On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to approved $850,000 for a project aimed at improving digital equity. This funding, which was awarded to RAILS by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, will go towards the design and implementation of a Digital Navigator Network in suburban Cook County public libraries.
Digital navigators, as defined by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) "are trusted guides who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills." In working together, RAILS and Cook County seek to address gaps in digital access and knowledge disparities. Public libraries, as community hubs, are ideally positioned to address these gaps.
“The goal of this project is to empower communities through the guidance of their trusted public libraries,” said RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris. “This grant will allow for training that will equip residents with the skills and confidence to utilize technology for personal, educational, and professional purposes.”
This project will follow the recommendations made in the Cook County Digital Equity Action Plan, the Cook County Equity Fund, and an independent study conducted by an outside firm. This project also follows RAILS Strategic Plan Goal 2, modeling “best practices in equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion."
“We’re thrilled about this partnership with Cook County” said RAILS Director of Technology Services Anne Slaughter. “As the regional library system, we know that relatively small investments in libraries make big impacts within communities. This project represents a landmark collaboration between libraries and county government that will develop an exemplary new model for digital navigation.”
More information will be shared with eligible libraries as the project develops. For more information on RAILS broadband and digital equity efforts, please visit the RAILS Broadband and Digital Equity Pulse page.
For more information on this project, please contact RAILS Director of Technology Services Anne Slaughter, 630.734.5127.