On April 16th, a coalition of public and private partners announced the next chapter in Chicago’s digital leadership: Connect Chicago. Smart Chicago joined the Chicago Public Library, LISC Chicago, World Business Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Connect Chicago Technology Advisory Council, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel in launching this initiative.
Internet access is key, but Connect Chicago doesn’t stop there. Connect Chicago seeks to increase access to the Internet, increase digital skills, and increase civic & economic engagement through technology. This will be accomplished by investing in leadership, the scaling of evidence-based programs, and innovation.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel held up Connect Chicago as an example of what can be accomplished through public-private partnerships. Through Connect Chicago, digital learning opportunities will be made available citywide through Chicago Public Library Branches and LISC Financial Opportunity Centers.
Smart Chicago is proud to be the home for this important work. Connect Chicago speaks to two of our focus areas: access and skills. From our seat at the Chicago Community Trust, we have hosted and encouraged a community of practice around digital equity through Connect Chicago Meetups. The trainers and community organizations involved work everyday to close technology gaps. We will continue to build community, collaboration, and innovation across the entire ecosystem.
See this blog post by Dan X. O’Neil to access pictures and see the press release from Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
For more information on Connect Chicago, visit connectchicago.org. To get involved and receive regular updates about Connect Chicago, fill out this form.
Smart Chicago’s Twitter Recap of the Connect Chicago Launch
Today we’re tweeting a recap of Saturday’s #ConnectChicago Launch at Humboldt Park @chipublib (1/19) pic.twitter.com/nLHe8DwtHz
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
#ConnectChicago is a citywide effort to increase access, #digitalskills https://t.co/0KJA4qorD5 (2/19) pic.twitter.com/iJT2Z1J5Hx
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
#ConnectChicago is a collaborative #digitalequity initiative made possible by key public & private partners (3/19) pic.twitter.com/fio4ZS6vfU
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
“By bringing partners together, we are able to do something unique for Chicago” – @danxoneil #ConnectChicago (4/19) pic.twitter.com/NcOQD8M7Te
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
The #ConnectChicago Launch featured remarks from @ChicagosMayor @CityChicagoCIO @bbannon @LISC_AmeriCorps (5/19) pic.twitter.com/66lfCXCryq
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
Why #ConnectChicago ? @CityChicagoCIO discussed the access & skill gaps in Chicago (6/19) pic.twitter.com/WBl2Fb6Cmf
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
.@CityChicagoCIO outlined #ConnectChicago — leadership, citywide training, innovation https://t.co/0KJA4qG2uD (7/19) pic.twitter.com/wPSmqGZJo7
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
#ConnectChicago announced 2 investments: 1) #digitalskills integration at @LISC_FinOpp & 2) the citywide expansion of CyberNavigators (8/19)
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
CyberNavigators, also supported by @CPLFoundation, trained >10K residents in March 2016 #ConnectChicago (9/19) pic.twitter.com/pmHOYrovkd
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
Omar of @LISC_AmeriCorps told his story. He advanced from trainee to trainer at @CCLchicago #ConnectChicago (10/19) pic.twitter.com/hgvlU2H7Rv
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
.@LISCChicago’s holistic support includes job training, #financialliteracy & #digitalskills #ConnectChicago (11/19) pic.twitter.com/VASnHiRdlo
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
.@ChicagosMayor discussed the importance of #digitalskills in a dynamic 21st century economy #ConnectChicago (12/19) pic.twitter.com/464uzww8uK
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
Members of the #ConnectChicago Tech Advisory Council were recognized for supporting #digitalequity (13/19) pic.twitter.com/YSNwftP7pJ
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
#ConnectChicago is a shining example of Chicago’s commitment to digital access and skills” — @shelleystern of @MSFTChicago (14/19)
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
Here is the press release on #ConnectChicago from @ChicagosMayor https://t.co/zVNxEluYmm (15/19)
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
Read the @chicagotribune story on the #ConnectChicago Launch: https://t.co/TPYPHgvqT4 (16/19)
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
Read the @cbschicago story on the #ConnectChicago Launch: https://t.co/WjsAnBNcvH (17/19)
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
See pictures from the #ConnectChicago Launch taken by our Executive Director @danxoneil https://t.co/XJ6Lthm3EN (18/19)
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016
For more information & to get involved in #ConnectChicago go to https://t.co/0KJA4qG2uD (19/19) pic.twitter.com/9kAV96RJqG
— Smart Chicago (@SmartChicago) April 18, 2016