Travis McGlasson, Chairman of the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission, warned U.S. Senator Dick Durbin that proposed changes to the BEAD Program might postpone critical riverfront development by a year, jeopardizing Illinois' autonomy. A bipartisan group of 115 state legislators urged U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to make these changes optional. Enhanced broadband access is vital for agricultural productivity, significantly influencing the supply chain and supporting rural communities that struggle with inadequate internet. The ILWW Ports Commission oversees substantial freight movement, heavily tied to local agricultural output worth over $3.2 billion.
The primary users of the multi-modal transportation system support our farmers. Increased access to adequate broadband directly impacts productivity and ultimately the regional and global supply chain.
Improving, without delay, local broadband infrastructure and increasing internet speeds is critical to the success of the farmers, rural communities and the multimodal users of the Illinois Waterway.
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