Illinois Launches New Broadband Permit Mapping Tool

The Illinois Office of Broadband (IOB) announced its new Illinois Broadband Permit Map, a leading resource on infrastructure deployment in Illinois. This map shares data on various permitting entities and other features that are helpful in determining where and which permits are necessary for broadband construction. This interactive tool provides high-level guidance and a starting point for broadband deployment in Illinois by aggregating data on roadways, railroads, waterways, and state and federal land, and connecting those features to permitting contacts and applications statewide. IOB's effort follows months of research, data analysis, and user feedback sessions between the IOB's Permitting and Policy Team and key broadband stakeholders. On June 30, IOB held a live demonstration of the permit map, where they walked Illinois broadband stakeholders through its uses and provided guidance on how to use the map when engaging with broadband infrastructure deployment projects.