Hernandez Highlights Free Wi-Fi Hotspots for Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

AURORA, Ill. – As schools across the state will remain closed and continue to hold classes online because of the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is encouraging students without access to the internet to utilize free drive-up Wi-Fi hotspots to do school work.

“E-learning is necessary to educate our students while schools are closed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but it may come with several challenges for many students and families as they adjust to this new type of schooling,” said Hernandez. “While this disruption is affecting all students, this transition is a problem for students who do not have access to the necessary resources to succeed, like reliable Wi-Fi for e-learning.”

Hernandez is highlighting a new online Wi-Fi hotspot map recently released by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that allows students to find nearby Wi-Fi access to use when participating in e-learning classes, doing homework and other online school activities. Hernandez is highlighting a local library in the district offering free drive-up Wi-Fi, the Messenger Public Library, located at 113 Oak St. in North Aurora. Students, parents and guardians are asked to continue practicing social distancing by staying in their cars when at these hotspot locations and to only use it for school-related purposes. The list for all Wi-Fi hotspots in the state can be found at: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/resources-for-families-and-children.

“There is a lot to be done to address inequities in resources and the ability for students to access them, especially right now during this pandemic” said Hernandez. “These free Wi-Fi hotspots are a great step in giving more access to students in our community, and I encourage families in need to utilize them.”