Illinois Broadband Lab

ICYMI: The application for the Cook County Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program is live! Our webinar for interested applicants is tomorrow, October 17 from 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM CDT! Join our webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gPx5QDXF You may apply here: https://lnkd.in/gKQfRqQj This initiative is a significant step forward in our ongoing effort to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion throughout our communities. Key Highlights: • Funding: $187,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). • Grant Amounts: Community organizations can apply for $7,500 or $15,000, depending on their project’s size and scope. • Partnership: We are thrilled to partner with City Bureau a nonprofit journalism lab, to co-design this program. Together, we aim to empower organizations to tell stories that highlight digital equity challenges and solutions. The initiative aligns with the four pillars of our Digital Equity Action Plan: access, confidence, safety, and infrastructure. It empowers community organizations to advocate for lasting, community-driven change. 📅 Important Dates: • Application Window Opens: October 11, 2024 • Webinar for Applicants: October 17, 2024 (Register here: https://lnkd.in/gPx5QDXF) • Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 For more information about the Cook County Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program, please visit https://lnkd.in/g9uEsSWA Together, let’s amplify voices, share stories, and create a more inclusive digital landscape!

“The broadband lady”. I’ve been touring central Illinois with DCEO’s team RED (Regional Economic Development) sharing broadband and digital equity opportunities coming up in Illinois. Thanks to the partnership and reach, I’m now known by some folks in Springfield as “the broadband lady” and have been introduced as “having even more money than team RED” by Alyson Grady 😄 we’re going to do great things with the money. Are you ready to be part of this important work?

Knox County's investment in broadband is advancing rural communities, delivering high-speed internet that empowers homes and businesses to thrive. This transformative step is driving economic growth, innovation, and expanding digital equity across the region. The Illinois Office of Broadband is proud to champion these impactful efforts to enhance connectivity for more Illinoisans. Learn more about this exciting development by reading the full article here https://lnkd.in/g6qxqn5a #DigitalEquity #BroadbandExpansion #IllinoisBroadband

Thank you scaleLIT for helping to spread the word about our efforts to advance digital equity! We appreciate your support in sharing this important work. At the Illinois Broadband Lab, we are committed to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all Illinois residents have access to the internet, devices, and the skills they need to thrive in today's digital world. Learn more about our digital equity plan here: https://lnkd.in/gETZHhmK #DigitalEquity #BroadbandForAll #IllinoisBroadband

Digital equity is critical to the sustainability of communities in Chicagoland, Illinois, and beyond. I've been privileged through my involvement with Illinois Innovation Network to support Chicago State University and Northeastern Illinois University on Advancing Broadband Equity through Learning Intermediaries in the Neighborhoods of Chicago (https://lnkd.in/gw2WsXQU). ABE-LINC was funded by a $3.25M grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In just six months, it has already started transforming the lives of nearly 1,800 beneficiaries in 12 South Chicago neighborhoods through a high-touch digital navigator program. Yesterday, we proposed to National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) an ambitious vision to build on this foundation by expanding to dozens of other communities through a comprehensive digital navigator initiative and by reimagining the CSU and NEIU campuses as high-connectivity digital equity hubs. If funded, Centering Opportunity through Digital Equity in Chicago (CODE Chicago) would position South Chicagoland as an exemplar of digital inclusion. We'll know by Spring 2025! A sincere thank you to Nathalia Cardenas, Daniel R. Block, Marcelo Sztainberg, Moussa Ayyash, Edmundo Garcia Solis, Institute for Work & the Economy, and Kathleen Yang-Clayton, and most importantly the amazing first cohort of digital navigators. You and so many others have contributed to a story of impact through ABE-LINC that inspired the crafting of the CODE Chicago vision and encouraged us all to dream big!

Join us for the next installment of our weekly BEAD Sub-Grantee Series! This Wednesday's webinar topic is: Overview of BEAD Subgrantee Process. Register now to join us every Wednesday at 12 PM CT for in-depth BEAD topic discussions. Click the link below to secure your spot! #digitalequity #broadband #internet #infrastructure #BEADgrant

We are excited to support Cook County’s launch of the Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program. This initiative will empower community organizations to address the critical challenges of digital access and inclusion through innovative projects. By fostering local leadership and amplifying voices that promote digital equity, this program contributes to building a more inclusive, connected future. At the Illinois Broadband Lab, we emphasize the importance of such efforts in driving change and ensuring digital resources reach those who need them most. We look forward to seeing the transformative impact of this program across our communities. #DigitalEquity #CommunityEmpowerment #BroadbandForAll #IllinoisBroadband

Connect Illinois Spotlight: Grafton Technologies, Inc. (GTI)     GTI is a proud, recurring Connect Illinois grantee, using program resources to expand broadband connectivity throughout Jersey County. Founded as a telephone company in January 1996, GTI is a family-owned business with deep local roots that has since evolved into a comprehensive telecommunications provider. GTI’s local team, living and working in the same communities they serve, ensures a strong connection to customer needs. Their local presence helps foster a deep understanding of challenges, enabling quick and efficient service. The team provides responsive, personalized support, prioritizing effective solutions to technical, utilization, and service issues. #BroadbandInfrastructure #DigitalAccess #ConnectIllinois

The Illinois Office of Broadband is proud to see local organizations stepping up to assist low-income families with essential resources. The Housing Authority of Champaign County, in partnership with VOLO, is launching the VCHAP project to provide free Wi-Fi for 355 homes across six Housing Authority properties—eliminating the cost of Wi-Fi for residents. Affordable access to broadband and digital tools is critical for educational success, job opportunities, and daily life. Learn more about how these efforts are helping bridge the digital divide and ensure no one is left behind. Read more at the link below: https://lnkd.in/gqJ8_Pgx #DigitalEquity #CommunitySupport #IllinoisBroadband

👏 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that RAILS Director of Technology Services Anne Slaughter has been appointed as the new Broadband Advisory Council Chair. “We’re so proud of what Anne has accomplished in the area of broadband and digital equity,” said RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris. “This is part of RAILS' Strategic Plan: to support member libraries’ efforts to provide equitable, diverse, and inclusive services. Through consistent advocacy and engagement, Anne has put libraries in a better place to utilize incoming federal and state funding.” ➡ Read the full press release at https://lnkd.in/gNW7e6by Congratulations, Anne!