Opioid Steering Committee Minutes 05.08.2025

Governor's Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee
Meeting Minutes

Juliana Stratton - Lt. Governor

Dr. Sameer Vohra - Director, Department of Public Health

Dulce Quintero - Secretary, Department of Human Services

2nd Quarterly Meeting Pursuant to Executive Order 2023-08

Date and Time

May 8, 2025

10:00 to 11:30 AM Central Time

Meeting Location

In-Person Meeting

Chicago Meeting Location: 401 S. Clinton Street, 7th Floor Executive Conference Room

Springfield Meeting Location: 100 S. Grand Avenue East, Harris Building, 3rd Floor Executive Conference Room

While this meeting was in person, remote participation was available via Webex.

Roll Call

Voting Members:
Name	Organization	Present	Absent
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (chair)	Lt. Governor	X
Secretary Dulce Quintero	Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS)	X
Director Dr. Sameer Vohra (co-chair)	Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)	X
Director Brendan Kelly	Illinois State Police (ISP)		X
Dr. Arvind Goyal (representing Director Whitehorn)	Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS)	X
Luke Tomsha	Public Member, The Perfectly Flawed Foundation	X
Sherie Arriazola-Martinez	Public Member, Illinois Opioid Crisis Response Advisory Council Member	X
Other State Agencies Represented:
Interim Director Rafael Rivera	IDHS/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)	X
Director Heidi Mueller	Illinois Department of Children and Family Services		X
Jessica Reichert	Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA)	X
Debi Joy (Representing Acting Director Vickery)	Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice		X
Tiffany Clark (Representing Acting Director Latoya Hughes)	Illinois Department of Corrections		X

1. Call to Order and Welcome

2. Roll Call

3. Approval of February 25, 2025 Meeting Minutes

4. Chairs' Remarks

• a. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton
• The Lieutenant (Lt.) Governor thanked Director Vohra and Secretary Quintero for their leadership and thanked everyone for their work on the Steering Committee. She stated that chaos at the federal level has intensified with cuts to health and human service agencies including mass layoffs and billions of dollars cut from research and health tracking programs. She stated that President Trump has released a budget which cuts 24 substance use prevention and treatment programs, including a $56 Million (M) program to distribute naloxone and train first responders to use it. The Lt. Governor stated that these cuts will result in the loss of lives. She stated that the work that they are doing in Illinois is in contradiction to the chaos in Washington, DC and is therefore more important than ever. They will continue to work to ensure that communities that are disproportionately impacted receive services and that the experiences of those with lived expertise are centered. The Lt. Governor stated that she remains a partner in the fight to improve the lives of the Illinois residents they serve.
• b. Director Dr. Sameer Vohra
• Director Vohra thanked the Lt. Governor for her leadership. He stated that IDPH acknowledges the importance of community and the honor of working with partners to create sustainable change and growth through the Healthy Illinois 2028 state health improvement plan. One of the pillars of this plan is work enhancing mental health and addressing substance misuse. The Mental Health and Substance Use Action Team, IDPH, and community partners have advanced preventative care and harm reduction through their block-by-block program to increase naloxone availability and overdose prevention education, provide harm reduction materials such as test strips, and connect people to treatment. IDPH has also assisted counties to build overdose fatality review boards. Director Vohra stated that these efforts to understand overdose data at the county and regional levels will help IDPH tailor solutions to prevent overdoses in communities in need. Director Vohra acknowledged that this is a time of uncertainty for funding and thanked all partners for their work to promote well-being across the state.
• c. Secretary Dulce M. Quintero
• Secretary Quintero thanked the Lt. Governor and Director Vohra for their leadership. The Secretary thanked the Steering Committee for its partnership in addressing the overdose crisis in Illinois. The Secretary noted that many leaders participated in Latino Unity Day and acknowledged the importance of working together during difficult times. Secretary Quintero recognized the challenges of potential federal funding decreases in public health and overdose prevention and stated that IDHS is committed to exploring pathways to maintain their core initiatives. These pathways may include prioritizing high-impact initiatives, leveraging braided funding streams, and working with existing bodies to maximize all allocated state funding. IDHS is deepening collaborations with state agencies, local health departments, and harm reduction and treatment providers to ensure that no community in Illinois is left behind as they expand access to prevention, recovery, and support services. Strong relationships with stakeholders, community members, and leaders are an essential part of IDHS' sustainability strategy. The Secretary stated that the IDHS Divisions of Mental Health and SUPR are integrating to form a single unified division on July 1. This integration is an intentional step to better align mental health and substance use services and meet the complex needs of the people served. The new unified Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery will seek to reduce the administrative burden on staff and service recipients and improve services. The Secretary acknowledged Mother's Day and stated that while there has been a decrease in overdose deaths, we should acknowledge that every death leaves a family in mourning. The human cost of the opioid crisis is why we must continue to lead with compassion, equity, and urgency. The Secretary thanked everyone for their resilience and continued partnership in this work.
• The Lt. Governor acknowledged Latino Unity Day and acknowledged that many people are facing attacks and may feel fear. The Lt. Governor stated that her administration will do everything they can to fight these attacks and support all Illinoisians. The Lt. Governor stated that mutual support will be essential to making it through these difficult times.

5. New Business

i. Office of Opioid Settlement Administration Updates: Verella Olguin, Statewide Opioid Settlement Administrator, Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Director Vohra introduced Verella Olguin, State Opioid Settlement Administrator (SOSA) and stated that she will review the two recommendations to be voted on today.

ii. Recommendation A. Services Not Covered by Medicaid Discussion

a. Ms. Olguin described Recommendation A which proposes 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. These 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. Director Vohra opened the floor to discussion of Recommendation A.

Discussion:

b. A Steering Committee member stated that the title of the recommendation should be revised to include the use of this funding for underinsured individuals. The Steering Committee member expressed concern that using remediation funds in this way might result in the loss of potential federal match money and stated that it would be wise to obtain these funds if possible. The Steering Committee member asked why this recommendation was proposed as a one-time investment, as providing services without a plan for sustainability was not recommended. Ms. Olguin responded that this recommendation aimed to fill gaps in treatment funding due to reductions in block grants. Ms. Olguin stated that they would be open to leveraging additional funding sources for this purpose. Ms. Olguin stated that they could consider revising the title as suggested. Ms. Olguin stated that the recommendation was conceptualized as a one-time investment so the money could be distributed as soon as possible, within fiscal year 2025.

c. Director Vohra asked for more information about how federal match money could be obtained for SUD services that were not covered by Medicaid. The Steering Committee member stated that when a healthcare provider believes a patient with Medicaid needs services that are not covered through this insurer, the provider can apply to Medicaid to have payment for the services covered. If the provider can demonstrate that the patient requires the services, Medicaid may pay for them. The Steering Committee member noted that this approval process could be used in addition to leveraging funds through this recommendation. The Lt. Governor stated that the IORAB could approve this recommendation to provide funds quickly and then seek the matching federal funds for sustainability.

d. The Steering Committee member clarified his suggestion to change the title of the recommendation in that it should include services not covered by Medicaid for under-insured and uninsured populations.

e. The Lt. Governor asked what services were not covered by Medicaid. Ms. Olguin responded that the intent of the recommendation was to use funds for services for patients ineligible for Medicaid. The Lt. Governor stated that the title could be revised to state that the funds were for services for patients not eligible for Medicaid. A Steering Committee member suggested that the title should include both patients and services not covered by Medicaid to allow greater flexibility.

f. Director Vohra asked for a motion to change the title of Recommendation A to Services and Populations not Covered by Medicaid.

1. Dr. Goyal made a motion.
2. Ms. Arriazola-Martinez seconded.
3. Lt. Governor Stratton, Secretary Quintero, Director Vohra, Dr. Goyal, Mr. Tomsha, and Ms. Arriazola-Martinez voted in favor.
4. No opposition.
5. No abstention.
6. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Director Vohra asked for further discussion on Recommendation A. None occurred.

iii. Recommendation A. Services and Populations not Covered by Medicaid Action

Director Vohra asked for a motion to vote for approval of Recommendation A. Services and Populations not Covered by Medicaid.

1. Motioned by Dr. Goyal.
2. Seconded by Lt. Governor Stratton.
3. Lt. Governor Stratton, Secretary Quintero, Director Vohra, Dr. Goyal, Ms. Arriazola Martinez, and Mr. Tomsha voted in favor of the recommendation.
4. No opposition
5. No abstention
6. The motion passed unanimously, and Recommendation A was approved.

iv. Recommendation B. Overdose Prevention Sites Discussion

1. Ms. Olguin provided the following history for Recommendation B. Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS). The initial OPS Recommendation was a request for $1.5M over 3 years or $500,000 per year. During the IORAB meeting on January 30, the board amended this amount to $6M per year for up to 3 years or up to $18M total. This Steering Committee met on February 25 and voted to return the OPS recommendation for clarification. The IORAB Chair convened an ad hoc group, the OPS Review Team, to review the funding amount for the recommendation and gather data to support an amended proposal for the IORAB. The OPS Review Team reviewed research including OPS budgets to determine and justify the funding amount in the current OPS Recommendation. At a meeting in April, the IORAB voted to approve the recommendation.
2. Ms. Olguin described the current Recommendation B. Overdose Prevention Sites as a recommendation 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 access other 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. Research has shown that OPS decrease overdose deaths and increase engagement with healthcare and social services. There have been zero fatalities related to an overdose at an OPS. 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.

Discussion:

1. Director Vohra opened the floor for discussion of Recommendation B
2. Lt. Governor Stratton clarified that if the Steering Committee voted to approve the OPS recommendation, no action could be taken to implement the OPS because there is no active legislation to protect OPS service recipients and staff from legal action. Ms. Stratton asked for an update about the status of the required legislation and expressed concern that this money will be set aside and unavailable for other use but will also not be used for the OPS. Ms. Olguin responded that due to the potential benefits of the OPS, the IORAB had determined that having funding available for the OPS was important despite uncertainty about legislation. Director Rivera, IDHS/SUPR, stated that at the time this recommendation was made there was pending legislation to allow implementation of the OPS but he is unsure of this legislation's status. A Policy Director for the Lt. Governor stated that the referenced legislation was re-referred to the Rules Committee and that it is unlikely that this Committee will meet prior to the end of the legislative session; therefore, approval of this legislation is unlikely to occur this year.
3. A Steering Committee member discussed adding language to the recommendation to outline steps if the legislation required for safe OPS implementation did not pass.
4. A Steering Committee member stated that it was important that legislation protect people using or working within the OPS from legal problems. The Steering Committee member asked if an executive order from the governor could provide similar protection if the legislation did not pass.
5. The Lt. Governor stated that knowledge of the specific language used in legislation is important for successful implementation. The Lt. Governor also emphasized the importance of the Steering Committee having all the information about what they are voting on prior to the vote. She stated that it was important to consider all factors needed for successful OPS implementation, not solely the need for funds. Director Vohra agreed with these statements.
6. A Steering Committee member asked how long the $9M would remain earmarked for the OPS if the recommendation was approved. Ms. Olguin responded that the funds would remain allocated for that purpose until another recommendation to use them was approved.
7. A Steering Committee member stated that allocating money for the OPS might help support the passage of necessary legislation. The Steering Committee member noted that the remediation fund would support the OPS without the use of tax money. The Steering Committee member stated that innovative methods to decrease overdose deaths are needed; many people who use drugs do not want to enter medical facilities due to stigma but are open to going to OPS.
8. The Lt. Governor stated that it is important that a recommendation to support an OPS remain on the table, but she is unsure if Illinois has adequate buy-in to implement an OPS at this time. She stated that it is unclear if having funds to support the OPS will lead to support for legislation that will allow its creation. Funds for an OPS will be available.
9. Director Vohra summarized that the discussion emphasized the importance of an OPS; but that some Steering Committee members expressed concerns about moving forward with the recommendation without approved legislation to protect OPS service recipients or staff. Director Vohra stated that the Steering Committee could table the decision on this Recommendation until required legislation is approved.
10. A Steering Committee member asked what steps they could take to support the passage of the required legislation. The Lt. Governor stated that options might include holding an educational forum for legislators to learn about OPS or approaching philanthropic circles or other partners to fund the OPS. The Steering Committee member mentioned the importance of having state departments support educational efforts.
11. Nikki Giancola-Shank, Policy Director, Office of Lt. Governor Stratton, recommended that the IORAB and Steering Committee collaborate with states that have implemented an OPS to learn about the process of gaining support and starting operations. Dr. Burnett-Ziegler, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, stated that she is positioned to convene these experts and will consider how to move this idea forward.
12. A Steering Committee member added that OPS should include testing and referral for HIV and Hepatitis C and have fentanyl test strips and Narcan available.

v. Overdose Prevention Sites Recommendation Action

Dr. Vohra asked for a motion to table Recommendation B: Overdose Prevention Sites and to continue conversations about strategies for education and engagement related to OPS.

1. Motioned by Secretary Quintero.
2. Seconded by Lt. Governor Stratton.
3. Lt. Governor Stratton, Secretary Quintero, Director Vohra, and Dr. Goyal voted in favor.
4. Ms. Arriazola-Martinez and Mr. Tomsha were opposed.
5. No members abstained from the vote.
6. The motion to table this recommendation passed. Director Vohra stated that they will continue to learn from states with OPS and conduct education efforts to gain support for OPS in Illinois.

6. Member Updates

1. A Steering Committee member stated that she had heard that the prevalence of marijuana laced with fentanyl was increasing and that this might increase overdoses. Another Steering Committee member stated that this is misinformation; they have not encountered marijuana laced with fentanyl during their drug checking. The Steering Committee member stated that it is important to combat misinformation as it can lead to stigma.

7. Public Comment

1. No members of the public made any comment.

8. Adjournment

1. Director Vohra called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
2. Motioned by Lt. Governor Stratton.
3. Seconded by Ms. Martinez
4. All in favor
5. No opposition
6. No abstention
7. Director Vohra adjourned the meeting at 11:26 AM.
8. The next Steering Committee meeting will be held August 14, 2025, from 10:00 - 11:30 AM