The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) was awarded a $23,732,912.78 Project Grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Program (CFDA 11.032). The purpose of this grant is to implement the Illinois Digital Equity Plan, which was previously developed through an NTIA State Digital Equity Planning Grant. Key project activities include creating a data analytics dashboard to measure progress towards digital equity, co-designing a grant program with stakeholder experts, launching university partnerships, and initiating impact projects with nonprofits and community-based organizations serving as regional champions. The expected outcomes aim to achieve fair and just access to digital opportunities and resources for all Illinois residents, particularly unserved and underserved populations, with the goal of increasing wages for digital skill-based jobs by 23%. DCEO plans to sub-award portions of the grant to local governments, community organizations, educational institutions, and workforce development boards to implement the Digital Equity Plan activities across the state.
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