Access to fast internet is a growing concern among communities in Illinois that currently don't have a high speed internet connection.
State Representative Natalie Phelps-Finnie of Elizabethtown is sponsoring legislation that would look at ways to provide broadband internet to the rural parts of the state.
"No company is going to come here without basic broadband. That's just a basic assumption you're going to have."
She says with so much now online-southern Illinois is being left behind.
"From elderly being able to apply for services to our students. So many things are requirement now to be on the internet and people just don't have the service."
Phelps-Finnie says this will help force the hand of lawmakers into looking what options are for technology upgrades.
