Another Hurdle For 'Chicago Connected' Internet Push: Reluctance To Take Free Deal

Chicago Public Schools started the school year remotely Sept 8, and district officials say they are stepping up efforts to reach families about a new $50 million initiative, "Chicago Connected," which aims to connect low-income students to the internet. But they have run into a "trust gap:" skepticism in some communities that they would get this service for free, no strings attached. The program has so far signed up a quarter of the 100,000 students that officials estimate can benefit from it. "Some of the folks we are trying to reach don't believe this is true," said Philip DiBartolo, the school district's chief information officer. "(They think) 'I'm going to get a bill at the end of the month.'"