SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — As Illinois continues to expand behavioral healthcare services, lawmakers are checking in to see how historic laws and opioid settlements have helped those most in need. The Illinois Department of Human Services explained Monday that millions of dollars are going towards drug treatment and community services.
"Many of us believe that behavioral health is healthcare and healthcare is a human right," said Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago). "If we don't get it right, we exacerbate the historical barriers to behavioral healthcare that have existed."
Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in 2020, and leaders stressed that the state would invest funding into communities most hurt by the war on drugs. 25% of the adult-use cannabis tax revenue goes towards mental health and addiction services.
"If you are suffering, there is help and you don't have to suffer alone because there are programs out there for you," said Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview). "Now, we just have to take that next step and make sure people know the programs that are available and the way we are funding those programs."
The Restore Reinvest Renew, or R3 program, was a critical part of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. State leaders said $127 million has been dispersed for mental health and addiction services this year. That's compared to roughly $80 million during 2023.
"CRTA allows for approaching mental health and substance use by focusing on social determinants and related concerns such as the historical overuse of the criminal justice system, concentrated poverty and violence," said Dr. Donell Barnet, the behavioral health advisor for the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Illinois is also expected to receive $772 million over the next 15 years through a national opioid settlement agreement. The state invests in street outreach and crisis intervention programs as well.
Yet, advocates told a joint committee of lawmakers Monday that Illinois can and should do more.
"Time is literally of the essence if you're desperately calling around looking for a bed or an outpatient opening or someone to prescribe medication because you have multiple complex comorbidities or polysubstance use," said Jeremy Klemanski, President of the Gateway Foundation. "And there are waiting lists. We should encourage our state oversight agencies to move funds as quickly as possible to organizations who can put that money to work helping people."
Klemanski also suggested Illinois could put a portion of the opioid settlement funding into a trust to earn interest and ensure the money doesn't run out.
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