Smart Communities: Chicago The Smart Communities program works to increase digital access and use by families, businesses and other institutions in five moderate- and low-income Chicago neighborhoods. It is funded by The State of Illinois and the MacArthur Foundation. Smart Communities: Chicago Technical Trainings: Everyday Digital Introduces users to the Internet. 5 two-hour sessions covering Browsers to Social Media Civic 2.0 How to find important information from a community stand point. (Voter statistics, Police data, Local report carts) How to use the Internet to advocate for a community. Common Sense Media Helps students and parents understand digital culture. FamilyNet Centers: FamilyNet Centers “invite the public to use state- of-the-art computers and broadband access, and they offer training and assistance designed specifically for community members.” They are free to local residents. Business Resource Networks: Helps local small businesses find hardware and software to help them succeed. Community Portals: Allow local residents to post and find information. A Digital Youth Network: Engages youth in multimedia and the arts in an after school program. From 2008 to 2011 there was 15% higher rate of change for internet usage in communities with the program than in similar communities without. Home Internet usage didn’t change much (the cost of broadband is too high). Prompted the adoption of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program which gave discounted broadband to households with students with free or reduced-priced school lunches. Areas with Smart Communities Program

Works Cited http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/doi t/supp_info/digital_excellencedemonstrationco mmunities.html http://www.smartcommunitieschicago.org/inde x.html http://www.broadbandillinois.org/Research/Int ernal-Research/Chicago-Broadband-Use.html