Illinois lawmakers are warning the state is at risk of losing millions of dollars meant to bring fast internet to remote schools.
The federal government will help pay for fiber optic cables — if Illinois comes up with 16 million dollars in matching funds.
State Senator Sam McCann, a Republican from Plainview, is among lawmakers asking Governor Bruce Rauner to include the funds in next year’s budget.
“This is one place that we can take money that we already have access to, money that we can leverage from the federal government, and bridge this digital divide.”
Lawmakers say the federal money could go to other states if Illinois doesn’t come up with its share.
Nearly 90-thousand Illinois students do not have access to high-speed internet in the classroom.