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Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools Extend Chicago Connected Program for 2026–27 School Year

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CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have announced the extension of the Chicago Connected program for the 2026-2027 school year. This decision will ensure that over 28,000 CPS students continue to have access to free, high-speed internet at home. The extension was made possible through the identification of information technology budget efficiencies by the City of Chicago, reaffirming the Johnson administration's commitment to digital equity and educational access for all.

Mayor Johnson stated, "Every student deserves an equal opportunity to learn and succeed in the classroom, and access to internet shouldn't stand in the way." He also expressed his pride in being able to identify a path forward to keep Chicago Connected available to CPS families while closing the digital divide. The mayor emphasized his administration's dedication to making the most of every public dollar while protecting essential services for Chicagoans and lowering everyday costs for residents.

The Chicago Connected program was initially launched in 2020 and has provided reliable home internet access to more than 60,000 CPS students over the past five years. This initiative has bridged the digital divide and supported learning both in and beyond the classroom. Eligible families are offered no-cost broadband or hotspot service, helping students stay engaged, complete homework, and access vital online resources.

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CPS Supt/CEO Dr. Macquline King stated, "Chicago Connected serves as a lifeline for thousands of CPS students and their families." She emphasized that by providing access to this critical resource, obstacles to academic resources and information are removed, ensuring that every CPS student has the tools they need to achieve their full potential.

The savings within the Department of Technology and Innovation (DTI) were realized by modernizing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supporting systems. Additionally, IT services were moved to the cloud, improving reliability and user experience while reducing overall technology costs for the city.

Department of Technology and Innovation Commissioner Nick Lucius stated, "Chicago Connected plays a leading role in addressing digital inequality across Chicago." He also expressed pride in the department's implementation of new operational efficiencies, which have allowed them to do their part in helping to preserve this vital program for another school year.

Launched in 2020, Chicago Connected is one of the largest and longest-lasting efforts in the nation to close the digital divide for K-12 students. The program provides free, high-speed internet to eligible CPS families, which was previously provided through partnerships with local internet providers and community organizations. However, it is now sustained through CPS's partnership with the City of Chicago.

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Since its launch, almost all of the 20 community areas with the largest decreases in dysconnectivity rates are located on Chicago's South and West Sides. A review of the initiative's first year found that 93% of participating families were designated as economically disadvantaged, 29% had students who were English language learners, 20% had students who were diverse learners, and 13% were in temporary living situations. Additionally, a majority of families noted that internet access helped them in areas unrelated to schooling, such as communicating via email and searching for information online.

To learn more about Chicago Connected, visit cps.edu/chicagoconnected. This program continues to make a significant impact on closing the digital divide and providing equal opportunities for all CPS students.

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