‘Eliminate the Digital Divide’ Grant Will Prepare Workers for Better Jobs

CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the awarding of a $40,000 technology grant through his Opportunity Returns program that will allow hundreds of Peoria residents to receive critical training in technology literacy.  The grant program, known as Eliminate the Digital Divide, provides funding to local community technology centers in low-income communities to provide technology skills training and access to computers and the Internet.  Since technology literacy today is a necessity to competing for and succeeding in well-paying jobs, this program teaches essential skills to people whom often lack access to important educational opportunities that will help prepare them for a 21st Century job.

“Expanding access to the Internet and technology goes hand-in-hand with giving children and working people all across Illinois the chance to learn more and get ahead.  The grant we're announcing today to the Tri-County Urban League will give this dedicated local organization the opportunity to help hundreds of people do better in school or in their jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.  

The Tri-County Urban League is using the $40,000 grant to expand services at its community technology center to support the daily use of computer and technology training.  Approximately 500 individuals are benefiting from the computer literacy activities.  Tri-County (Peoria) Urban League, Inc is a non-for-profit agency serving the Peoria community with the mission to improve the educational, economic and social well-being of disadvantaged individuals living in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and McLean counties.  The agency is strategically located in the neighborhood where Peoria’s Title I schools have the highest concentrations of low-income families qualifying for free/reduced lunches.  Contact Info: Laraine Bryson, (309) 672-4366

“The Eliminate the Digital Divide program is providing low-income residents in our area with an education in technology literacy that is absolutely essential in today’s society.  This program is a tremendous community resource and a great example of how Gov. Blagojevich’s grassroots approach to economic development is making a major impact in people’s lives,” said State Senator George Shadid (D-Pekin).

In addition to providing basic skills training needed to access and utilize computers and the Internet, a variety of technology access activities can be provided by the grant recipient including:

Vocational skills training related to information technology occupations;

Access to career information, employment opportunities, and related Internet job searches;

Computerized instruction in basic literacy skills, GED preparation, and English as a Second Language instruction, including distance-learning options;  

Professional development opportunities related to technology for teachers;

Computer based before and after school programs for academic enrichment and reinforcement; and

Promotion of home access to computers.

“This grant to the Tri-County Urban League is helping ensure that we are not leaving those from low-income communities behind in our efforts to build a more highly-educated, skilled and competitive workforce.  Gov. Blagojevich is committed to positioning our workforce to excel in the 21st Century economy, and this program is really a key element to realizing that objective,” Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin said.                  

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.