The state of Illinois and the Illinois Board of Higher Education have partnered to create Wi-Fi hotspots across the state that can be accessed by students who have to learn remotely due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The hotspot project was finalized by the governor’s office, the IBHE and the IBSE on Friday. The access spots can be found here. 

A plan is in place at Eastern that will cover the parking lot north of Taylor Hall with Wi-Fi, according to Ryan Gibson, Eastern’s director of web services.  

“We were fortunate to find a location that could be covered by two outdoor access points that already had wiring ran,” Gibson said. “A benefit to putting it near Taylor Hall is that they will continue to provide increased Wi-Fi coverage in the hall when our students return.” 

Gibson said the goal is to have the access points available immediately for students.  

Eastern Provost Jay Gatrell said this was a “fantastic” project executed by state leadership, and one he said he appreciated.  

JJ Bullock can be reached at 581-2812 or jpbullock@eiu.edu.