Comcast announced that nearly 35,000 Chicago households – or about 140,000 city residents – have been able to gain access to broadband Internet service at home, many for the first time, through the company’s Internet Essentials program. Internet Essentials provides Internet service at home to eligible low-income families for about $10 per month. Across Illinois, more than 75,000 families – or about 300,000 residents – and nationwide, more than 600,000 income families – or about 2.4 million Americans – have gained access to the Internet at home through Internet Essentials since the program began in fall 2011. Comcast has expanded the program’s eligibility criteria multiple times since its inception in 2011, which underscores the company’s commitment to attacking the digital divide. Originally, only families with children eligible to receive a free school lunch from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) were eligible to participate. It was first expanded to children also eligible for the reduced price school lunch program. Comcast then expanded eligibility to include families with children in parochial, private, charter and cyber schools, as well as students who are home schooled. Last year, Comcast extended the program to low-income community college students in Illinois and Colorado. Internet Essentials includes download Internet speeds up to 10 Mbps, a free Wi-Fi router, access to free digital literacy training and the option to purchase a computer for less than $150. To apply, visit www.InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376.