55% Remediation Fund share: Yes (required). The Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board (IORAB) and the Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee (Steering Committee) work together to determine uses for this 55% share.[1] Both entities are subject to Illinois’ Open Meetings Act — which states that the public “shall be permitted an opportunity to address public officials under the rules established and recorded by the public body”[2] — and have included dedicated public comment periods in their meetings.[3]
25-33% local government share: Generally, yes. Though local governments are not required to seek public input as to opioid settlement spending specifically, Illinois’ Open Meetings Act states that the public “shall be permitted an opportunity to address public officials under the rules established and recorded by the public body.”[5] Local governments each may choose to seek additional input too. Watch for opportunities to weigh in on city and county spending decisions, such as city council meetings and town halls.
12-20% state share: No opportunities available (not required). The state has not established recurring opportunities for the public to provide input on uses of its 12% share.[6] The state is only required to spend a portion of this share on approved abatement programs.[7]
Yes. Illinois has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. Visit the Illinois Opioid Settlements Initiative’s Funding Opportunities website to view current and past grant opportunities. Local governments also may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the Opioid Settlement Community Grants Portals (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.
For updates on the Remediation Fund share, visit the Illinois Opioid Settlement Initiative, Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board, and Governor’s Opioid Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee websites, and sign up for email updates from the Regional Care Coordination Agency here.
To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county commission, city council, or local health department. See also Illinois Opioid Settlement Initiative’s Settlements Information page.
For updates on the state share, visit the Illinois Opioid Settlement Initiative’s Settlements Information page.
Not applicable.
Illinois Exec. Order No. 2022-19, Sec. 16 (“The Board and any Working Groups created by the Board shall be subject to the provisions of applicable law, including without limitation the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120”); Illinois Exec. Order No. 2020-02, Sec. V (the steering committee was set to expire in 2023 but was renewed by Illinois Exec. Order No. 2023-08) (“In addition to whatever policies or procedures it may adopt, the Steering Committee shall be subject to the provisions of the … Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120)”); 5 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 120/2.06(g) (“Any person shall be permitted an opportunity to address public officials under the rules established and recorded by the public body”); 5 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 120/1.02 (defining “[p]ublic body” to mean “all legislative, executive, administrative or advisory bodies of the State, counties, townships, cities, villages, incorporated towns, school districts and all other municipal corporations, boards, bureaus, committees or commissions of this State, and any subsidiary bodies of any of the foregoing including but not limited to committees and subcommittees which are supported in whole or in part by tax revenue, or which expend tax revenue, except the General Assembly and committees or commissions thereof”). For more background on the requirements of Illinois’ Open Meetings Act, check out this resource. ↑
See, e.g., 07.18.2024 Agenda. Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board. Accessed September 1, 2024; Opioid Steering Committee Agenda 08.23.24. Governor's Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
Illinois Exec. Order No. 2020-02, Sec. IV(3), subsequently renewed by Illinois Exec. Order No. 2023-08. ↑
5 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 120/2.06(g) (“Any person shall be permitted an opportunity to address public officials under the rules established and recorded by the public body”); 5 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 120/1.02 (defining “[p]ublic body” to mean “all legislative, executive, administrative or advisory bodies of the State, counties, townships, cities, villages, incorporated towns, school districts and all other municipal corporations, boards, bureaus, committees or commissions of this State, and any subsidiary bodies of any of the foregoing including but not limited to committees and subcommittees which are supported in whole or in part by tax revenue, or which expend tax revenue, except the General Assembly and committees or commissions thereof”). For more background on the requirements of Illinois’ Open Meetings Act, check out this resource. ↑
If you see this change, email tips@opioidsettlementtracker.com. There is no legal requirement for decision-makers to seek public input on uses of this share. ↑
Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement, Sec. 3.A(a). ↑