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"The landmark settlement with the perpetrators of the opioid epidemic is a milestone in <br /> righting the wrongs this crisis has caused," said State Rep. Camille Lilly (D- <br /> Chicago). "Addiction is a multifaceted issue that should be approached with <br /> compassion for it not only affects the individual or family,but our communities and <br /> society as a whole. I'm grateful for the community service providers that have stepped <br /> up to care for the families and communities hit hardest by addiction, and this settlement <br /> will help support their efforts." <br /> "30,000 Illinoisans use heroin every year, 74,00o have an OUD, and nearly 400,000 <br /> misuse prescription opiates," said State Representative La Shawn Ford (D- <br /> Chicago). "Illinois saw over 2200 opioid-related deaths in the first three quarters of <br /> 2020, a 36 percent increase from 2oig. This $26 billion opioid settlement agreement <br /> will help offset the $41 billion total economic and social cost of OUD and fatal opioid <br /> overdoses in Illinois. Responding to the opioid epidemic and treating OUD demands <br /> access to, availability, and affordability of high-quality, evidenced-based acute treatment <br /> services and a robust network of recovery supports. As a member of the Advisory <br /> Committee for the Illinois Remediation Fund, I will work with the Governor and <br /> Attorney General's team to help save lives in Illinois from preventable fatal overdoses." <br /> Additionally,Attorney General Raoul's office negotiated the Illinois Opioid Allocation <br /> Agreement to ensure the funds Illinois received through this and any future settlements <br /> are allocated equitably to counties and municipalities.The majority of Illinois' money <br /> will go to the Illinois Remediation Fund to be used for abatement programs throughout <br /> the state. An advisory board will be established as a subcommittee of the state's Opioid <br /> Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee to make recommendations that <br /> prioritize the equitable distribution of the money in the Fund. The board will consider <br /> factors including population, opioid usage rates, overdose deaths and the amount of <br /> opioids shipped into a region. <br /> IDHS urges any Illinois resident who believes they or a loved one may be addicted to <br /> opioids to seek help by calling the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances <br /> at 833-2FINDHELP,which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. <br /> For more information, log onto :/�heQ �iaanuLo [app/ _ <br />