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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION DECLARING JULY 17TH, 2014 AS BROADBAND ADOPTION DAY IN COOK COUNTY.
WHEREAS, In today's digital world with the increasing utility and reliance upon internet based applications and information, ready access to an affordable, reliable broadband internet connection in the home connects families to numerous economic, educational, health and social benefits; and
WHEREAS, In a November, 2012 report titled Broadband Adoption in Illinois: Who is online, who is not, and how to expand home high-speed adoption conducted by the Partnership for a Connected Illinois 32% of residents did not have a broadband internet connection at home, an issue that disproportionately affected minorities with 44% of black and Hispanic households not having a broadband connection at home; and
WHEREAS, When asked to elaborate on why they have not adopted broadband in the home 65% of non-adopters indicated cost was a factor but the next two factors at 58% and 44% respectively, were lack of relevance and overall digital literacy; and
WHEREAS, A February 28, 2013 Pew Research Center report titled How Teachers Are Using Technology at Home and in Their Classrooms shows that while 79% of teachers reported having students access or download an assignment from an online site that only 18% reported that all or almost all of their students had access to the digital tools they need at home; and
WHEREAS, Significant infrastructure investments have moved our nation forward and shifted the focus from access to adoption as evidenced by Partnership for a Connected Illinois data dated June, 2012, Cook County has 0% unserved and 0% underserved occupied households. Broadband Illinois defines an area as being "underserved" as areas having the maximum advertised download speeds of less than 3 Mbps; and
WHEREAS, Across the county there are several non-profits that offer digital literacy training that exposes participants to the many uses of the internet including applying for jobs, seeking medical information, social networking, furthering education and accessing government services; and
WHEREAS, Effective and diligent cooperation by public leaders, civic organizations and private companies is an essential ingredient in the success of any program aimed at promoting greater broadband adoption; and
WHEREAS, An effective example of that diligent cooperation is Comcast's Internet Essentials program which addresses the main barriers to adoption by offering families with at least one child that qualifies for the National School Lunch Program and meets other program requirements the ability to receive broadband service at home for $9.95 a month and to purchase a computer for under $150 as well as to participate in digital literacy training.
WHEREAS, Internet Essentials is helping our communities compete in the 21st century; 98% of families with Internet Essentials are using the internet for schoolwork, 65% are using their internet access for healthcare and government services, 64% are using their internet access to pay bills and 58% are using their home based access to search for jobs.
WHEREAS, Comcast's Internet Essentials program has to date connected 1.2 million low-income Americans, or 300,000 families, to the Internet at home of which more than 33,000 homes are from the Chicago Metro Area, which represents more than 100,000 more individuals with affordable access to the internet at home.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Commissioners of Cook County do hereby recognize July 17th, 2014 as Broadband Adoption Day in Cook County and encourage residents to adopt or encourage others to adopt broadband in the home.
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