Illinois Statutes Chapter 220. Utilities § 81/4-5. Findings

(1) that on November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law by President Biden, which provides for historic levels of investment in the nation's infrastructure;

(2) that the United States government has made available $550,000,000,000 for new infrastructure investment for state and local governments through the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act;

(3) that it is essential that this State not lose out on funding made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act;

(4) that investments in this State's bridges, roads, highways, rail system, high-speed internet, and electricity are essential to the public safety, economic viability, and equity of all citizens in every part of this State;

(5) that an important component of infrastructure in the 21st century is access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet;

(6) that the persistent digital divide in this State is a barrier to the economic competitiveness in the economic distribution of essential public services, including health care and education; and

(7) that the digital divide disproportionately affects communities of color, lower-income areas, and rural areas, and the benefits of broadband should be broadly enjoyed by all citizens of this State.