Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Comcast announced Monday that they will provide Internet facilities around some city schools for students in low-income families.
The city and Comcast, in partnership with the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, will provide “learning zones,” which will be centered around five Chicago Public Schools “welcoming” schools.
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The centers that will be placed around Mayo Elementary in Bronzeville, Bass Elementary and Nicholson Elementary in Englewood and West Englewood, and Hughes Elementary and Johnson Elementary in North Lawndale.
Students in these schools will have access to computers and mobile devices, which will provide electronic access to textbooks and information.
The announcement comes as the city and Comcast kick off the third year of their Internet Essentials program, which provides discounted Internet to the Chicago’s low-income families.
The Internet Essentials program offers eligible families broadband service for $9.95 a month and has enrolled 70,000 new families so far this year.