Illinois Announces April as Innovation and Technology Month

On Friday, Gov. JB Pritzker announced that April will be Innovation and Technology Month in the state of Illinois. The announcement follows a proclamation signed March 25.

“The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) is proud to recognize IT Month in Illinois through a variety of initiatives that strengthen our state’s digital direction,” said Illinois CIO and DoIT Acting Secretary Jennifer Ricker in the announcement.

Specifically, Ricker cited the state’s use of artificial intelligence, offering of more accessible websites and broadband expansion.

IT Month aims to underline the state’s role in the quantum computing space, with two of the five National Quantum Science Research Centers located in the state. On April 14, DoIT will host a World Quantum Day event: a webinar explaining quantum science and its importance to help attendees understand related career opportunities.

The announcement also emphasized the state’s commitment to strengthening education curriculum to expand the IT and STEM workforce.

The state’s Illinois Century Network has helped expand broadband access in public schools, with almost half of K-12 public districts taking part. And as stated in the proclamation, all school districts beginning with the 2022-23 school year are to give students at each grade level chances to obtain computer literacy skills.