25-03-2025
What to know about round 2 of Peoria County's Digital Equity program
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A second round of applications for low-cost or no-cost internet access to eligible low-income households will begin next month.
Peoria County started its Digital Equity pilot program last year with a $125,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.
Peoria County Board approves equity program to bridge 'digital divide'
The sign-up period for the program is open from April 1 to April 27. After applications are received and reviewed, the goal is to have all households connected and receiving service by June 1.
Peoria County residents who are interested in applying can review the full eligibility requirements and submit an application online.
The pilot program will run for 12 months and is available to county households, who currently do not have internet access. Participants will be selected via a lottery system, with priority given to those with lower area median incomes.
Peoria County will cover the full cost of broadband service for one year, with payments made directly to the service providers.
For years, the county has known there is a gap in the ability to get access to high-speed internet. Some areas simply don't have the infrastructure. In other areas, residents either can't afford it or if they can, they get the cheapest level which doesn't provide adequate coverage.
And it's the latter that this program will address, Andre Allen, the county's diversity, equity and inclusion officer, told WMBD last year. He wants people to be able to afford and to have the access to the internet that they need and what's appropriate for their families.
The pilot program, funded through the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Peoria Democrat, is to be spread as evenly as possible across all 18 districts. In August, Allen estimated that about 400 families could get some type of assistance from the program.
'The Digital Equity Pilot reflects Peoria County's commitment to addressing inequities in digital access,' Allen said. 'By working together with broadband providers, we're able to offer a critical resource to underserved households across Peoria County. We look forward to seeing the impact this program will have over the next year.'
For additional information, please contact Brittany Graves at (309) 495-4666 or via email at bgraves@
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