Low-to-no cost broadband internet offered in Peoria County [Video]

PEORIA (25News Now) – A plan providing low-to-no cost broadband internet service to low-income households has won the support of Peoria County Board members.

The county is partnering with several internet service providers to implement the one-year pilot program.

Residents will apply for the service, then a lottery system will decide which households will get the cheaper service. The lottery will give preference to low-income households.

County Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Andre Allen has been working on this project for eight months. The City/County Joint Commission on Racial Justice and Equity is also involved.

“You know a lot of kids have gone back to school right now. This could be an added bonus to those families. For those who maybe are thinking about pivoting to a remote job, maybe this opens you up to different job opportunities, or maybe this allows you to be a little bit more connected,” said Allen, …