Defeating the Digital Divide: How Chicago Can Achieve True Digital Equity

Our recommendations for addressing the three prongs of digital inequity – connectivity, device ownership, and access to training – will require a community-led “all hands on deck” approach. Each recommendation will require commitment from the public sector – including the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and/or the federal government – as well as our city’s private sector and broader civic community. Community anchor institutions – both government institutions like CPS and Chicago Public Library (CPL) – as well as community-based nonprofits, will play a critical role. Through planning, execution, sustained funding, and an abiding commitment to maintain momentum and realize this historic opportunity, the city of Chicago can become the first large urban city to eradicate the digital divide, unleashing the potential of all residents to thrive regardless of ZIP code.

1. Connect All Chicagoans to Free or Low-cost High-speed Internet
2. Close Chicago’s Device Gap
3. Offer Free and Low-cost Digital Learning Resources That Meet Chicagoans’ Needs