The Role of Municipal Websites Within Rural Illinois Municipalities

Using data collected on 44 municipalities in the state of Illinois, in the United States, this paper examines the decision-making process that rural municipalities face relative to having a web presence. Although large local governments are more likely to have a website, many small local governments do not, due to perceived lack of both technical and capital resources. This study employs a cost benefit scorecard and finds that rural municipalities have affordable opportunities.