Illinois Achieves Statewide 211 Coverage, Connecting All 102 Counties to Essential
Services
More than 12 million Illinois residents now have access to housing, food, healthcare, and
other critical support through 211 services, 24 hours a day.
MEDIA FAST FACTS
211 Illinois Statewide System:
• Serves more than 12 million Illinois residents statewide
• 187,257 calls and contacts handled in the past year
• 305,889 referrals to health and human services in the past year
• 35,000+ verified resources listed in the statewide directory at Home – 211 Illinois
• 211 is available 24/7 via phone, text, and online search
• Access: Call 211, text your ZIP code to 898211, or visit Home – 211 Illinois
click “Search for Help”
211 Illinois today announced the completion of statewide 211 coverage, ensuring that
every resident across all 102 Illinois counties can now access essential services through
the simple three-digit number 211.
This milestone expands access to critical resources, including housing assistance, food
support, healthcare, mental health services, and financial assistance through a
coordinated statewide system designed to connect individuals and families to help quickly
and efficiently.
“211 is a vital service and a core part of Illinois’ health and human services safety net,”
said Edward Perry, Executive Director of 211 Illinois. “With statewide coverage now in
place, every Illinois resident has a simple, reliable way to find help, 24 hours a day, by
calling, texting, or searching online.”
A Statewide Network of Support
211 Illinois serves as the lead coordinating entity for the state’s 211 system, providing
oversight, service standards, and strategic partnerships to ensure residents receive
accurate, up-to-date information about available resources.
The organization works in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services
(IDHS) to support implementation of the Illinois 211 Service Act and maintain a strong,
integrated statewide network.
“Every Illinois resident deserves to know where to turn in a moment of need,” said IDHS
Secretary Dulce M. Quintero. “Through our partnership with 211 Illinois, we are
strengthening how people across the state get the help they need, bringing greater stability
and support to families in every community.”
Impact by the Numbers
Over the past year, 211 specialists across Illinois:
• Responded to 187,257 calls and contacts
• Provided 305,889 referrals to local and statewide services
The statewide directory now includes more than 35,000 verified resources, helping
residents quickly find assistance for:
• Housing and utility support
• Food and nutrition programs
• Mental health and crisis services
• Healthcare access
• Caregiver support
• Disaster assistance
“Statewide 211 coverage is a major milestone for 211 Illinois,” said David Wortman,
Board Chair of 211 Illinois. “It ensures every resident can access trusted information and
navigate complex systems to find the help they need.”
How to Access 211
211 services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Residents can connect by:
• Calling 211
• Texting their ZIP code to 898211
• Visiting https://211illinois.org and selecting “Search for Help”
For communities experiencing difficulty reaching 211 by phone, 211 Illinois has
established a reporting form at https://211illinois.org/contact. The “Can’t Reach 211” form
helps identify and resolve connectivity issues in collaboration with telecommunications
providers, ensuring continuous statewide service access.
Learn More
For additional information about 211 in Illinois, visit 211illinois.org.