Lake County Gazette

The Lake County Board has adopted a Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan aimed at bridging the digital divide within the county. The plan was developed using funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), which were allocated earlier this year.

According to a Lake County press release, the Board's strategy is designed to broaden access to reliable, high-speed broadband infrastructure across the county. It also aims to eliminate obstacles to affordable internet, device access, and digital skills training. Furthermore, it seeks to create an ecosystem of local partners to drive digital inclusion initiatives.

Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart expressed her anticipation for the plan's implementation. "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," Hart said.

The Lake County press release also noted that input from county residents and stakeholders was incorporated into the plan. As part of this process, the Lake County Digital Growth Initiative was launched to assess the current state of high-speed Internet service and digital equity in the county. The findings revealed that more than 19,000 households - representing 8% of Lake County - lack any form of broadband subscription, including through a cell phone plan.

In response to these findings, according to another Lake County press release, the Board supports initiatives like the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. This program aims to provide affordable high-speed internet and promote digital equity among residents in need. More information about the Lake County Digital Equity Action Plan and the Lake County Digital Growth Initiative can be found at lakecountyil.gov/broadband.