When 211 Metro Chicago launched in January, we already knew the significant need for this free health and social service helpline. The pandemic proved that awareness of and access to social services was extremely limited in Cook County, with residents unsure where to turn as they struggled with basic needs.
Further, many of the more than 6.1 million calls Chicago’s 911 and 311 received last year were social service requests that 211 could have met if it had been available.
