Programs

Since the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in the United States in January 2020, the virus has infected over 40 million and has been the cause of death for over 649,000 Americans. Within the City of Chicago, over 300,000 Chicagoans have been infected and over 5,800 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. The disease has not affected all communities equally; it has disproportionately hospitalized and killed Black and Latinx communities. As of September 7, 2021, Black and Latinx residents accounted for 40% and 33% of all Chicago COVID-19 deaths, respectively, while they each represent 28% of Chicago’s total population.

In addition to the severe loss of life and health, the disease has had a devasting impact on the national and Chicago economy. As infections spread, social distancing became a necessity, businesses shuttered, schools transitioned to remote learning and travel was drastically reduced. These measures, which were designed to preserve life, led to unemployment, food and housing insecurity, gaps in educational attainment and exacerbation of mental health issues. Again, these impacts were disproportionately felt by low-income, Black and Latinx populations.

Additional details on the demographics of residents served coming soon.