i3 Broadband Secures Right-of-Way Approvals in Antioch, Grayslake and Winthrop Harbor in Lake County Illinois

i3 Broadband Also Joins Lake County Municipal League as Associate Member, Strengthening Commitment to Northern Illinois Expansion

EAST PEORIA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--i3 Broadband, a Midwest-based fiber-optic internet provider, announced today that it has secured right-of-way approvals to deploy its 100 percent fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in the Lake County Illinois communities of Antioch, Grayslake and Winthrop Harbor, marking significant expansion efforts for the provider in Northern Illinois.

In addition, i3 Broadband has joined the Lake County Municipal League as an associate member for 2026, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with local governments and regional stakeholders throughout Northern Illinois.

The approvals mark a significant step in i3 Broadband’s continued expansion across the Chicago suburban market, where demand for reliable, high-capacity internet infrastructure continues to grow among both residents and businesses.

“These right-of-way approvals reflect the trust that local leaders are placing in i3 Broadband as a responsible infrastructure partner,” said Mike Elam, vice president of Community Affairs & Market Development at i3 Broadband. “Our approach is rooted in collaboration — collaborating closely with municipal officials, engineering teams and community stakeholders to ensure that our fiber deployment is done efficiently, transparently and with minimal disruption. We view these communities as long-term partners.”

Expanding Fiber Choice in Lake County

The Lake County deployments are part of i3 Broadband’s broader strategy to expand high-speed fiber connectivity throughout Northern Illinois, providing an alternative to legacy cable and copper-based networks.

Fiber-optic infrastructure delivers data via light over glass strands, offering greater speed, reliability and scalability than traditional systems. As remote work, streaming, telehealth, cloud computing and digital commerce continue to increase bandwidth demand, communities are seeking future-ready infrastructure capable of supporting long-term growth.

Peter Danos, director of Community Affairs for i3 Broadband and who is based in the Chicagoland area and leading the expansion in Northern Illinois, said the company’s Lake County expansion reflects both market demand and municipal interest in enhanced broadband competition.

“Communities across Lake County recognize that modern fiber infrastructure is essential to economic development and quality of life,” Danos said. “By securing right-of-way access in Antioch, Grayslake and Winthrop Harbor, we are taking an important step toward delivering a fully fiber network that gives residents and businesses meaningful choice in their internet service provider.”

A Community-Focused Model

As part of its Lake County expansion, i3 Broadband has joined the Lake County Municipal League to strengthen relationships with local officials and remain engaged in regional policy and planning discussions.

The company’s model emphasizes proactive coordination with municipalities throughout the permitting, construction and restoration process. By working collaboratively with city and village administrators, public works departments and community organizations, i3 Broadband aims to ensure that projects align with local standards and long-term development goals.

“Our membership in the Lake County Municipal League reflects our philosophy that broadband deployment should be a partnership,” Elam said. “We are committed not only to building fiber networks, but to being active participants in the communities we serve.”

Long-Term Infrastructure Investment

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in East Peoria, Illinois, i3 Broadband has steadily expanded its fiber footprint across Illinois and Missouri. The company focuses on delivering gigabit-capable fiber networks designed to scale with future demand, serving residential neighborhoods, businesses, schools and municipal institutions.

The Lake County right-of-way approvals position i3 Broadband for continued growth in one of the most dynamic suburban markets in the Midwest. Construction timelines and service availability details for Antioch, Grayslake and Winthrop Harbor will be announced as engineering and permitting processes advance.

About i3 Broadband

i3 Broadband is the leading 100 per cent fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) operator based in Illinois, providing Gigabit-speed Broadband services to residential and commercial customers throughout Northern, Central and Southeastern Illinois, and Missouri. It also currently serves the Warren, Bristol, and Barrington markets in the East Bay area of Rhode Island. Learn More about i3 Broadband here .