Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Extension of Free WiFi Access at Parks and Schools Across the City
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CHICAGO Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the extension of Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) Chicago Connected program and the Chicago Park District's Citywide Broadband and Digital Equity Initiative. Both programs are focused on extending free Internet access to disinvested communities, serving more than 40,000 CPS students and 60 parks across the South and West sides of the city.

"In the 21st century, Internet access cannot be a luxury only available to a few. Access to high-quality broadband is vital for residents in finding and securing employment, connecting with friends and family, and living fuller lives," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Similarly, students in Chicago Public Schools cannot thrive if they do not have access to the Internet at home. This is an issue of equity, fairness and justice, and I am proud that we are expanding free wi-fi to the communities that need it most."

Chicago Park District's Broadband and Digital Equity Initiative
To increase vital Park resources and expand access and connectivity in areas that are wi-fi deficient, the Chicago Park District launched the Citywide Broadband and Digital Equity Initiative to implement public wi-fi at 60 parks in South and West side neighborhoods. The new infrastructure makes free broadband access available to Park patrons and extends service beyond the perimeter of a park to the immediate community with antenna signals reaching 100-200 yards.

"It is critical that Park families have access to wi-fi and connectivity not just in the parks but in the nearby community. This is why we are so excited to bring these vital investments to families and communities in need," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. "Parks are more than places to recreate, they are community hubs where residents seek opportunities that improve their quality of life: connecting to friends, applying for a job, and getting homework done. Access to free, public wi-fi furthers that goal by eliminating challenges like isolation as well as educational and economic barriers the digital divide can often contribute to and helps foster connections that are vital to strengthening communities."

In addition to enhancing the patron experience and making parks even more attractive and functional destinations, wi-fi provides access to educational resources, and employment opportunities, and connects residents to the broader community and world around them. Each park will also be equipped with new digital screens and kiosks that will serve as a portal for information related to parks and other public resources.

The Park District is currently in the first phase of installation, having completed indoor broadband improvements at 27 of 60 park fieldhouses. Beginning in the fall of this year, the District will execute the second phase of the project, focused on outdoor areas of the parks. The third and final phase, scheduled to begin in winter 2025, will refresh existing wi-fi connectivity at 100 additional park locations.

Park locations were selected based on a number of factors, including the prioritization of parks in South and West side communities with limited broadband access and locations with larger fieldhouses and more robust program offerings. In addition, 19 locations are located within 1.5 miles of the Mayor's Office of Community Safety Priority Blocks Groups.

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The parks that will receive wi-fi improvements can be found at the bottom of this release.

Chicago Public Schools' Chicago Connected
CPS is committed to ensuring that all students receive high-quality digital learning as part of their educational experience. This includes reliable access to wi-fi at school and at home. In line with this commitment, CPS is extending Chicago Connected, the program that provides free, high-speed Internet to thousands of CPS families for the past four years.

"We're grateful for the generous support from Mayor Johnson and our many partners that is allowing our District to continue providing this critical resource to those families currently enrolled in Chicago Connected as well as our students in temporary living situations," said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. "This is what it looks like to break down barriers to education for those most in need. Internet service supports learning and parents' connection to our schools' faculty and leaders, paving the way for our students and families to succeed."

This initiative was originally set to expire later this summer, but thanks to a $4 million grant from Mayor Johnson's Road to Recovery plan, along with cooperation from several business, community and philanthropic partners, free, high-speed Internet service will continue to be available to CPS families enrolled in Chicago Connected through June 30, 2025. The grant, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, is awarded under the City's Neighborhood Connectivity Program, which is part of a broader effort by the Johnson Administration to increase broadband affordability and accessibility in Chicago communities with the lowest Internet connections.

Similarly, Chicago Connected — a first-of-its-kind program — is part of the City's overall effort to close the digital divide that disproportionately impacts low-income students. It is one of the largest efforts by any city in the country to provide equitable Internet access to these students and their families.

Since its launch in the summer of 2020, 40,000 CPS families have enrolled in Chicago Connected, and Internet speeds have been doubled to meet their growing needs. Nearly one in three of these families reported having no access to the internet prior to this groundbreaking opportunity.

The one-year extension of Chicago Connected will apply to all families who are already enrolled in the program. These families will automatically have their free Internet access extended through June 30, 2025. In addition, students in temporary living situations (STLS), including our new arrival families, may apply for enrollment in Chicago Connected through their schools.

The extension of Chicago Connected is an important step in the District's mission to improve equity across all aspects of the student experience, including digital learning.

Please see a list of the parks that will receive Wi-Fi upgrades below:


PARK

ADDRESS

Abbott Park

31 E. 95th St.

Altgeld

515 S. Washtenaw Ave.

Austin Town Hall

5610 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60644

Columbus

500 S. Central Ave. Chicago, IL 60644

Davis Square Park

4430 S. Marshfield Ave. Chicago, IL 60609

Douglas Park

1401 S. Sacramento Dr. Chicago, IL 60623

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Euclid Park

9800 S. Parnell Ave. Chicago, IL 60628

Fernwood Park

10436 S. Wallace St. Chicago, IL 60628

Fuller

331 W. 45th St.

Garfield

100 N. Central Park Dr.

Gately

10201 S. Cottage Grove Chicago, IL 60628

Hamilton Park

513 W. 72nd St. Chicago, IL 60621

Homan Square Park

3559 W. Arthington Chicago, IL 60624

Humboldt Park

1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard Chicago, IL 60622

John Clark

4615 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60644

Kennicott

4434 S. Lake Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60653

Lafollette

1333 N. Laramie Ave. Chicago, IL 60651

Lindblom Park

6054 S. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60636

Mandrake Park

3858 S. Cottage Grove Chicago, IL 60653

Marquette

6743 S. Kedzie Ave.

Mckinley

2210 W. Pershing Rd.

Moore

5085 W. Adams Chicago, IL 60644

Moran Park

5727 S. Racine Ave. Chicago, IL 60621

Ogden Park

6500 S. Racine Ave. Chicago, IL 60636

Robichaux Park

9247 S. Eggleston Ave. Chicago, IL 60620

Sherman Park

1301 W. 52nd St. Chicago, IL 60609

Sherwood Park

5701 S. Shields Ave. Chicago, IL 60621

South Shore Park

7059 S. South Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60649

Washington

5531 S. King Drive.

West Chatham

8223 S. Princeton Ave.

Ada

11250 S. Ada St.

Amundsen

6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave.

Archer

4901 S. Kilbourn Ave.

Avalon

1215 E. 83rd St.

Bessemer Park

8930 S. Muskegon Ave. Chicago, IL 60617

Brainerd Park

1246 W. 92nd St. Chicago, IL 60620

Carver

939 E. 132nd St.

Cooper Park

11712 S. Ada Street Chicago, IL 60643

Cornell Square Park

1809 W. 50th St. Chicago, IL 60609

Edward White Park

1120 W. 122nd St. Chicago, IL 60643

Frank Foster Park

1440 W. 84th St. Chicago, IL 60620

Franklin Park

4320 W. 15th St. Chicago, IL 60623

Galewood

5729 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Chicago, IL 60639

Grand Crossing

7655 S. Ingleside Ave.

Harriet Harris Park

6200 S. Drexel Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Jackie Robinson Park

10540 S. Morgan St. Chicago, IL 60643

Jackson

6401 S. Stony Island Ave.

Marquette

6743 S. Kedzie Ave.

Meyering

7140 S. Martin Luther King Dr

Martin Luther King

7600 S. Racine Ave.

Nash Community Center

1833 E. 71st Chicago, IL 60649

Oakdale Park

965 W. 95th St. Chicago, IL 60643

Palmer Park

201 E. 111th St. Chicago, IL 60628

Rainbow Beach

3111 East 77th St. Chicago, IL 60649

Russell Square Park

3045 E. 83rd St. Chicago, IL 60617

Samuel Ellis Park

3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Chicago, IL 60653

Simons

1640 N. Drake Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Taylor Park

39 W. 47th St. Chicago, IL 60609

Tuley

501 E. 90th Place

West Pullman Park

401 W. 123rd St. Chicago, IL 60628

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