Statewide projects:

Illinois Century Network

backbone%20and%20tele%20demo.pdf

Commerce Commission

DIGITAL DIVIDE ELIMINATION INFRASTRUCTURE FUND (DDIEF) GRANTS

The DDIEF was established as part of Illinois’ 2001 telecom reform package and was intended to subsidize advanced telecom infrastructure in rural areas of the state. The original eligibility requirements were viewed by some as overly restrictive – only companies that had been waived of the responsibility for providing advanced telecommunications services could apply.  As a result, two years after the fund was created, no grants had been awarded. 

In 2003 Senate Bill 553 sponsored by Sen. Harmon and Rep. Howard eased the fund's eligibility requirements.  High-speed internet providers are eligible if the community in which they are building meets following three criteria:

·        the ICC determines that advanced telecommunications services are under-provided to residential or business users;

·        the community has a low population density; and,

·        the community lacks a competitive market for advanced technology.

2007 RECIPIENTS:

Illinois Deaf Broadband Access Task Force

http://www.idhhc.state.il.us/familyInfo/demographics.htm

Deaf+BB+Access2.ppt

Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

2008 DIGITAL DIVIDE GRANT -- APPLICATION DUE FEB. 15

ELIMINATE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE GRANTS

2007 Recipient List

Eliminate the Digital Divide grants, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), fund technology centers in low-income communities in order to provide technology skills training and access to computers and the Internet.

 Contact: John Barr, DCEO  

Computer Technology Committee

ILLINOIS TOLL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY- FIBER OPTIC LEASING PROGRAM

Illinois Tollway began installing fiber optic cable systems along its entire roadway corridor dating back to 1997.  While Illinois Tollway does not lease bandwidth, it does lease empty duct space and or dark fiber.  The typical lease will be for a period of 10-20 years with a 3rd pary making payments up front, with responsibility for annual routine maintenance payments.

Electric Cooperatives

Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative

Dial-up service was available in 1996 through the coop. Today wireless broadband is available at $20/month for members and $35/month for non members. Customers have to be within seven miles and within the line of sight of the wireless antennas.

Contact: Sean Middleton

Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative

Serves 62 communities representing 230,000 households. Wireless broadband is being made available to these customers through a partnership with Conxxus and USA Broadband.

The cooperative received broadband grant funding from the Illinois Commerce Commission and a broadband loan from the USDA Rural Utilities Service.

Contact: David Champion

Emergency Communications Grant

PUBLIC SAFETY INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS GRANTS (PSIC)

Announced 12/06/07-

10 grants totaling $18 million will help fire, police and other first responders in strategic locations throughout Illinois upgrade their communications systems to improve interoperability.  The grants are part of a $36.4 million distribution received from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to support state interoperabel communications projects.

Current PSIC recipients as follows:

- Prairie Shield (jurisdictions within McHenry, Winnebago, Ogle, DeKalb, Boone and Stephenson counties)

- St. Clair County (jurisdictions within St. Claire, Madison, Bond, Clinton, and Monroe Counties)

- CIREN Central Illinois Regional Emergency Network (jurisdictions within Sangamon, Macon, and Champaign counties)

- Salem (jurisdictions within Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, and Marion counties)

- RED (Regional Emergency Dispatch) Center (jurisdictions  within Lake county)

- NICC (Northern Illinois Communications Consortium) jurisdictions within Lake, DuPage, Kane and Will counties

- DuPage county

- Moline (jurisdictions within Rock Island and Henry counties and Scott County-IA)

- Peoria (jurisdictions within Peoria, Fulton, Woodford, Tazewell and Knox counties)

- Lake county

Illinois State Police

Announced 12/5/07

Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Microsoft Corporation have announced a joint effort to create a program that will help law enforcement agencies use the latest computer technology, enhancing homeland security and improve crime fighting in Illinois, as well as across the country.  "FusionX," as it is called, creates an information fusion center with operations needed to support the fight against terrorism, organized crime, including drug trafficking, and for delivering support for hazardous missions including planning, prevention and response.  FusionX will lead to a groundbreaking model for the Illinois Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center, and that will also enhance collaboration among federal, state and local organizations.

Municipal Utilities

MUNICIPAL BROABDAND

15 munis offering or planning broadband services

Illinois Municipal Broadband Communications Association

Mission: To provide education, skill sharing, and resource support to Illinois Municipalities interested in broadband services.

A non-for-profit association for Illinois municipalities and others interested in sharing information and resources about broadband services.

Presently each of the members owns and operates its own electric utility though that is not a requirement for membership.

Meets quarterly in February, May, August, and November.

Contact: Peter Collins

Wireless Rest Stops

Technology Immersion Pilot Project (TIPP)

In the first year of TIPP (2007), more than 2200 students as well as 300 teachers and administrators in 17 Illinois schools received laptop or tablet PCs for use at home and school. Early reports from year one of the pilot program show the laptops have had a positive impact on teachers and students.

ISBE's TIPP page

Contact: Faith Bishop

Telepsychiatry

Contact:

Marion Jones

Rural HealthNet 

IRHN+FCC+GRANT+APP.pdf

Telephone Cooperatives 

http://www.batchgeocode.com/map/?i=ebfa0c328212d9067fb77c4e7f1c4f96

Toll Highway Authority

FIBER

WIRELESS OASES

Oases operator Wilton Partners is providing free wifi service as part of its contact with the IL State Toll Highway Authority.

Wifi is now available at the following oases:

• Lake Forest (Tri-state I-94/294/80)
• O'Hare (Tri-state I-94/294/80)
• Hinsdale (Tri-state I-94/294/80)
• Chicago Southland Lincoln (Tri-state I-94/294/80)
• Belvidere (Northwest I-90)
• Des PLaines (Northwest I-90)
• DeKalb (Regan Memorial I-88)