Cook County Digital Equity Action Plan

As government services, social and civic connections, financial services, educational resources, and workforce opportunities increasingly move online, suburban Cook County communities face a range of challenges. Those challenges include finding quality, affordable broadband internet service; obtaining usable, supported devices; and building the skills and confidence needed to navigate the internet safely and meaningfully. This action plan is organized around four digital equity cornerstones:

1. Access: Ensure that all residents can afford high-quality internet and devices, and can access tools and support to use them.
2. Confidence: Ensure that residents have the skills and comfort to navigate and use the internet to meet their needs and improve quality of life.
3. Safety: Ensure residents feel safe and secure in digital environments and can protect themselves online.
4. Infrastructure: Ensure that Cook County has sufficient physical infrastructure (conduit, cables, towers, and data centers) to support healthy, robust internet service for all.