Illinois Community Technology Coalition - Promoting Digital Literacy, Access & Equity

One Web Day 2007 - September 22

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:57:38 -0400

September 22 is One Web Day, celebrate the changes in our world and the positive dimensions of the Internet in our lives!

http://onewebday.org

Grassroots.org, Network For Good and Digital Excellence

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:35:30 -0500

CTCNET CHICAGO INVITES ALL CTCs, CBOs, FBOs,
Community Development Corporations and other NPOs

to learn about
TOOLS/SERVICES FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
and
get the latest from the
CHICAGO DIGITAL ACCESS ALLIANCE’s
CAMPAIGN FOR A COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT
and the
CHICAGO WIRELESS INITIATIVE

Weds. Jan. 24, 10 AM
Allison United Foundation for Better Living
4540 W. Washington Blvd.

RSVP: 312- 212-3623

Join Angela Stuber of Grassroots.org and Joseph Mouzon of Network for Good for a discussion of free and low-cost online services for nonprofits. Learn how your organization can apply for free web hosting, free first year domain registration, free volunteer web design, and an affordable online donation system. We’ll discuss how to best utilize these tools and others.

Illinois Community Technology Movement Derailed by State Budget

Thu, 04 May 2006 23:42:58 -0400

On April 28 HB3650, known as the Digital Literacy Act was signed into law by Governor Blagojevich.

Are we making progress in the policy agenda to advance Digital Literacy, Access & Equity in Illinois? The letter of the law makes it seem that we are.

But the letter of the law is inadequate: the 2007 budget did not include an appropriate level of investment in digital literacy and access programs for Illinois.

The state budget, passed May 4th includes appropriations of $3 million for the Digital Divide Elimination Fund from General Revenues.

Legislative will is not demonstrated by nicely worded acts recognizing a level of need in our communities. Legislative will is demonstrated by determination to meet that need.

Digital Literacy Act 2006 becomes Law

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 19:35:56 -0400

We're making progress in the policy agenda to advance Digital Literacy, Access & Equity in Illinois!

Today HB3650, known as the Digital Literacy Act was signed into law by Governor Blagojevich.

We have much to be proud of, but our efforts must not cease at this critical juncture.

The letter of the law is inadequate if the 2007 budget does not include the appropriate level of investment.

Our coalition has recommended that the Eliminate the Digital Divide program and supportive efforts receive an allocation of $8 Million for the coming year.

The allocation of these funds is by no means secure, and time is running out in the budget negotiations.

OHIO GUBENATORIAL CANDIDATE'S PLATFORM INCLUDES $5 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 13:32:33 -0500

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Ted Strickland recently announced a campaign platform that will include $5 million for Community Technology Projects. This nationally unprecedented figure marks a great success for OCCN (Ohio Community Computing Network-- http://www.ohioccn.org ), an Ohio nonprofit with member sites around the state.

Public Launch of the Coalition - Feb 16

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 08:25:11 -0500

Thursday, February 16 was Illinois' Community Technology Day. Our new Coalition gathered together in Springfield to publicly announce ourselves to Illinois' legislators and to affirm our commitment to grassroots values in the cause of Digital Literacy, Access & Equity.

Meeting at ComputerBanc, a Springfield CTC/Computer Recycling Center we reflected on our core values and the status and history of Digital Literacy efforts in Illinois. We closed our meeting with some words from Marty Cohen, currently Director of Consumer Affairs in the Office of the Governor.

Blogging for Illinois- Resources for Non-Profits

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 01:40:29 -0500

A new blogspot resource for Illinois non-profits seeking funding:

http://nonprofitillinois.blogspot.com/

HB 3650 passes Legislature!

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 16:51:39 -0500

Good news! HB 3650 has passed through the Illinois Legislature and now goes to the Governor!

With near unanimous support, our big question is how much will be allocated in the budget.

Illinois Community Technology Day '06

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 03:00:10 -0500

February 16, 2006 we will convene Illinois Community Technology Day in Springfield. We kick-off the day with the launch of the Illinois Community Technology Coalition (ilCTC) the way all coalitions should be launched: in an open, working meeting, where we'll set the agenda and commit ourselves to the cause. And we want you to be there. ComputerBanc, 11 AM, sharp. Address: 1023 E Washington, Springfield, IL 62703.

Click here for a map and to get driving directions from your location.

Computerbanc is located on the northwest corner of 11th and Washington, in the back of the building. The door has a sign and faces north.

Following the meeting and lunch, we'll head over to the capitol building so that the legislators know we're in town.

So, will you join us?

All we ask is that you register ahead of time, so we know to expect you.

If you are coming from Chicago and would like to reserve a seat on the bus... register on CTCNetChicago.org.

All others, please register here.

Funding Opportunity: Next Round Open for DCEO Eliminate the Digital Divide Grants - RFP due March 17

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 23:37:46 -0500

The awardees of the recent Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity(DCEO) Eliminate the Digital Divide (CTC) grant round should be announced soon if they havent been already, and guess what? It's time for the next grants round under DCEO…

Is there a Community Technology Center in your (Illinois) community?
No? Then maybe you partner up and should start one.
Yes? Then they probably ought to apply.

CTCNet Chicago and the ilCTC want to document Digital Literacy efforts in Illinois, contact us to get inolved in the Statewide Coalition and join a Network dedicated to Digital Literacy, Access & Equity.

Springfield Workshop: Expanding Assistive Technology and Software

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 17:02:30 -0500

The information and technology presented will introduce you to the concept of assisting everyone meet the ever-increasing reading demands of the Information Age. Employers, case managers, and educators will gain valuable information and ideas to increase the productivity using technology for aging workers, those with disabilities and students. The 2 hour session will be held on January 30, 2006 from 3:30 - 5:30 pm at the Capitol City Center, 130 West Mason, Springfield, Il.

Computer Banc will present, David Grass who is the founder/director of Northern Illinois Center for Adaptive Technology in Rockford, IL, which serves 9 northern Illinois counties since 1989. David has a background in mechanical engineering and has taught children with disabilities for 30 years. He teaches under-graduate and graduate level courses in Assistive Technology at Northern Illinois University. David is a past member of the Board of Directors for Alliance for Technology Access and is a contributing editor for the publication Computer Resources for People With Disabilities. David was awarded the Tom Morales Award in July 2005, this Alliance for Technology Access national award is presented to an individual for their outstanding work to increase the use of technology by people with disabilities and functional limitations by advocating for providing services in their community.

ilCTC Statement of Principles

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 17:14:13 -0500

DIGITAL LITERACY &
COMMUNITY NETWORKS MATTER

in improving Quality of Life,
Civic Engagement and Community Productivity

Version 1.2, January 2006,

We, as persons engaged in civic improvements, or as managers, instructors and technology support staff and volunteers or financial or in-kind supporters of Community Technology access and training in community, afterschool, library, workforce, community college, health care, public parks and other local public access centers and consumer information kiosks in public and nonprofit human service agencies and small business community enterprise support centers, and in pre-school to postsecondary education school settings, and as supporters of the Illinois vision of a statewide Human Services Learning Network, do hereby state and affirm that:

GovTech.Net article: Blagojevich proposes Telephone Records Privacy Legislation

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 14:57:21 -0500

http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=97802

More articles like this will be needed to mobilize the State to protect our privacy.

Stay Informed: Subscribe to ilCTC Bulletin

Fri, 06 Jan 2006 16:36:17 -0500

The ilCTC Bulletin is a Broadcast Distribution List. You may subscribe here.

Why not One Laptop Per Child?

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:09:35 -0500

Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is promoting the I-Connect Laptop Initiative.

According to the press release the I-Connect program would provide every seventh-grader in Illinois with a laptop by closing a loop-hole in Illinois tax code.

We're pleased to see the forward thinking that will put technology in the hands of Illinois' youth.

The estimated cost is $300 per student, factoring in expenses related to the support of these computers, including professional development for teachers, maintenance, curriculum, etc. We're glad they are taking these other costs into account. We'd also like to see how these estimates were calculated... but more importantly...