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

CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the awarding of nearly $230,000 in innovative technology grants through his Opportunity Returns program that will allow hundreds of Southern Illinois 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 grants we're announcing today will give dedicated local organization across Southern Illinois the opportunity to help hundreds of people do better in school or in their jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.  

The nearly $230,000 in grant funding will go to six community technology centers across the Southern region.  Those grant recipients are:

Grantee Name/Contact                                Location                        Amount

John A. Logan College                                        West Frankfurt                        $40,000
Robin Pauls (618) 985-2828 x8482

Harrisburg Public Library District                        Harrisburg                        $18,000
Ruth Miller (618) 253-7455

Shawnee Community College                                Karnak & Anna                $48,642
Elaine Johnson (618) 634-3391

Five County Regional Vocational System                Tamms                                $35,519
Debra Spomer (618) 747-2703

Illinois Migrant Council                                        Cobden                        $40,000
Jeri Kinser (618) 893-1922

Regional Office of Education                                Cairo                                $45,172                

Dan Anderson (618) 634-2292

“These fine community organizations in our region are dedicated to improving the lives of so many people, and these Eliminate the Digital Divide grants will help enhance the great work they do by making the Internet and other basic computer skills accessible to more people.  Through programs like these, Gov. Blagojevich is making enormous strides at bridging our technology gap,” State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) said.  

“Technology literacy becomes more essential in our society every day.  Gov. Blagojevich understands that when we increase access to the Internet and to learning fundamental computer skills, we increase access to economic opportunity.   These grants are a tremendous resource for our community,” State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg).

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.

“Education programs like these are really the building blocks to creating a more highly skilled and diversified workforce that provide businesses with the essential resources they need to thrive.  Gov. Blagojevich’s innovative program is opening doors to a vast number of career paths, expanding individual economic opportunity and strengthening the economic portfolio of the entire region,” 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.