June 2021

Chicago Mayor Lightfoot expands year-old program aimed at bridging digital divide

Chicago Public high school graduates would be guaranteed three more months of free, high-speed internet service — and those going on to City Colleges would get the perk for up to three years — thanks to an extension of “Chicago Connected,” a groundbreaking program bankrolled in part by Illinois’ richest man, Ken Griffin. Chicago Connected has reached 64,000 students across 42,000 households, bridging “nearly two-thirds” of the digital divide, according to City Hall. The proposed expansion aims to do even more:

Schools and Libraries Can Act Now to Bridge the Digital Divide

Schools and libraries have an enormous window of opportunity to help their students and patrons obtain affordable internet access. At the end of this month, the Federal Communications Commission will open a 45-day filing window for the Emergency Connectivity Fund program, which will make $7.17 billion available to fund broadband service and devices off-campus.

Sponsor 

Pew Charitable Trusts 

Date 
Wed, 06/23/2021 - 13:00 to 14:00

A webinar with a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers to learn how states are addressing the digital divide and what federal lawmakers may want to consider for future federal broadband efforts.

Speakers:



Sponsor 

Federal Communications Commission

Date 
Tue, 07/13/2021 - 10:30