The Illinois Broadband Gap Analysis Tool identifies and visualizes broadband service gaps across 3,263 Illinois census tracts by integrating FCC coverage data with U.S. Census demographic indicators. It supports data-driven infrastructure investment decisions in a state where the Chicago metropolitan area and downstate rural communities face a stark digital divide.
Who Is This For?
Infrastructure Planners
Identify highest-need areas for broadband expansion and prioritize capital investment.
Grant Writers
Generate evidence-backed data exports for federal BEAD / USDA ReConnect funding applications.
Community Advocates
Visualize and communicate the digital divide to local officials. Use the Print View for offline advocacy.
Researchers & Policymakers
Analyze spatial patterns in digital equity and evaluate broadband subsidy programs.
Broadband Need Index Methodology
The composite index (0β100) combines three normalized components. Higher scores indicate greater infrastructure investment need.
40%
Broadband coverage gap β (100% minus broadband subscription rate)
30%
Income gap β normalized over $20kβ$120k household income range
30%
No internet rate β % of households without any internet subscription
Data Sources
FCC Broadband Data Collection β county-level 25/3 Mbps coverage (January 2025) ACS American Community Survey 5-Year 2024 β income, internet subscriptions, population Census TIGER/Line 2023 β Illinois census tract boundaries
About the Developer
Developed by Ethan Kalchik | University of WisconsinβMadison | GEOG 778: Practicum in GIS Development
Filtered Tracts
Tract ID
County
Area Type
Need Index
Coverage %
No Internet %
Med. Income
Poverty %
π Top 50 Tracts by Current Layer
Click any column header to sort. Click a row to zoom to that tract.
#
County
Tract ID
Need Index
Coverage %
No Internet %
Med. Income
π΅ Income vs. Coverage β All Illinois Tracts
Each dot is one census tract. Color = need level
(High,
Medium,
Low/Adequate).
Hover to see details; click to jump to the tract on the map.
π Export Data to CSV
Export 0 census tracts to CSV file.
The export will include: Tract ID, County, Coverage %, Median Income, Population, Need Index, and more.