Cook County collected more than 35,000 pounds of used government equipment and turned it into refurbished computers for residents who needed them. That single effort captures what strong county digital inclusion programs look like in practice: they treat internet access, devices, and digital skills as core public infrastructure, not optional extras.
For county leaders facing a persistent broadband gap, Cook County, Illinois offers one of the clearest playbooks in the country. The county’s Digital Inclusion Week has grown into a national model, and the pieces behind it are ones any county can adapt. This article breaks down what Cook County built, why it worked, and how a County Executives of America member county is running a parallel effort of its own.
Why County Digital Inclusion Programs Matter
The broadband gap is a county government problem. When residents can’t get online, they lose access to job applications, telehealth visits, remote school, and basic government services. Counties sit close enough to the problem to solve it, which is why county digital inclusion programs have spread quickly over the past few years.
The work usually breaks into three fronts: affordable internet access, access to devices, and digital skills training. A county that addresses only one leaves residents stuck. Cook County’s approach is worth studying because it tackles all three at once, and it builds a repeatable annual structure around them. Digital access also feeds civic engagement, since residents who are online can follow public meetings, complete census forms, and register to vote.
Inside Cook County’s Digital Inclusion Week
Cook County anchors its digital equity work to an annual Digital Inclusion Week. During the 2024 event, the county hosted 52 events in partnership with community organizations, libraries, and institutions. The events ran the full range from digital literacy classes to hands-on device help.
The device work stands out. More than 35,000 pounds of equipment from Cook County government entities were donated to PCs for People for refurbishment and return to the community. Working with the nonprofit Compudopt, the county distributed over 960 laptops and 210 high-speed internet devices to households.
This did not happen by accident. In 2023, Board President Toni Preckwinkle released Cook County’s first Digital Equity Action Plan, a strategic framework to give residents equitable access to digital infrastructure, devices, and tools. The county also passed a resolution to recognize Digital Inclusion Week every year going forward, which turned a one-time event into a standing commitment.
The national recognition followed. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance named Cook County a 2024 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, and the county’s digital inclusion work contributed to its record 78 NACo Achievement Awards in 2025.
What Made the Program Work
Cook County’s results came from a few design choices that other counties can copy directly.
- Partnerships did the heavy lifting. The county did not try to deliver every service itself. It worked through libraries, community organizations, and device nonprofits like PCs for People and Compudopt.
- Existing assets became infrastructure. Retired government computers turned into refurbished devices for residents, which cut both waste and cost.
- A written plan created accountability. The Digital Equity Action Plan gave the work measurable goals instead of good intentions.
- A recurring event built momentum. Making Digital Inclusion Week annual meant the program compounded. By 2025, the event had grown to more than 100 community events and a dedicated learning symposium.
Each of these is available to a county of almost any size. The device refurbishment model in particular scales down well, since most counties already retire computers every year.
How Counties Can Build Their Own Digital Inclusion Program
Counties looking to launch or expand digital inclusion programs can follow the pattern these two counties share.
- Write a digital equity plan first. A short strategic document turns scattered efforts into a coordinated program with measurable goals.
- Map your partners. Libraries, community groups, and device nonprofits already do this work. Convene them rather than competing with them.
- Reuse what you have. Retired county devices, library spaces, and existing broadband grants are assets most counties already hold.
- Make it recurring. An annual event or standing initiative keeps the work visible and compounding year over year.
- Document the outcomes. Counts of devices distributed, residents trained, and homes connected build the case for continued funding and national recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are county digital inclusion programs?
They are county government efforts to close the digital divide by expanding affordable internet access, distributing devices, and teaching digital skills.
What did Cook County’s Digital Inclusion Week accomplish?
The 2024 event featured 52 partner events, donated more than 35,000 pounds of equipment for refurbishment, and distributed over 960 laptops and 210 internet devices to households.
Do these programs win national recognition?
Yes. Cook County’s digital inclusion work helped earn a record 78 NACo Achievement Awards in 2025 and a 2024 NDIA Digital Inclusion Trailblazer designation.
How can a smaller county start a digital inclusion program?
Begin with a short digital equity plan, partner with your library system and local device nonprofits, and reuse retired county computers. These steps require coordination more than large capital spending.
The Takeaway
County digital inclusion programs close a gap that touches jobs, health, and education, and they are within reach for counties of any size. Cook County built a national model through partnerships, device reuse, and a recurring annual structure. Map your county’s partners and existing assets, and you have the foundation for a program worth recognizing.
Interested in how award-winning counties turn programs like these into national recognition? Explore more county innovation stories and the NACo Achievement Awards process.