CHICAGO —Today, MayorBrandonJohnsonand Chicago Public Schools announced the extension the Chicago Connectedprogram for the 2026–2027 school year, ensuring over 28,000 CPS students continue to have access to free, high-speed internet at home.
The extension, made possible through the identification of information technology budget efficiencies by the City of Chicago, reaffirms the Johnsonadministration’s commitment to digital equity and educational access for all.
“Every student deserves an equal opportunity to learn and succeed in the classroom, and access to internet shouldn’t stand in the way,” said MayorBrandonJohnson. “Keeping Chicago Connected available to CPS families while continuing to close the digital divide was a top priority for my administration and I’m proud we were able to identify a path forward to do just that.
We remain committed to making the most of every public dollar while protecting the services Chicagoans rely on and lowering everyday costs for our residents.”
Originally launched in 2020, Chicago Connectedhas provided reliable home internet access to more than 60,000 CPS students over the past five years, bridging the digital divide and supporting learning in and beyond the classroom.
The program offers no-cost broadband or hotspot service to eligible families, helping students stay engaged, complete homework, and access vital online resources.
“Chicago Connected serves as a lifeline for thousands of CPS students and their families,” saidCPS Supt/CEO Dr. Macquline King. “By providing access to this critical resource, we are removing obstacles to academic resources and information, ensuring that every CPS student has the tools they need to achieve their full potential.”
The savings within the Department of Technology and Innovation were realized by modernizing enterprise resource planning and supporting systems and by moving IT services to the cloud, improving reliability and the user experience while reducing the City’s overall technology costs.
“Chicago Connected plays a leading role in addressing digital inequality across Chicago,” said Department of Technology and Innovation Commissioner Nick Lucius. “After implementing new operational efficiencies across DTI, we are proud to do our part to help preserve this vital program for another school year.”
Launched in 2020, Chicago Connectedis 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 formerly provided through partnerships with local internet providers and community organizations but has now been sustained through CPS’s partnership with the City of Chicago.
Almost all of the 20 community areas with the largest decreases in dysconnectivity rates since Chicago Connected launched are located on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
A review of the initiative’s first year found 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.
A majority of families also noted that internet access helped them in areas unrelated to schooling, such as communicating via email and searching for information online.
Learn more atcps.edu/chicagoconnected.