NEWS
from the Illinois Senate
State Senator Susan Garrett
Majority Caucus Whip, 29th Senate District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Susan Garrett (847) 433-2002
2-1-1 CONNECTS CITIZENS TO VITAL STATE SERVICES
Lake Forest, IL- State Senator Susan Garrett (D - Lake Forest) announced today the signing of legislation that will allow Illinois residents easier access to state services.
The legislation, which Senator Garrett sponsored, creates a non-emergency 2-1-1 phone system to provide citizens with a quick and easy way to receive information about important services administered by various state agencies.
“The 2-1-1 phone system is a convenient way for the people of Illinois to obtain accurate information about state services available to their families," Garrett said. “It is not meant replace the 9-1-1 system as an emergency number, but rather to serve as an easy way for our citizens to find the help they need.”
Senate Bill 1922 designates the 2-1-1 information system as the official State dialing code for public access to information and referral for health and human services and information about access to services after a natural disaster. The legislation is designed to provide individuals with faster access to information about local and national social service programs.
“The 2-1-1 Service Act, will give residents throughout our state easy access to health and human services when they need them and where they need them,” said Jack Kaplan, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and United Way of Illinois, “because when they need help is not necessarily between the hours of 9 and 5. 2-1-1 will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”
"The State of Illinois provides countless health and human service programs aimed at helping Illinois citizens, but people don’t always know where to go to find information about these services," Garrett said. “This legislation will make it easier for people to learn about and access these services in Illinois.”
The new law goes into effect January 1, 2010.