By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Chandler’s mayor and City Council recognized, at a July 14 regular meeting, those who contributed to the city recently being chosen for what it considers a prestigious honor.

Chandler was named a recipient of a 2025 International Data Corporation Smart Cities North America Award.

The city was given the award for its real-time language assistance pilot program, known locally as “ILA.” Over a six-month period, staff successfully integrated real-time translation devices across more than 20 city divisions, enhancing communication and making services more inclusive and accessible for all residents.

Mayor Kevin Hartke read a brief about the recognition.

“This was an impressive team effort,” he said.

Chandler Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Nikki Tapia said she’s grateful to all who helped “connect people and purpose with technology.”

“The employees are the ones using these devices,” Tapia said. “Their enthusiasm, their creativity, their real-life experiences really helped make this first deployment a success, and thanks to them, we’re well on our way to ensuring all residents, no matter language or ability, feel seen, heard, and better-served by their government.”

Chandler Chief Information Officer Sandip Dholakia said his own mother used the technology while downtown for an event.

“Later, someone at the Senior Center, someone said they don’t feel nervous about going into a city facility to do business, because they know they can communicate,” Dholakia said.

Tapia, Dholakia and other contributors took photos with Mayor Hartke and Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins.

Also on hand to be recognized July 14 for their contributions to the project were Presiding Magistrate Alicia Skupin; C.C. Cantabrana of Chandler Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Information Technology specialist Charles Ferrer; Jairo Garcia of Chandler Municipal Court and Crystal Castanon-Nino and Erika Berry of the Tumbleweed Rec Center.

Tapia told Independent Newsmedia that others participating in the project include Ivan Enriquez of the City Clerk’s office, library branch manager Susan Van Horne, Jody Crago of the Chandler Museum, Anthony Baumann of the Community/Senior Center, Corina Meister and Erandi Ortiz Galvan of Utilities, Karin Bishop of Community Development, Sam Ruizof the Chandler Center for the Arts, Hermelinda Llamas of Special Events, Tiffany Stoyak of Water Conservation, Ken Kung of Chandler Municipal Court, Elizabeth Herbert of the city’s Law department, Jessica Westmiller of the Chandler Fire Department and Doug Reed of Chandler Police Department Records.

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Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.