Technology Resources

Chicago Connected

• Chicago Connected is a groundbreaking program that will provide free high-speed internet service to approximately 100,000 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students.

AT&T

• ​AT&T is expanding “Access from AT&T,” our low-cost home internet offering to qualifying households. AT&T will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited-income families at $10 a month through our Access from AT&T program.
• They’ve expanded eligibility to Access from AT&T to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start.
• Additionally, they offer new Access from AT&T customers for two months of free service.
• All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers can use unlimited internet data.
• AT&T is redirecting more resources to provide communication services and tools for first responders, health care professionals, educators, and other essential customers. This additional support will help ensure these customers can continue providing critical support to the country and their communities, particularly first responders using the FirstNet network.

Spectrum Internet Assist

• ​Get high-speed internet at an affordable price. Spectrum Internet Assist is available exclusively to qualified households.

Comcast

• Comcast is taking steps to implement the following new policies for the next 60 days and other important initiatives:
• Comcast has opened its Home Hotspot network for all non-Comcast customers. If you rent router/WiFi equipment from Comcast, you can enable it to help out those around you in this unprecedented time of need. Comcast promotes it as secure and will not impact your own network experience. Plus, they have removed any network caps for the next two months. Considering all Illinois schools will be closed for the next few weeks, sharing your resources with your neighbors could help students out (regardless if they are our specific students). Please consider turning this option on at the following: https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/disable-xfinity-wifi-home-hotspot 
• Pausing Our Data Plan: With so many people working and educating from home, we want our customers to access the internet without thinking about data plans. While most of our customers do not come close to using 1TB of data in a month, we are pausing our data plans for 60 days giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge.
• No Disconnects or Late Fees: We will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact us and let us know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Our care teams will be available to offer flexible payment options and can help find other solutions.

Mediacom

• Available to families with students on free or reduced lunch.
• The regular price is $9.95 + tax per month, and there’s no installation fee. 

Internet First

• Affordable internet access to qualifying low-income households.
• Participants in public assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others qualify.
• Must live in a serviceable area
• The first 60 days are free!

Free and Low-Cost Internet Plans

• Updated on September 26, 2020.
• All offers are less than $20/month total cost (with no installation fees).

EveryoneOn Low-Cost Internet Service & Affordable Computers

• Low-cost internet solutions for K-12 Students
• Varies different companies, including AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Frontier, and more

ComEd CHAMP

• Eligibility:
  • Deployed members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves Veterans who were honorably discharged
  • Reside within ComEd’s northern Illinois service territory and demonstrate a hardship

Computer Lottery

• Comp-U-Dopt has set up a computer lottery for community members without access to a computer at home.
• To qualify for a computer, you must not have access to a working computer at home, and you must have a child in K-12 education in the Chicago area.

Drive-up Wi-Fi Hotspots

• Map of drive-up Wi-Fi hotspots

Guide to Creating a Secure Home Wireless Network

• Learn how to set up a secure wireless network at home to prevent identity theft or neighbors using your Wi-fi.

How to Troubleshoot Your Home Internet in 9 Easy Steps

• Learn how to troubleshoot your home internet in nine easy steps, from checking your internet speed to the firmware.