(220 ILCS 80/30)

Sec. 30. Illinois Century Network Study.

(a) The Council shall study the feasibility of connecting all Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities to the Illinois Century Network by January 1, 2030. The purpose and scope of the study is limited to connecting all public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities to the Illinois Century Network, with a goal to give all public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional institutions or facilities access to reliable, gigabit-level broadband service by January 1, 2030. The Office of Broadband within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall support and assist the Council in the development of the study.

(b) The feasibility study required under subsection (a) shall explore:

(1) efforts among other states and units of local government to connect public schools, public libraries, and correctional facilities to a public broadband service;

(2) the current state of broadband service connection for all public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities, including connection speeds, type of technology, and whether the network is serviced by the Illinois Century Network currently;

(3) models for expanding the Illinois Century Network solely for the purpose of connecting all Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities;

(4) the resources necessary to expand the Illinois Century Network across the State of Illinois to all Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities;

(5) the benefits of the Illinois Century Network in Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities;

(6) potential sources of funding for the expansion of the Illinois Century Network to Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities;

(7) additional staff and contracting needs that would be necessary to expand the Illinois Century Network to all Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities;

(8) options for partnering with units of local government in Illinois that have taken steps toward offering public broadband service for the purpose of connecting all Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities to the Illinois Century Network; and

(9) any other factors that are necessary for the exploration of the feasibility of expanding the Illinois Century Network to all Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional facilities.

The feasibility study shall offer recommendations based on the results of the study and shall offer options for the expansion of the Illinois Century Network, including a timeline, staffing needs, financial resources needed, and suggested rates for broadband service.

(c) The Council shall issue a report on its findings, recommendations, options for expansion, and any recommended legislation to the General Assembly by January 1, 2024.

(Source: P.A. 103-483, eff. 8-4-23.)