Statewide programs

For Illinois residents struggling to pay for internet services, there are a few programs that can help. 

The Lifeline Program is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone and internet. To be eligible for Lifeline, individuals or families must receive benefits under one of the following programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension

In 2021, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program). The ACP is a benefit program that helps households afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. If you are eligible for both the Affordable Connectivity Program and the Lifeline program, you can apply for and participate in both programs. Only one ACP benefit and one device discount are allowed per household. That is, up to the full cost of your monthly broadband service. To be eligible for ACP, you must be in one of the following categories: 

• In a Lifeline or a Lifeline-qualifying program
• Have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• In the free and reduced price school lunch or breakfast program (including the Community Eligibility Provision)
• WIC
• Have a federal Pell Grant
• Or, in a participating service provider’s existing low-income program.

You can easily find out if you can qualify for ACP low-cost internet and computers in your area by entering your zip code and answering a few questions.

Chicago specific programs

In Chicago, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) established the Chicago Connected program. It provides free high-speed internet service to approximately 100,000 CPS students. Students may qualify for either high-speed internet or a district-provided hotspot at no cost. Students who qualify for high-speed internet will be assigned an activation code. You can confirm your eligibility online. You can find more information on the Chicago Connected website.

The ChicagoWiFi is also a Chicago based program. It provides free public wireless access available at City facilities throughout Chicago. Wireless Internet Zones are available at all Chicago Public Library locations and in other public places around the city including the Cultural Center (78 E. Washington), Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington), and Millennium Park (55 N. Michigan).

Other options

There are other ways to receive low-cost internet even if you do not qualify for the Lifeline program and ACP. These eligibility requirements for these programs are often broader than those for ACP. You can browse these programs under “Low-Cost Plans.”

If you don’t qualify for the programs above, there are other ways to access free internet. 

You can visit a drive-up WiFi spot. This is a place you can drive your car to that will allow your child to access the internet for remote learning purposes. See the Drive-Up Hotspot Map to find a  WiFi spot near you.

Additionally, there are legal self-help centers that offer public Internet access. Legal self-help centers do not provide legal advice or help in filling out court forms. A legal self-help center is a place where you can learn about the law, your legal rights, and how to go to court. 

Some have computers for your use, and some also have wi-fi that allows Internet access from your own laptop. If you want to take your own laptop and use, for example, a library's wi-fi you may need to obtain a password from the library staff.  Some libraries also shut off the wi-fi when they are closed.

Some libraries limit access to card-holders only. If you are not a card-holder, please call ahead to be sure access is available to you.

Using public wi-fi networks is not without risk. Read up on how to safely use public wi-fi networks.