even one hour without access to high-speed internet, internet options in rural areas are often few and far between.
“How can farmers run their small business without high-speed internet service? We have internet in rural areas, but it’s not adequate to run today’s technology,” Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan said. Sullivan was the keynote speaker during the Kankakee County Farm Bureau and Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Reception Friday at the Kankakee Country Club.
Sullivan, who has been involved in agriculture his entire life, was a partner in his family’s real estate business and auction business for 20 years and served as an Illinois state senator representing the 47th Senate District from 2003-17. Sullivan was appointed IDA director by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and took office in January of this year.
After taking office, one of Sullivan’s top priorities was access to broadband internet service in rural areas.
Sullivan met with internet providers, farm bureau members and others with a vested interest in broadband internet service. Sullivan noted there are vast areas in Illinois that need internet service upgrades. To help provide greater service, the general assembly passed a capital bill, Connect Illinois, with $420 million for broadband service across Illinois. The program, endorsed by Pritzker, will provide $400 million for statewide broadband expansion and $20 million to the Illinois Century Network for schools, libraries, museums and local government entities.
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“How can farmers run their small business without high-speed internet service? We have internet in rural areas, but it’s not adequate to run today’s technology,” Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan said. Sullivan was the keynote speaker during the Kankakee County Farm Bureau and Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Reception Friday at the Kankakee Country Club.
Sullivan, who has been involved in agriculture his entire life, was a partner in his family’s real estate business and auction business for 20 years and served as an Illinois state senator representing the 47th Senate District from 2003-17. Sullivan was appointed IDA director by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and took office in January of this year.
After taking office, one of Sullivan’s top priorities was access to broadband internet service in rural areas.
Sullivan met with internet providers, farm bureau members and others with a vested interest in broadband internet service. Sullivan noted there are vast areas in Illinois that need internet service upgrades. To help provide greater service, the general assembly passed a capital bill, Connect Illinois, with $420 million for broadband service across Illinois. The program, endorsed by Pritzker, will provide $400 million for statewide broadband expansion and $20 million to the Illinois Century Network for schools, libraries, museums and local government entities.
Click Here to read more