The field of alternate response has matured significantly over the past few years, particularly within the context of a nationwide push to reimagine public safety. A recent report found that the majority of Chicago’s 911 calls are related to non-urgent matters like car accidents, mental or physical health issues, or noise complaints.

The Chicago region is the last major metropolitan area that does not have 211, an easy-to-remember resource for residents to access human and social services 24/7 by phone, text, and website. Without a 211 line, residents must navigate over a dozen call lines for different services, operated by multiple agencies. Implementing a 211 system has long been a goal for City and County officials, community- based organizations, and the philanthropic community. The COVID-19 Recovery Task Force also identified 211 implementation as a high priority and both the City and County allocated ARPA funding to establish a 211 system.

In July 2021, Chicago’s City Council passed the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance. This landmark ordinance creates two bodies: a new city agency called the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), with power to advance systemic reform, and District Councils, which will be elected in each police district and work to improve policing and public safety in the district. The Commission and District Councils will give community members powerful new tools to provide oversight of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), COPA (Civilian Office of Police Accountability), and the Police Board, while promoting meaningful community engagement to build and implement public safety solutions.