West Cook News

Cook County has been acknowledged by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) as a 2024 Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer for the second consecutive year. This recognition highlights Cook County's ongoing efforts to address the digital divide and promote equity through its Digital Equity Action Plan.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle expressed pride in receiving this honor, stating, "This honor is a testament to our commitment to advancing digital equity by building a robust ecosystem rooted in accessibility, safety and collaboration." She emphasized the county's focus on sustainable, community-driven solutions to ensure all residents have access to necessary digital tools and opportunities.

In 2024, Cook County was among 60 communities recognized as Digital Inclusion Trailblazers by NDIA. These communities are noted for prioritizing accessibility, infrastructure, and initiatives that build digital confidence among residents. The recognition reflects Cook County's dedication to providing affordable high-speed internet, devices, and essential skills for navigating today's digital landscape.

Kyla Williams Tate, Director of Digital Equity for Cook County, remarked on the achievement: "This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all residents have equitable access to technology and digital resources."

Angela Siefer, NDIA Executive Director, highlighted the role of local governments in building digital inclusion ecosystems: “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers celebrates these critical efforts to bring digital opportunities to all residents.”

Cook County's initiatives include appointing Mauricio Jimenez as the Inaugural Digital Equity Coordinator in May 2024 and collaborating with City Bureau on the Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program. This program awarded $187,500 in grants to fifteen organizations aimed at promoting digital inclusion through storytelling and community engagement.

Additionally, during Digital Inclusion Week 2024, Cook County hosted numerous events with various partners. The county also donated over 35,000 pounds of equipment for refurbishment through PCs for People and distributed laptops and internet devices with Compudopt.

Since its inception in 2016, NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers program has set standards for exemplary work in digital inclusion across the nation. It provides verified materials from applicants that assess community impact available on an interactive map on NDIA’s website.

For more information about Cook County’s initiatives related to digital equity visit www.cookcountyil.gov/service/digital-equity.