The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) and Comcast have a new partnership to support students who need to participate in their schools’ remote learning programs.
Through the Internet Essentials Partnership Program (IEPP), HACC will provide 10 months of free in-home, high-speed Internet service to nearly 14,000 children residing in over 6,500 households across suburban Cook County.
The program is funded by dollars allocated to the County through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“It is estimated that one-quarter of our Cook County residents lack high-speed internet, and those rates are much higher for people of color,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “We cannot allow a quarter of Cook County to fall further behind as we recover, digitally, during the next phase of this crisis."
Under the agreement, HACC will purchase 10 months of Comcast’s Internet Essentials service on behalf of eligible Housing Authority residents with school-age children who enroll by December 31, 2020.
HACC has begun to reach out to eligible families regarding program registration information. Residents can also reach out to haccinternet@thehacc.org or 312-663-5447 with questions.
For more information on the IEPP, please visit http://corporate.comcast.com/internet-essentials-partnership-program.