IL HB5752

Establishes the Broadband Advisory Council housed within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to develop policies promoting broadband expansion and adoption across Illinois.

Council consists of 21 voting members including state agency directors, representatives from broadband providers (incumbent carriers, wireless, cable, satellite), electric cooperatives, municipalities, libraries, and public housing authorities, plus 4 non-voting legislative appointees.

Council must explore ways to expand broadband availability using all technologies, identify and eliminate adoption barriers through digital literacy and accessibility programs, and assess broadband availability for low-income households.

Council shall advise the Governor and General Assembly on bringing broadband to unserved areas, facilitating citizen adoption, and propose statutory changes to enhance broadband expansion in Illinois.

Council must file annual reports to the General Assembly by January 1 each year detailing actions taken and shall publish updated Federal Communications Commission broadband data rates in the Illinois Register within 60 days of federal updates.