$16M promised for broadband in Chicago suburbs

High speed Internet is getting a $16 million boost in suburban Cook County.

Gov. Pat Quinn (D-IL) and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (D) announced a partnership at South Suburban Community College. The state will put in $6.1 million and the county promises $10 million. The project will mean more than 70 miles of new underground fiber optic cable to provide high-speed network connections between hospitals, libraries and schools. Chicago suburbs that will benefit include Calumet Park, Dixmoor, Harvey, Markham, Riverdale and Robbins. State officials say the project will create at least 150 permanent and temporary jobs. County Board President Preckwinkle says the project is critical to reverse joblessness, poverty and technology adoption in the southern Chicago suburbs. Gov Quinn says the infrastructure project is a step toward economic growth.