Benton Bashes Ill. Broadband Bill
An Illinois broadband bill proposes constraints on using federal infrastructure dollars “that fly in the face of the clear language of federal law,” the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s Kevin Taglang blogged Friday. If it enacts SB-3683, Illinois risks…
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losing its chance for broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), said Taglang. The state bill would eliminate anchor eligibility for anchor institutions as required by the federal law, and would improperly narrow possible competitors for grants, including by restricting municipal networks, he said. Among other problems, the proposed state law could fund projects that don’t meet IIJA-required standards and “be read to negate” the requirement to provide low-cost broadband service options, he said. NATOA urged NTIA to discourage state limits on muni broadband (see 2203110048). SB-3683 sponsor Sen. Patrick Joyce (D) didn't comment by our deadline.