Illinois Community Technology Coalition

CTCNET CHICAGO INVITES ALL CTCs, CBOs, FBOs,
Community Development Corporations and other NPOs

to learn about
TOOLS/SERVICES FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
and
get the latest from the
CHICAGO DIGITAL ACCESS ALLIANCE’s
CAMPAIGN FOR A COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT
and the
CHICAGO WIRELESS INITIATIVE

Weds. Jan. 24, 10 AM
Allison United Foundation for Better Living
4540 W. Washington Blvd.

RSVP: 312- 212-3623

Join Angela Stuber of Grassroots.org and Joseph Mouzon of Network for Good for a discussion of free and low-cost online services for nonprofits. Learn how your organization can apply for free web hosting, free first year domain registration, free volunteer web design, and an affordable online donation system. We’ll discuss how to best utilize these tools and others.

On April 28 HB3650, known as the Digital Literacy Act was signed into law by Governor Blagojevich.

Are we making progress in the policy agenda to advance Digital Literacy, Access & Equity in Illinois? The letter of the law makes it seem that we are.

But the letter of the law is inadequate: the 2007 budget did not include an appropriate level of investment in digital literacy and access programs for Illinois.

The state budget, passed May 4th includes appropriations of $3 million for the Digital Divide Elimination Fund from General Revenues.

Legislative will is not demonstrated by nicely worded acts recognizing a level of need in our communities. Legislative will is demonstrated by determination to meet that need.

We're making progress in the policy agenda to advance Digital Literacy, Access & Equity in Illinois!

Today HB3650, known as the Digital Literacy Act was signed into law by Governor Blagojevich.

We have much to be proud of, but our efforts must not cease at this critical juncture.

The letter of the law is inadequate if the 2007 budget does not include the appropriate level of investment.

Our coalition has recommended that the Eliminate the Digital Divide program and supportive efforts receive an allocation of $8 Million for the coming year.

The allocation of these funds is by no means secure, and time is running out in the budget negotiations.

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Ted Strickland recently announced a campaign platform that will include $5 million for Community Technology Projects. This nationally unprecedented figure marks a great success for OCCN (Ohio Community Computing Network-- http://www.ohioccn.org ), an Ohio nonprofit with member sites around the state.

Thursday, February 16 was Illinois' Community Technology Day. Our new Coalition gathered together in Springfield to publicly announce ourselves to Illinois' legislators and to affirm our commitment to grassroots values in the cause of Digital Literacy, Access & Equity.

Meeting at ComputerBanc, a Springfield CTC/Computer Recycling Center we reflected on our core values and the status and history of Digital Literacy efforts in Illinois. We closed our meeting with some words from Marty Cohen, currently Director of Consumer Affairs in the Office of the Governor.

A new blogspot resource for Illinois non-profits seeking funding:

http://nonprofitillinois.blogspot.com/

Good news! HB 3650 has passed through the Illinois Legislature and now goes to the Governor!

With near unanimous support, our big question is how much will be allocated in the budget.

February 16, 2006 we will convene Illinois Community Technology Day in Springfield. We kick-off the day with the launch of the Illinois Community Technology Coalition (ilCTC) the way all coalitions should be launched: in an open, working meeting, where we'll set the agenda and commit ourselves to the cause. And we want you to be there. ComputerBanc, 11 AM, sharp. Address: 1023 E Washington, Springfield, IL 62703.

Click here for a map and to get driving directions from your location.

Computerbanc is located on the northwest corner of 11th and Washington, in the back of the building. The door has a sign and faces north.

Following the meeting and lunch, we'll head over to the capitol building so that the legislators know we're in town.

So, will you join us?

All we ask is that you register ahead of time, so we know to expect you.

If you are coming from Chicago and would like to reserve a seat on the bus... register on CTCNetChicago.org.

All others, please register here.

The awardees of the recent Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity(DCEO) Eliminate the Digital Divide (CTC) grant round should be announced soon if they havent been already, and guess what? It's time for the next grants round under DCEO…

Is there a Community Technology Center in your (Illinois) community?
No? Then maybe you partner up and should start one.
Yes? Then they probably ought to apply.

CTCNet Chicago and the ilCTC want to document Digital Literacy efforts in Illinois, contact us to get inolved in the Statewide Coalition and join a Network dedicated to Digital Literacy, Access & Equity.