Greetings, friends. I hope this message finds you well, particularly in this time of significant change. As we continue to courageously cope with the many uncertainties that lie ahead, I invite you to reflect on your personal values, the mission of your work, and what is in your control. Though it may seem that the world is acting upon us, we still have agency.
I encourage us all to continue using our collective voices in service of the health and well-being of our own families as well as the residents of Illinois. Now, more than ever, we need you, even the small steps forward matter. We're in this together.
Wishing you the very best,
Inger Burnett-Zeigler, PhD
Chief Behavioral Health Officer
Behavioral Health Priorities Survey
We would like to hear from all Illinois behavioral health stakeholders to learn more about the work you do, your current priorities, and barriers to executing your work. Most importantly, we also want to hear your insights on solutions to overcoming challenges that allow you to strive towards a behavioral health system service continuum that provides high-quality, effective, and equitable care for all of the people of Illinois. The information you provide in this survey will inform the CBHO's 2025 strategic plan.
The survey includes 18 questions and will take about 15 minutes to complete. Please complete the survey as thoroughly as possible. Survey completion is requested by May 2nd. A summary of the responses will be presented at the Kitchen Cabinet open meeting town hall on June 4, 2025.
Behavioral Health Priorities Survey
Integration of the Division of Mental Health and Division of Substance Use Prevention & Recovery
Governor J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order (pdf) on Friday, February 14, 2025, to reorganize the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). This reorganization will combine the Division of Mental Health (DMH) and Division of Substance Use Prevention & Recovery (SUPR) into one Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. This integration aims to improve access and quality services for individuals in need of both mental and substance use support. Additionally, this move is expected to reduce the administrative burden for the State, providers, and most importantly, individuals seeking services.
The Chicago Tribune highlighted this merger and spoke to stakeholders who supported the change, citing the prevalence of co-occurring behavioral health needs.
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (pdf) from SAMHSA, approximately 20.4 million adults aged 18 or older had co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year. The new Division's Director will be David Albert, PhD, who is the current Director of DMH. Rafael Rivera, PhD, will serve as the Division's Assistant Director and is currently the Interim Director of SUPR. The integration is set to be effective July 1, 2025.
Investment in the Behavioral Health Workforce
The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery's Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Workforce Expansion program offers tuition assistance and wrap-around support for individuals seeking to obtain their CADC credential.
For FY25, this program expanded to add two additional Accredited Training Programs, College of DuPage, and Lewis University, bringing the program to a total of 10 participating colleges and universities, and expanding access across the state. The program has also recently implemented iHeart radio ads in both English and Spanish language as part of a promotional campaign to encourage individuals to explore the behavioral health profession. With the ongoing support of grant funding for educational expenses, credentialing costs, internship stipends, and other supports available through the program, the Illinois Certification Board reports an increase of 39% in new CADC applications from FY24 to FY25.
Potential Medicaid Cuts for Thousands of Illinoisans
On February 28, 2025, Governor J.B. Pritzker joined members of the state's Democratic congressional delegation for a news conference at UI Health to speak out about the potential devastating impact the proposed Federal Medicaid cuts would have on Illinois. Pritzker's response came after the U.S. House Republicans passed a budget resolution to cut $880 billion in Medicaid costs over the next 10 years. Pritzker made it clear that Illinois, and no other state, can cover this loss of Federal Medicaid funding.
Medicaid is paid jointly by the Federal and State Government, covering 3.4 million people in Illinois. One in four individuals in Illinois are covered by Medicaid, 44% of whom are children. The population most at risk of losing coverage from the proposed cuts are those covered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), who are single childless adults with incomes 138% of the federal poverty level (pdf). The ACA covers 770,000 Illinoisans and is funded 90% by the Federal Government.
Potential Cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), could be cut by 50%, according to senior staff members at the agency and congressional aides who attended briefings by Trump officials.
SAMHSA is relatively small, but it addresses two of the nation's most urgent health problems. The agency's broad mandate includes overseeing 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which fields millions of calls through state offices; regulating outpatient clinics that dispense opioid treatment drugs such as methadone; directing funds to drug courts (also called "treatment courts"); and producing nationwide annual surveys of substance use and mental health issues.
To read the full article, visit NYTimes.
The Illinois Department of Public Health Unveils Expanded Overdose Data Dashboard
In early March, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) unveiled an expanded Overdose Data Dashboard that makes more data available and makes the tool easier to use for both researchers and the general public.
The newly revised Overdose Data Dashboard was developed by IDPH staff in various divisions of the agency in cooperation with partners at IDHS and other stakeholders. It provides additional data in a format that is easier to use than the old dashboard. The expanded dashboard includes data on additional substances, such as cocaine, benzodiazepines, psychostimulants, and alcohol, and allows users to download data.
The improved dashboard was unveiled as the state announced progress on reducing overdose deaths. Illinois recorded an 8.3% drop in overall drug overdose deaths in 2023, exceeding a nationwide decline of 4%, according to the new Semiannual Overdose Data Report (pdf). Looking just at opioid overdose deaths, those declined 9.7% in the state, compared to 3% nationally. The new data shows 3,502 overdose deaths in Illinois from all causes in 2023, 317 fewer than in 2022.
"I am encouraged by the reduction in overdose deaths here in Illinois," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "This decrease is a testament to the leadership of Governor Pritzker and the joint and sustained effort from our communities, advocates, and family members to address this public health crisis. However, much more work needs to be done. Mental health and substance use disorder is a priority of our Healthy Illinois 2028 State Health Improvement Plan, and IDPH is proud to display our new upgraded overdose data dashboard as an effort to bring more information to the public and engage in deeper partnerships for impact. Our goal remains implementing evidence-based solutions to further decrease overdose deaths here in Illinois."
Opioids and Black Men: Still Killing the Same Generation
Illinois has a lot to celebrate as recent statistics from Governor J.B. Pritzker's administration showed an 8.3% drop in overall drug overdose deaths and a decline of 9.7% in opioid overdose deaths in 2023.
However, despite the State's effort to achieve these changes, disparities persist across different populations, races, and generations. Among them, Black men born between 1951-1970 face a particularly high risk, a trend that has unfortunately persisted for decades. This concern is not isolated to Illinois; a collaboration between The Baltimore Banner, Chicago Sun-Times, The New York Times, Big Local News at Stanford University, and other news organizations identified dozens of U.S. counties where this generation of Black men have died of overdoses at astronomical rates in the last five years. Among them, Cook County was ranked fourth highest, with Black men from this group dying at rates nearly 10 times higher than the county average and nearly 15 times higher than the national average. Find data and methodologies related to this study at Senior Overdoses Project.
Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force
Illinois' Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, released the 2024 Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force Report (HCITF) pdf. The report aims to address trauma and promote healing through community-driven initiatives and evidenced-based practices for the justice system. It includes key recommendations including expanding trauma-informed policies, enhancing mental health initiatives for children, and fostering equity and public health through positive experiences.
The Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force was created by legislation in 2023 in coordination with the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative. The Task Force launched in January 2024, comprising of diverse leadership and expertise with the charge of "...managing state-level initiatives, tracking progress, engaging communities effectively, supporting the workforce, transforming policies and systems, and implementing trauma-informed frameworks." This important future-oriented work culminated in the HCITF Report. You can read the full report and recommendations at 2024 Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force Report (HCITF) pdf.
Illinois Criminal Justice Data
The Illinois Criminal Justice Data Snapshot, compiled, analyzed, and written by The Council of State Governments Justice Center, was updated in January 2025. The data snapshot reviews information from key decision-making stages within the criminal justice system, ranging from causality to corrections and many details in between. The Report's goal is to provide State leaders with data that can initiate conversations, policy discussions, and opportunities to improve the state's criminal justice system. The report addresses the impact of community and behavioral health on the justice system. It shares statistics showing that people involved in the criminal justice frequently use behavioral health services. The snapshot also highlights what may be a surprising outcome of the data: "Nationally, over four times more people died of drug overdoses and twice as many people die from suicide compared to homicide in 2023. In Illinois in 2023, 3,374 people died from drug overdoses, 1,567 people died by suicide, 1,426 deaths were alcohol induced, and 1,171 people were victims of homicide."
This comparison of deaths by violent crimes as opposed to suicide, alcohol and drug related deaths further supports the need for behavioral health services in Illinois.
The state's behavioral health services are primarily managed and delivered through Illinois Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and Illinois Department of Human Service (DHS). For example, DHS' Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) contracts with organizations to assist individuals involved with the Illinois Department of Corrections and Illinois Court Systems. Additionally, services offered in the community by entities such as Behavioral Health Centers (BHCs), Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) collectively play a vital role to improving behavioral health across our state.
The report continues by highlighting crime rates by communities, comparing Illinois data to the national and regional figures, as well as urban, suburban, and rural areas. It also provides insight into law enforcement, corrections, reentry, and recidivism, and concludes with demographics that highlight disparities in outcomes by race and ethnicity. Essentially, the Criminal Justice Data Snapshot provides some of the key state outcomes that could lead to the reevaluation of goals, programs, and interventions specific to target populations, or bolster support for existing and emerging programs and services.
Read the full report here: Illinois Criminal Justice Data Snapshot (pdf)
Synar
Each year, the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery is federally required to complete an Annual Synar Report that details trends in sales of tobacco to underage youth. Completing this report requires us to conduct compliance checks with a sample of tobacco retailers each year, and every state is expected to have a retailer violation rate (RVR) of under 20%.
In our Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Synar Report, Illinois' RVR was 11.4%, down from 16% the prior year. We are grateful to our Tobacco Compliance teams for their hard work in reducing sales of tobacco products to underage youth.
Provident Hospital CTSC Open House
On March 18, 2025, Chief Dr. Burnett-Zeigler attended an Open House to celebrate the opening of the Clinical Triage and Stabilization Center (CTSC) at Provident Hospital in Chicago. The CTSC is a new, 23-hour unit to care for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Awareness Month Observations
Mental Health Awareness Month
In May we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. This is a time to take stock of any feelings of distress that you might be experiencing such as heightened stress, anxiety, or depression, and know that you're not alone. According to the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, while 95% of the population acknowledges the importance of mental health, a mere 26% prioritize it. The majority of adults with a mental health condition, do not receive treatment. This is due to stigma and barriers to accessing resources such as time, money, childcare, and transportation. This month, I invite you to prioritize your well-being by connecting with loved ones, focusing on self-care through sleep, nutrition, and exercise, and setting goals to strengthen personal and community ties. If you need additional supports, consider reaching you to your primary care provider for a referral to a mental health resources or view providers on Psychology Today. Whether you have a diagnosed condition or are overwhelmed, reaching out for help is an important first step. Below are some toolkits and resources available.
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month
May is also Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Illinois, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the mental health challenges that new moms and moms-to-be often face. Governor Pritzker has proclaimed this month to help increase understanding and support for maternal mental health. According to the Postpartum Depression Illinois Alliance (PPD IL), around 20% of new mothers experience depression and anxiety during the first year after childbirth. Recognizing these signs early can lead to better support and care. Please visit Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois to learn about the best self-care practices for maternal mental health, as well as use their helpline number 847-205-4455 to find local support. The Illinois Department of Public Health has also provided some important facts and resources for people experiencing maternal depression.
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a celebration of the vast contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have made to American history, society, and culture. AAPIs encompass individuals from over 40 countries and speaking hundreds of languages, and at times, may face significant barriers in accessing behavioral healthcare. Issues such as language barriers and cultural perceptions of mental health hinder access to mental health support. Additionally, there is a shortage of culturally competent healthcare providers and clinicians from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Recognizing these barriers is just as crucial as celebrating the cultural richness during this month, as it highlights the ongoing need for inclusivity and understanding in healthcare services. According to a SAMHSA survey conducted in 2022, Asian adults with mental illness were less likely to have received mental health treatment than White and Multiracial adults. You can find AAPI-focused behavioral health providers in Illinois on the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association website.
