04.24.2025 Minutes

Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board

April 24, 2025

2:00 - 4:00 PM

Virtual Meeting Held Via Zoom

MEETING MINUTES

Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board Members

Dr. Adrienne Adams, NorthShore/Endeavor Health

Dr. Katherine (Kate) Austman, Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services

Eddy Borrayo, Rincon Family Services

Ryan Brauns, Rockford Consulting & Brokerage

Blanca Campos, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois

Jud DeLoss, Illinois Association of Behavioral Health

Dr. Bernice Gordon-Young, SMART Recovery Intervention Program

Angie Hampton, Egyptian Health Department

Christopher Hoff, Lake County Health Department

Dr. Miao Jenny Hua, Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)

Joel K. Johnson, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, Inc.

Chelsea Laliberte Barnes, Wolf Pack

Laura Lechowicz, Office of the Cook County President

Donna Nahlik, Chestnut Health Systems

Dr. Kathy Yoder, McLean County

Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board Ex Officio Members

Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler, Chief Behavioral Health Officer (CBHO)

Secretary Dulce Quintero, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)

John Schomberg, Assistant Secretary for Programs, IDHS

Laura Vaught, Chief of Staff, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

Director Brendan Kelly, Illinois State Police (ISP)

Dr. Arvind Goyal, Medical Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (IDHFS)

Jennifer Parrack, Chief of Programs and Support Services, Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)

Kwame Raoul, Attorney General

State Representative Patrick Windhorst

State Representative LaShawn Ford

State Senator Sally Turner

Call to Order/Welcome

Dr. Inger Burnett-Ziegler, CBHO, IDHS, called the meeting to order and welcomed the group.

Roll Call

Dr. Sue Pickett, facilitator, of Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) conducted the roll call of the IORAB members. All members except Dr. Adrienne Adams, Mr. Ryan Brauns, Dr. Bernice Gordon-Young, Dr. Miao Jenny Hua and Dr. Kathy Yoder were present. Quorum was established. The ex officio roll call was taken. All ex officio members were present except Chief of Staff Laura Vaught, Director Brendan Kelly, State Senator Sally Turner, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, State Representative Patrick Windhorst, and State Representative LaShawn Ford. Dr. Leslie Wise attended on behalf of Chief of Staff Laura Vaught; Andrea Law attended on behalf of Attorney General Kwame Raoul; Anoushah Alie attended on behalf of Rep. Ford.

Approve January 30, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Dr. Burnett-Zeigler requested a motion to approve the January 30,.2025 IORAB meeting minutes. Mr. Borrayo made a motion; Mr. Hoff seconded the motion. All members that were present voted to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved.

Chairperson's Welcome Remarks: Dr. Inger Burnett-Ziegler, Chair, CBHO

Dr. Burnett-Zeigler welcomed John Schomberg, IDHS Assistant Secretary of Program, as a new IORAB ex-officio member.

Office of Attorney General Kwame Raoul, National Opioid Settlements Update: Andrea Law, Deputy Bureau Chief, Health Care Bureau

Ms. Law provided an update on the national opioid settlements and disbursement to the Illinois opioid remediation fund.

Ms. Law stated that the list of finalized national settlements remained the same as at the last IORAB meeting. Ms. Law stated that a new bankruptcy plan was filed for Purdue Pharma on March 19, 2025. The proposed plan includes a settlement with Purdue Pharma and a separate settlement with the Sackler family. The details of this plan and required documents are being finalized.
Ms. Law stated that there is a set of smaller settlements with a group of manufacturers that is being finalized. Manufacturers in this group include Amnio, Myelin, and Endiviore. This group of settlements will be circulated for sign-on soon; there may be more information about the monetary impact of these settlements at the next IORAB meeting.
Ms. Law reviewed past and future disbursements to the remediation fund. The overall total amount to be disbursed between 2022 and 2038, $795 Million (M), remains the same as in prior meetings. The fund has received one payment of $4.8M in calendar year 2025; it is anticipated that a total of $44.1M will be received.

Discussion:

An IORAB member stated that there had been a $300M settlement from Walgreens and asked if that settlement was separate from those presented. Ms. Law responded that that settlement was with the federal government. Walgreens has a separate settlement with the state of Illinois that was part of the $4.8M disbursed during 2025.

Working Group Updates

Medical & Research: Kate Austman, MD, Chair

Dr. Austman reported that the Medical & Research Working Group last met on April 1st. She stated that the Working Group discussed current settlement notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) and the overdose prevention site (OPS) recommendation. The Working Group discussed the importance of housing for treatment and recovery and noted that the approved Capital Infrastructure recommendation addressed housing so any additional housing recommendations should address the remaining gaps. Dr. Austman stated that the Working Group discussed concerns that reduced federal funds would result in the loss of essential services. She stated that the Working Group discussed the need to consider if settlement money should be used to support these services. The Working Group will monitor funding cuts and their impacts to guide their next steps.

Access & Equity: Joel K. Johnson, Chair

Mr. Johnson reported that the Access & Equity Working Group met on April 8th. At this meeting, they discussed the Working Group appointment process and the OPS recommendation.

Workforce Development & Infrastructure: Blanca Campos, Chair

Ms. Campos reported that the Workforce Development & Infrastructure Working Group met on April 7th. She reported that in previous meetings the Working Group had started drafting a recommendation to help smaller organizations apply for and manage grant funding. Due to the uncertainties related to federal and state funding, the Working Group is shifting to focus on creating a recommendation that could help sustain and address gaps in services. The Working Group is also exploring ways to use remediation funds to support workforce retention efforts.

Office of Opioid Settlement Administration Updates: Verella Olguin, Office of Opioid Settlement Administration

Ms. Verella Olguin, State Opioid Settlement Administrator (SOSA), provided updates.

Ms. Olguin summarized the outcomes of the 28 recommendations for the use of opioid remediation funds that were submitted during 2025. Of these recommendations, 6 met criteria to move forward, 8 did not meet criteria, and 14 in progress and under review.
Ms. Olguin reviewed the recommendation process. Recommendations can be submitted by IORAB Working Groups as well as other individuals or organizations. The SOSA reviews recommendations to ensure they are general requests, they do not duplicate existing services or recommendations, they qualify as an approved use of opioid settlement funds, and the recommended services cannot be funded by existing resources. If these criteria are met, the SOSA edits the recommendation as needed and may share it with the Working Groups for review and feedback. Funding amounts for recommendations are determined based on estimated costs, needs, and amounts awarded to similar programs. The IORAB reviews and votes on the recommendation. If approved, the recommendation moves to the Steering Committee. Recommendations that are approved by the Steering Committee move to the Attorney General's (AG) office for certification. Following certification, NOFOs or intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) are developed and released.
Ms. Olguin reviewed the status of currently approved recommendations. The following approved recommendations have been awarded: IM Naloxone and other FDA-approved drugs to reverse overdose, opioid abatement strategies effectiveness evaluator (OASEE), community outreach and recovery supports (CORS), pregnant and post-partum people and their families, warm handoff programs and recovery services, mobile medication-assisted treatment and BASE prevention programs. The recommendation for treatment for incarcerated populations is being funded through an IGA with IDOC. The Opioid Training and Technical Assistance Center (OTTAC) NOFO recently closed. The Capital Infrastructure recommendation will be implemented through an agreement with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). A recommendation for harm reduction programs and services is being funded via an agreement with IDPH and through a NOFO which recently closed. NOFOs for recommendations for opioid treatment programs, tribal communities services, and youth and family services are in development. NOFOs for contingency management and telehealth expansion are open and available on the Illinois Regional Care Coordination Agency website.
Ms. Olguin reviewed the two recommendations to be voted on by the board at this meeting. Each recommendation was discussed and voted on (see below).

Board Discussion and Vote: Dr. Burnett-Zeigler

Recommendation A. Services Not Covered by Medicaid

Ms. Olguin presented Recommendation A. Services Not Covered by Medicaid is a recommendation to use $8M from the one-time fund to add funding to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers for services not covered by Medicaid and have exhausted their SUPR block grant contracts. Services will be provided to assist those Illinois residents in dire need of SUD treatment. This recommendation seeks to establish a dedicated funding mechanism for SUD treatment providers that: 1) Have exhausted their existing block grant funds, 2) Serve uninsured and underinsured patients, 3) Continue to bill Medicaid for Medicaid-eligible patients. Funds will be allocated to eligible organizations to ensure uninterrupted service delivery in communities with the greatest need.
An IORAB board member asked if all recommendations were reviewed by Working Groups prior to presentation at the IORAB meeting. Ms. Olguin responded that they were not. She stated that if the OOSA receives a recommendation that meets all criteria it can be presented directly to the IORAB. The IORAB member suggested that one or more Working Groups review and provide input on all eligible recommendations as there is limited time for discussion during IORAB meetings. Ms. Olguin stated that previously at least one Working Group reviewed all eligible recommendations, but that this increased the time prior to IORAB review. Ms. Olguin stated that it might be helpful to review the eligibility criteria for recommendations with Working Groups. Dr. Burnett-Ziegler asked Ms. Olguin how often Working Groups reviewed recommendations prior to the IORAB meeting. Ms. Olguin responded that whether a recommendation is reviewed by Working Groups depends on the recommendation's content. She stated that she had not identified a consistent pattern in the number of recommendations reviewed by Working Groups.
An IORAB member asked if Recommendation A had been reviewed by Working Groups. Ms. Olguin responded that Recommendation A had not. The IORAB member asked the following questions about Recommendation A. How was the funding amount of $8M determined? What timespan was this funding expected to cover? What is the one-time fund and how many dollars are in it? Ms. Olguin responded that the funding amount of $8M was determined by the submitter of this recommendation. If approved, funds for Recommendation A would be disbursed in one lump sum during fiscal year 2025 and providers would expend this money as soon as possible. The amount of remediation funds to be spent per year is determined by taking the total amount of money expected to be disbursed to the fund and dividing it by the number of years the money will be spent. The one-time fund contains money from the remediation fund that was expected to be spent during a prior year but was not expended. The one-time fund is used to support recommendations that do not require ongoing implementation.
An IORAB member asked if only providers who had received and exhausted block grants would be eligible to receive the assistance provided through Recommendation A. Ms. Olguin confirmed that only providers that had received and expended block grants would be eligible to apply for funds through this recommendation.
An IORAB member asked for clarification about which services were not covered by Medicaid. She asked if this meant services for people who do not qualify for Medicaid. Interim Director Rafael Rivera, IDHS/SUPR, replied that this recommendation would pay for services for patients who are ineligible for Medicaid and who have no other method of paying for treatment.
An IORAB member asked how they would ensure that providers used this money to provide evidence-based practices that aligned with the state opioid action plan (SOAP). Ms. Olguin replied that a requirement for funds to be used for evidence-based practices was not included in the recommendation, but that requirement could be included when the scope of work was developed.
An IORAB member stated that there are processes for ensuring that providers use evidence-based practices. He stated that there are exceptions to Medicaid coverage for individuals and for services for SUD. He stated that there is an urgent need for funding as block grants were reduced during the last legislation and Medicaid will not cover the funding gap. The services that would be funded through this recommendation would not be supplanted as without this funding they would not be provided.
An IORAB member asked if this recommendation would supplant funding and if providers would be able to spend this amount of money by June 30. Director Rivera said that providers should be able to spend this amount. He stated that there has been an increase in the number of people ineligible for Medicaid who are seeking SUD services as well as potential cuts to Medicaid.
Dr. Burnett-Ziegler asked for a motion to vote on the approval of Recommendation A. Ms. Hampton made a motion. Ms. Nahlik seconded the motion. Dr. Pickett took a roll call vote. Dr. Austman abstained from the vote. All other IORAB members present voted yes. The motion passed and will move forward to the Steering Committee.

Recommendation B. Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS)

Ms. Olguin presented Recommendation B. Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS) to use $9M over 3 years ($3M per year) to fund pilot OPS to reduce overdose deaths, especially in historically underserved communities. OPS provide individuals with a safe, hygienic space to consume pre-obtained drugs and to access harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and ancillary support services. Pilot OPSs shall be established in physical locations with high need determined by rates of overdoses and substance use; and as a natural development/extension of existing harm reduction and outreach programming. It should be noted that implementation of this recommendation, if approved, is subject to the passage of accompanying legislation to protect OPS clients, service providers, and clinicians.
The initial OPS recommendation was a request for $1.5M over 3 years or $500,000 per year. During the IORAB meeting on January 30th, the IORAB amended this amount to $6M per year for up to 3 years or up to $18M total. The Steering Committee met on February 25th and voted to return the OPS recommendation to the IOARB for clarification on the amended funding about. The IORAB Chair convened an ad hoc group, the OPS Review Team, to gather data to support an amended proposal for the IORAB. The OPS Review Team reviewed OPS research and budgets to determine and justify the $9M funding amount.
Dr. Burnett-Ziegler asked for a motion to approve Recommendation B. Mr. DeLoss made a motion. Mr. Borrayo seconded. Dr. Burnett-Ziegler opened the floor for discussion.
An IORAB member asked how the funding amount was determined. Mr. Johnson responded that the OPS Review Team looked at budgets for currently operating and proposed OPS and relevant literature. Mr. Johnson stated that the legislation that will allow this OPS to operate includes restrictions that limit it to the Chicago area. The OPS in New York City, OnPoint NYC, would therefore be most comparable in terms of operating cost. The OPS Review Team spoke with leadership at OnPoint NYC, reviewed their budget, and used this information to develop the funding amount in the current recommendation.
An IORAB member asked if only organizations located in the Chicagoland area would be eligible to use the OPS funding. Mr. Johnson responded that the parameters for where the OPS can be located outlined in the pending legislation restrict its placement to Chicago.
Dr. Burnett-Ziegler called for a vote to approve Recommendation B. Dr. Pickett conducted a roll call vote. Ms. Hampton abstained from the vote. All other IORAB members that were present voted yes. The motion carried and Recommendation B will move forward to the Steering Committee.

Public Comments

Dr. Burnett-Ziegler opened the floor for public comment. A member of the public asked about the status of the IM naloxone grant and if there was additional information about where people in Illinois could access naloxone. Ms. Olguin responded that she would gather this information and provide it offline.
A member of the public asked if Chicago was changing language that includes only opioids or if new drug laws would continue to target people of color in Chicago.
A member of the public said that when she joined the meeting, she heard that funding would be moved away from smaller organizations to fill gaps for larger organizations. She stated that she operates a small street-based harm reduction organization and had applied for funding and been denied this funding despite having buy-in from the community, providing needed services, and making an impact. She asked the IORAB to consider prioritizing funding for smaller organizations.

Chair Closing Remarks and Adjournment

Dr. Burnett thanked everyone for their thoughtful discussion and the work to prepare for the meeting. She stated that the minutes for today's meeting will follow.
Dr. Burnett-Ziegler made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Borrayo seconded the motion. Dr. Burnett-Ziegler adjourned the meeting. The next meeting of the IORAB will take place on July 24, 2025 from 2-4 PM.