Counties urge Congress to extend Affordable Connectivity Program

Elected officials at the local and federal level are urging Congress to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers discounted broadband service to low-income households, providing access to healthcare, education and employment. Lake County (IL) Board Member Jennifer Clark, who is also chair of the county’s special committee on broadband, said the program is “absolutely vital” to bridging the digital divide. Clark said that because Congress has not yet extended the funding, Lake County has seen a stagnation in people signing up for the benefits. “A lot of people say, ‘Why should I take the time to sign up for this when it might end in a few months?’” she said. “… It’s so important for Congress to act soon, because if the money runs out, then millions of people will lose their internet access overnight, but it also makes it difficult to sign people up now, because they don’t know if it’s going to continue and don’t want to fill out the forms if it might end.”