Connect Illinois Round 4-Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD)

The Connect Illinois Round 4 Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This initiative falls under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With a total of $1 billion in federal funding allocated for Illinois, this competitive grant program aims to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas across the state. The primary objective of the BEAD Funded Connect Illinois Round 4 is to close the digital divide by expanding access to reliable, high-speed internet. Eligible projects will deliver broadband speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps to broadband-serviceable locations (BSLs) that lack sufficient connectivity. Additionally, the program aims to improve access for Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) such as schools, libraries, and health facilities, particularly those that do not currently have access to gigabit-level broadband services. Priority will be given to proposals serving hard-to-reach areas, high-cost areas, or persistent poverty counties. Applicants may include incorporated businesses, nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, public and private utilities, public-private partnerships, and local or state government entities, provided they meet financial, technical, and managerial qualifications. The grant opportunity mandates a minimum 25% matching fund requirement unless the project serves only high-cost areas, in which case applicants may be eligible for a waiver. All matching contributions must comply with federal cost principles and be properly documented. Eligible costs under this program include infrastructure construction, long-term leases, equipment purchases, design and permitting services, workforce development activities, cybersecurity, and related software. Funds cannot be used for indirect costs, profits, lobbying, or collective bargaining efforts. Subgrantees are required to submit quarterly performance and financial reports and must also comply with all applicable federal and state labor, procurement, and environmental regulations. Applications opened on July 1, 2025, and will close at 11:59 PM CST on July 18, 2025. A technical assistance session was offered on June 30, 2025. The application involves a multi-part submission process through Smartsheet, requiring both entity-level and project-specific documentation. This includes a narrative, detailed budget, signed grant application, and supporting materials. All applicants must also be registered and in good standing in the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal, and provide a valid SAM registration and UEI number. The evaluation process prioritizes cost-efficiency, technical quality, speed of deployment, and readiness. Final awards are contingent upon NTIA approval of the State’s BEAD Final Proposal. Grants will be distributed via fixed-amount subawards, and grantees must provide broadband service to all requested locations within four years of the subgrant, with special terms applicable to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite providers. The primary contact for this opportunity is Devon Braunstein, available at broadband@illinois.gov. The grant’s webpage can be accessed at https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/3504-2942.html.