ACTION PLAN AND INTERACTIVE DIGITAL EQUITY MAP RELEASED IN CELEBRATION OF DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK

In celebration of Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released today Cook County’s first-ever Digital Equity Action Plan. The plan offers a strategic framework to ensure that all Cook County residents have equitable access to the digital infrastructure, devices and tools to thrive in today’s economy and society. It also invites residents, businesses and community organizations to collaboratively build impactful solutions in the areas of digital accessibility, confidence, safety and security, and infrastructure. To kick off DIW, Cook County’s Bureau of Technology also released an interactive Digital Equity Map which allows residents to gain insights about digital access in their communities.

“The quality of digital equity in Cook County affects the economy, wellbeing and social connection of every resident, though some communities are more affected than others and in unique ways,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Cook County is committed to building digital equity for all residents and this Action Plan charts our path forward.”

To build the plan, Cook County consulted extensively with communities across the County. The Guiding Team of digital equity leaders supported and led 12 Community Conversation events, interviews with over a dozen digital equity experts and a public survey that garnered over 3000 responses. Cook County plans to hold follow-up conversations in community to sustain and grow the region-wide effort to build digital equity.


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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday presented a proposed $9.14 billion Executive Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2024, which includes millions in funding for equity programs and pandemic relief without increasing taxes or cutting vital services. “Between the pandemic, stubborn inflation, economic uncertainty and numerous other global and regional issues, we have faced some truly enormous challenges. Despite these many difficulties, the financial condition of Cook County is resilient and strong,” said President Preckwinkle. “We are turning adversity into ambition, confronting each of these challenges, developing innovative equity and pandemic programming, expanding services and doing it all in a fiscally responsible manner. Through thoughtful financial management, we are working to create a better tomorrow for our children, grandchildren and all future generations.” Preckwinkle noted that the County was able to close a $161.8 million budget gap, one of the smallest gaps in her tenure as President, without the need for raising any new taxes, fines or fees. In the coming year, with equity as the guiding principle of the decision-making process, Cook County will continue implementation of critical projects funded in FY2023 with nearly a quarter of the billion dollars from its American Rescue Plan Act allocation from the U.S. Treasury Department. Read More



ACTION PLAN AND INTERACTIVE DIGITAL EQUITY MAP RELEASED IN CELEBRATION OF DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK In celebration of Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released today Cook County’s first-ever Digital Equity Action Plan. The plan offers a strategic framework to ensure that all Cook County residents have equitable access to the digital infrastructure, devices and tools to thrive in today’s economy and society. It also invites residents, businesses and community organizations to collaboratively build impactful solutions in the areas of digital accessibility, confidence, safety and security, and infrastructure. To kick off DIW, Cook County’s Bureau of Technology also released an interactive Digital Equity Map which allows residents to gain insights about digital access in their communities. “The quality of digital equity in Cook County affects the economy, wellbeing and social connection of every resident, though some communities are more affected than others and in unique ways,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Cook County is committed to building digital equity for all residents and this Action Plan charts our path forward.” To build the plan, Cook County consulted extensively with communities across the County. The Guiding Team of digital equity leaders supported and led 12 Community Conversation events, interviews with over a dozen digital equity experts and a public survey that garnered over 3000 responses. Cook County plans to hold follow-up conversations in community to sustain and grow the region-wide effort to build digital equity. Read More



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Paid for by Preckwinkle for President. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board's official website, http://elections.il.gov/, or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. All contributions are reported to the State Board of Elections. Contributions are not accepted from employees of Cook County. Companies holding contracts with the Cook County are limited to $750. Political contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.