211 Turns Two Years Old!
The Committee on Health and Human Relations recently held a hearing about the city’s 211 system to receive an overview of 211’s work and review statistics from the last year. Read on for a 211 overview, 48th Ward statistics, and citywide statistics. Visit the 211 website for more information.
2-1-1 is:
A free, easy-to-access 24/7/365 helpline
An information and referral resource, helping to connect people to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more
A go-to, accurate resource for any essential health and social service needs
2-1-1 is not A replacement for 9-8-8, 3-1-1, or 9-1-1.
211 Metro Chicago 48th Ward Report
211 responded to 4,790 contacts from the 48th Ward between January 2023 and August 2025.
211 offered more than 12,202 referrals to organizations based in the 48th ward
The highest number of 48th ward calls came in during July
Of requestors who provided demographic information, 58% were female, 40% were male, and 2.5% were transgender. 23% were ages 23-34 with the next most common age group being 55-64
The most requested services by 48th ward neighbors were housing, utility assistance, mental health/substance use, and food
211 Metro Chicago Full Statistics
248,988 phone contacts
3,623 text contacts
3,094 chat/email contacts
165,651 website visits
Top Needs: housing, utility assistance, access to food, income support
Of 211 Metro Chicago contacts handled, 83,562 were housing assistance calls through its three homelessness prevention contracts.
Residents ages 25-34 make up the largest 2-1-1 contact age group
Approximately 75% from within the City of Chicago, 25% from suburban Cook County
