[The following is a paid advertisement.]

There is a critical need to update Illinois’ 25-year old, outdated Telecommunications Act this year, according to a recent study commissioned by the Illinois Technology Partnership, Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and conducted by the Discovery Institute.

Results showed revamping the state’s telecom policy is necessary to sustain investment in broadband which, according to one estimate, would create or save 105,622 jobs. Other projected benefits would include:

· $6.2 billion in economic impact annually from increased broadband availability.
· $28 million in average health care savings
· More than $4 billion in direct annual income growth.

Our telecommunications landscape is rapidly changing, but our state’s policies have failed to keep pace.

During a time Illinois is experiencing record levels of unemployment, modernizing policies like the Telecommunication Act that will spur investment and job creation in Illinois at no cost to taxpayers should be the state’s top priority.

Our policies need to encourage investment in broadband networks that companies and consumers want and need. For more information and to view the entire study, visit iltechpartner.org.