Press Release: Illinois Achieves Statewide 211 Coverage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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 https://211illinois.org
• 211 is available 24/7 via phone, text, and online search
• Access: Call 211, text your ZIP code to 898211, or visit https://211illinois.org and click “Search for Help”

Gurnee, Illinois — April 29, 2026

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.

MEDIA CONTACT

Edward Perry

Executive Director

211 Illinois

executivedirector@211illinois.org

217-717-3002, ext. 523

ABOUT 211 ILLINOIS

211 Illinois coordinates and supports the statewide 211 system, working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services and regional providers. The organization ensures Illinois residents can access a free, confidential service that connects them to essential resources, including housing, food, healthcare, and mental health support, through phone, text, and online search.