Illinois to lose $23.7M in broadband funding after Trump cuts 'woke' federal program

Trump’s broadband rules changes would favor Starlink; WV residents would pay more

West Virginians, many in rural areas, are still waiting for high-speed internet. But a new federal push that could steer more broadband funding to Elon Musk’s Starlink will make them wait even longer. Earlier in 2025, the state was poised to receive $1.2 billion to connect every West Virginian to the internet, mainly through traditional fiber cables. Now, the money has been delayed as federal officials are making changes that would benefit satel…

Illinois to lose $23.7M in broadband funding after Trump cuts 'woke' federal program

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois stands to lose more than $23.7 million in federal funding after the Trump administration cut an Internet expansion program the president described as a "woke" giveaway based on race. The Digital Equity Act, enabled by the Biden administration's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, was a $2.75 billion program that promised funding for digital skills training, broadband expansion, device access, and workf…