Bugle Newspapers 10-22-20

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sTaTe

second round of broadband expansion grants announced By peTeR hanCOCK Capital news Illinois

State officials on Monday announced the opening of a second round of grant opportunities for businesses and organizations to expand access to broadband internet service in underserved communities.

Speaking at a news conference in Staunton, about 40 miles northeast of St. Louis, Gov. JB Pritzker said the program will help close a digital divide that existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many people to start working from home and students to attend classes remotely.

“While we didn’t anticipate a pandemic, even as we passed this program into law in 2019, we knew that the inequities in our learning systems required urgent action,” Pritzker said.

Funding for the grants comes from the $400 million Connect Illinois program, which was part of the bipartisan $45 billion capital improvements program known as Rebuild Illinois that lawmakers approved in 2019.

In addition to that money, Pritzker said, lawmakers also dedicated $20 million in state funds to the Illinois Century Network, which provides secure broadband connections to K-12 schools and higher education institutions. And the state is using a portion of its federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES Act funding to address inequities in digital access for students.

Pritzker said the goal of those initiatives is to have universal access to broadband service in Illinois by 2024.

Michael Negron, assistant director of the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said grants are available for four types of projects: expanding access to broadband services; projects that drive innovation in areas such as telehealth; improv-

ing connectivity in urban areas; and investments that improve equity in broadband access in disadvantaged communities.

To be eligible for grants in the first three categories, applicants must put up at least 50 percent of the cost in the form of nonstate matching funds. But for projects to improve equity in disadvantaged communities, Pritzker said, the state is relaxing that requirement.

“Well, as you know, when you get into some of the poorest communities, there are often businesses who don’t want to make the investment because they don’t believe that they’ll be able to get the subscription revenue, for example, that people would have to pay in order to get broadband in those areas,” Pritzker said.

Eligible applicants include internet service providers, rural co-

operatives, nonprofits and local governments. Grants are available in amounts up to $5 million per project. Subsequent rounds will follow over the course of the next several years.

The application period is open from Nov. 1 through March 1. More information about applying for the grants is available on DCEO’s Notice of Funding Opportunity.

During the first round of grants, the state distributed $50 million for projects that brought in an additional $65 million in nonstate matching funds, for a total of $115 million.

That money funded projects that are expected to connect more than 26,000 homes, businesses, farms and institutions in all 10 of the state’s economic development regions, officials said.

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COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN FIND A VOTING PLACE USING ANY DEVICE Residents of Cook County can now find an early voting place at the tip of their fingers.

CityXones allows residents to use realtime location to immediately find a polling place wherever and whenever you have a moment to vote.

Voters can go to https://cityxones.page. link/ZJVQ or log on to www.buglenewspapers.com and click through to find the closest place near you to vote.

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OBITuaRy maRTens Carolyn Lee Arnold Martens passed away at home on October 14, 2020, after a brief illness. She was less than two weeks from her 97th birthday. She lived independently and was engaged in civic and social activities throughout her life.

Carolyn was born October 27, 1923, the only child of Emmilee Hancock Arnold and Ellis Fred Arnold. She grew up mainly in Peoria, IL, where she attended high school and Bradley University.

Frederick Martens, whose family lived close by, attended the same schools; Carolyn and Fred married in 1947. Their first home was in Albuquerque, NM, where Fred earned a master’s degree. During this time, Carolyn and Fred developed their adventuresome spirit by driving extensively (often on “little dirt roads”) around Mexico and western USA, traveling far beyond the usual tourist spots.

When Fred was hired at Argonne National Lab, the couple returned to Illinois, settling in Plainfield in 1950. They had three

children, Phillip, Christine, and Susan. Susan’s death in 1964 from complications of measles was a deep and enduring loss to the family. Carolyn later returned to teaching and became the Media Specialist (“they used to call it a librarian,” she said) at Crystal Lawns School. She was wellknown for her technologically advanced multi-media presentations, story times, history shows, and other very creative and engaging efforts. Carolyn and Fred developed deep friendships during their many years in Plainfield which supported and sustained them through the many trials of life.

Carolyn and Fred continued their travel adventures with amazing drives through Europe, as well as tours and cruises to Africa, Scandinavia, Alaska, and Central America. Carolyn was fluent in Spanish and was able to go on several self - guided tours of Mexico, South America, and Spain. After Fred passed away in 2012, she traveled to Italy and beyond on her own, meeting her family there for driving or cruising--at age 89 and 90.

As a 70-year resident of Plainfield, Carolyn leaves an extraordinary legacy. She was an active community member with a wide range of contributions to her home town. Generations of teachers and students were influenced by her work at Crystal Lawns School. Carolyn worked for the Census in 1960, which determined the population of Plainfield to be 1100.

She participated in many Park District activities including excercise classes and game lunches (and fretted about what to take to potluck lunches - it had to be home made). “Coffee with the Mayor” allowed her to keep up with plans for the ever-growing Village and to ask some pointed questions. She scolded the Park District many times (most recently in July) for failing to cut the weeds along the river in Electric Park.

Carolyn and Fred were founding members (1954) of Faith Lutheran Church in Joliet. She joined Plainfield Methodist Church more recently and was active in several groups--none more fun than the annual “free

sale,” where she enthusiastically worked every summer through 2019.

Perhaps most of all, Carolyn’s life experiences brought her grace and understanding that she openly shared with others going through life trials. Losing muchloved people--a deeply cherished child, elderly parents, nephew, many dear friends, and husband-as well as living through rebuilding of a home devastated by tornado, gave her profound empathy, and the credibility to offer practical perspective about how to pick up and go on.

She was greatly moved when someone would tell her that her words had made a difference to them Carolyn was predeceased by daughter Susan and by Fred, her husband of more than 65 years.

She is survived by her son Phillip, daughter Christine (Edward Mocarski), and granddaughter Emily Mocarski. The loving care and kindness of her niece, Katherine, nephews David and John (all Martens), niece Ginger Simon, and their spouses, children, and grandchildren enriched Carolyn’s

life tremendously, and she spoke often of her deep gratitude for these wonderful people.

A memorial service will be planned for the near future.

Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services is entrustedvwith arrangements. For information call 815/436-9221 or visit www.overman-jones.com

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Legal Notices

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Phone: 1515.436.2431 >> Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. FAX: 1515.439.25415 email: classifieds@enterprisepublications.com IN PERSON: Enterprise Publications >> 231556 Andrew Rd. >> Plainfield, IL

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