Finding a Path: Mapping the Eviction Support System in Cook County

When finances get tight and people are having trouble paying rent, it can be difficult to ask for help, let alone figure out where to get support services. While Cook County, IL (Chicago and surrounding suburbs) has a strong continuum of care that supports people once they face eviction, how to get assistance before it gets to the point of eviction may not be obvious for community members. 

The journey maps below document the process an individual must go through to find financial assistance before, during, and after the eviction process in Cook County. As part of New America Chicago’s research into the pre-eviction prevention ecosystem, the maps identify the programs and resources available to individuals and families through direct service providers. More importantly, the journey maps are informed by interviews with stakeholders at different stages of the eviction process and some that work directly with Chicagoland residents who have experienced eviction or are at risk of eviction. 

Across all three stages of the journey, several pain points emerge consistently: limited program funding, burdensome eligibility requirements, and long wait times when contacting 211 and 311. These maps are the first iteration and will continue to evolve as our research progresses and receive resident feedback.

VIEW JOURNEY MAPS