Chicago Disability Report Reveals Disparities

New city data shows one in four adults live with a disability, concentrated on South and West sides.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 6:23pm

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A new report from the city of Chicago has revealed that one in four adults in the city are living with a disability, with the majority residing on the city's South and West sides. The report aims to help foster more inclusive social and built environments to address these disparities.

Why it matters

This data sheds light on the significant number of Chicagoans living with disabilities and the geographic concentration of these challenges, which can inform policy decisions and resource allocation to better support these communities.

The details

The report found that the prevalence of disability is highest in lower-income neighborhoods on Chicago's South and West sides, where over 30% of adults live with a disability. This highlights longstanding inequities in access to healthcare, transportation, and other resources that can compound the challenges faced by residents with disabilities.

  • The report was released on February 10, 2026.

The players

City of Chicago

The local government of Chicago, Illinois, which commissioned and released the new report on disability prevalence in the city.

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The takeaway

This data underscores the need for the city of Chicago to prioritize accessibility, inclusion, and equitable resource allocation to support the large population of residents living with disabilities, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods.