Where does the Chicago Campaign for a Community Benefits Agreement stand?

According to the Feb 26th Tech Venue of the Chicago Sun-Times

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/272612,CST-FIN-TECH26.article

Hardik Bhatt, CIO of Chicago will be speaking at the Economic Development Council luncheon February 28, 2007 ... "Towards Digital Excellence in Chicago: Crossing the Digital Divide with Wi-Fi and Other Programs."

http://www.edcchicago.org/

This is a great moment for our Campaign. Mr. Bhatt is very familiar with the values of the CDAA and the materials sketching our vision of Digital Excellence. Mr. Bhatt has played close attention, along with other members of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Closing the Digital Divide, to the testimony offered by leaders in our movement.

What's happening next?

The Chicago Digital Access Alliance recently finalized some documents stating the platform, principles and proposed terms for a Community Benefits Agreement. We are now preparing their distribution to Aldermen and others across Chicago. The 10 principles have been extensively blogged around the world. There is a great deal of attention on Chicago, and we eagerly await the report of the Advisory Council on Closing the Digital Divide.

The path to Digital Excellence is clear.

We're in a very good position to build something great for our city, and happily the City's position actually paves the way for a Community Benefits Agreement. When we explain the CBA we find ourselves having to articulate the concept of public obligations for use of the right of way, and draw analogy to precedents such as the formation of the Cable Access Network agreements.

We know that Digital Excellence activities should be supported by the Network. Happily we don't have to make that case. Our position can be summed up succinctly:

The city is on the path to Digital Excellence, and the Community Benefits Agreement will make sure we don't get lost on the last mile. The city makes the bulk of the case for us, holding the vendors accountable for a funding mechanism to address Digital Literacy, Access and Equity. But, while the Wireless Network should fund this work, this work is not the core competence of the Wireless Vendors. We should put the decision making power and the resources from the Network at the disposal of community leaders and those with experience on the front lines of the Digital Divide. This is essential to Digital Excellence.

Our best to Hardik Bhatt, and deepest thanks to all who take up the vision of Digital Excellence. Chicago aspires to greatness: the greenest city, the city in a garden, the city where Digital Excellence is on the map. They are all connected.