City of Chicago Tech Locator
TechLocator is a service to help Chicago residents and visitors find places that offer free or affordable technology resources and services, like computers with Internet access, Wi-Fi hotspots and technology training.
Many City departments and sister agencies provide technology resources and services to support these activities. For example, the Chicago Public Library’s Internet-connected computers and free Wi-Fi at its more than 70 library branches are available to all Chicago residents; the Department of Innovation and Technology provides free Wireless Internet Zones. Senior Centers have computer labs and technology training classes for residents aged 50+; the Department of Family and Support Services funds delegate agencies that provide computer access and training to underserved individuals seeking employment; and some Chicago Public Schools sites offer computer and Internet access and technology training opportunities to parents and caregivers.
TechLocator brings all these resources to one virtual place, allowing residents and visitors—including those with limited digital skills—to easily find convenient and publicly-accessible technology resources and services.
FREE GEEK Chicago
FreeGeek Chicago is a not-for-profit community organization that recycles used computers and parts to provide functional computers, education, internet access and job skills training to those who want them.
FreeGeek Chicago was founded in August 2005 as a collaboration of NPOTechs and Logan Square CTC to recycle computer technology and provide low- and no-cost computing to economically disadvantaged individuals and not-for-profit and social change organizations. FreeGeek Chicago does most of this work with volunteers, who disassemble the donated equipment and test the components, which are either recycled as electronic scrap or reused in refurbished systems.
FreeGeek Chicago is a democratically run organization that uses consensus for decision-making. Our policy decisions are made by a group of volunteers and staff called the council, and those policies are executed by our staff collective. Public meetings are posted on the calendar and discussed on the FreeGeek Talk mailing list.