Lake County’s Digital Equity Coalition is proud of the work it’s done getting vulnerable populations connected to the modern world, but uncertainty lies ahead for it and many programs as COVID-era federal funding draws to a close.
The coalition is part of the broader Digital Growth Initiative, which came about when the Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plan was passed in December 2023 through the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The push is meant to “bridge the digital divide,” Digital Equity Manager Keay Crandall said.
The initiative has three key areas of work — affordability, access and adoption — with various projects falling under its umbrella.
According to Crandall, the on-the-ground work is done through the Digital Navigator Program, which teaches people basic digital literacy and computer skills — such as setting up an email account or their online portal with their health care provider — through workshops, video calls and classes.
Those who go through the training have the opportunity to receive their own laptop.
Looking at their numbers, Crandall said the coalition has hit some “big milestones,” in services and engagement with the community.
Between June of 2024 and November of 2025, Crandall said nearly 3,700 residents have been served over almost 3,000 group and individual training sessions, distributing 965 new and refurbished laptops. By year’s end, she expected they would serve about 4,000 residents.
“We’re really proud of those metrics,” Crandall said. “It showcases what our internal team of 10 and our external community partners … have been able to accomplish together over the last year or so.”
Digital Equity Coordinator Kim Lunt said the Digital Equity Coalition is made of “community anchor institutions” — organizations such as libraries, community centers and local government entities, where people can convene and receive essential services.
Meeting monthly, the coalition is a “forum for partners and residents to come together and connect on digital equity work.”
While the initiative is funded through the end of 2026, Deputy County Administrator Matt Meyers said it’s one of various programs using the $135 million Lake County received through ARPA that they are trying to ensure are sustained past 2026.
Over 80 projects are running using ARPA funding, Meyers said, with the federal money needing to be used up by Dec. 31, 2026, or be returned.
“The Lake County Board, one of the things that they wanted to ensure was that when we start these programs … how do we ensure that we can try and sustain them, and that we’re not just cutting them off as soon as the funding is gone,” Meyer said.
That was something they are still looking into, he said, with the next year to figure out funding.
Three device distribution events are planned for 2026, as well as continued work with community organizations, Crandall said. They were also taking applications from Lake County organizations for North Star digital literacy licenses, so they can provide the assessments and even the free laptops.
Looking ahead, Crandall said they’re also working on public Wi-Fi projects in Waukegan and North Chicago, hoping to implement public networks in the downtown areas, as well as training for those who may not have internet access at home.
The modern era is built around digital access and skills, Lunt said, making it a “necessity.”
“Everything is online, and ultimately there is a big gap, known as the digital divide,” Lunt said. “There are many folks that land in this area where they don’t have the skills to navigate, they don’t have the device, they don’t have the internet, or they don’t have a combination of any of those three things.”