Macon Reporter

In an April 6 Facebook post, Sen. Doris Turner shared info on meetings for individuals to give input on the state's plans for digital equity.

“Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) wants to hear YOUR perspective on internet connectivity and digital learning to help shape the state’s plans for digital equity,” she wrote. “I encourage Springfield and Decatur residents to attend the upcoming public meetings. Details below Decatur residents: Tuesday, April 25 from 5-6 p.m. Macon County Extension Office - Illini Room, 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd. in Decatur RSVP at https://decatur-session.eventbrite.com/ Springfield residents: Wednesday, April 26 from 6-7 p.m. Lincoln Library - Carnegie Room North, 326 S. 7th Street in Springfield RSVP at https://springfield-session.eventbrite.com/”

DCEO noted Governor J.B. Pritzker began his Connect Illinois, an effort to increase internet accessibility in the state, back in 2019.

Turner was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2021. A Democrat, their legislative experience includes serving on the Agriculture Committee and State Government Committee. Turner is a state senator who resides in Springfield, according to the Illinois Senate.

"This $420 million investment in broadband is the fulfillment of one of my first meetings with Governor Pritzker regarding rural development," John Sullivan, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said in a release. "These capital dollars will make enormous improvements in internet service to rural areas of the state—helping farmers, small business owners and individual homeowners."

The Illinois Broadband Lab is hosting a variety of information-gathering sessions to find out what Illinois residents want for broadband access, and how they can work toward equity in access to that broadband access. Funding from The Illinois Office of Broadband (IOB) is launching a comprehensive local coordination effort to gather input for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity (DE) programs is funding this work.

Chicago Sun-Times reported President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan’s Captial Projects Fund allocated $253.7 million to boost the state’s broadband infrastructure.

Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Theresa Eagleson said having access to the internet ensures access to telehealth.

"For so many rural and underserved areas, telehealth means access to comprehensive healthcare, which can be as important as solid and well-maintained roads," Eagleson said in a release. "For those facing behavioral health challenges, telehealth can be especially vital. As the largest provider of healthcare insurance in Illinois, we look forward to actively advancing the mission of this council so that all our members can be better served."

In her post, Turner shared a link to the second of the two meetings, on April 26. The meeting is from 6-7 p.m., in the Lincoln Library, L 326 South 7th Street Carnegie Room North Springfield.