Thousands of computers are in warehouses as the Digital Divide continues to impact communities and individuals all over our state. There is an opportunity to change how the State of Illinois disposes its' end of life electronic assets (COMPUTERS!) that will allow these computers to be distributed to those who desperately need them.

Since 2007 Digital Divide efforts in Champaign-Urbana have impacted more than 5000 individuals with donated electronic surplus and equipment.  These collaborated efforts currently support 17 free computer labs through support from Parkland College, State Farm, Volo Broadband, the City of Champaign, and many others donor agencies. Each have an important role to play in the improving the digital literacy of our community. Our ability to add the State of Illinois as a partner in this effort will exponentially improve our impact on the Digital Divide, as well as hundreds of similar programs across the state.

How Can I Support This Effort?

Click the link below to add your or your non-profit to the growing list of agencies in support of changing the State of Illinois' electronic surplus policy.

http://bit.ly/Illinois-surplus

More about the Law

This initiative's framework is based on Executive order 12999.  The Executive Order signed in 1996 by President Bill Clinton, mandates the “efficient transfer of educationally useful federal equipment to schools and nonprofit organizations”. Our goal is to allow Illinois State Agencies to directly donate electronic surplus to nonprofits and educational institutions.

By definition the EO states: In order to ensure that American children have the skills and equipment they need to succeed in the information intensive 21st century, the federal government has committed and with the private sector to promote four major developments in American education: make modern computer technology an integral part of every classroom, connect classrooms to the National Information Infrastructure, encourage the creation on educational software, promote professional development so teachers use new technologies effectively. 

How to reach our goal: Find support from citizens and our elected officials to break down barriers in order to have access to electronic surplus (computers).  We can use the Federal Governments EO-12999 to “Ensuring the Opportunity for All children in the Next Century” as our guiding policy model.

Together we will make a change. 

Thank You,