Executive Order 2023-08

WHEREAS, overdose deaths continue to climb nationally and in Illinois as a result of the fentanyl-contaminated drug supply, other emerging drug threats, a nimble and sophisticated illicit drug supply network, and significant behavioral health needs that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects; and,

WHEREAS, IDPH data shows an increase of 40% in drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2022, and 3,908 Illinois community-members and loved ones lost their lives to drug overdose in 2022; and,

WHEREAS, this continued crisis demands an ongoing robust response that reduces both overdose deaths, as well as other adverse impacts of substance use in our communities; and,

WHEREAS, our leaders and communities must resist the tendency to fatigue in our efforts, but rather continue to emphasize the urgency of this public health crisis; and,

WHEREAS, it is the priority of Illinois, in alignment with federal initiatives, to support a continuum of care that includes prevention, harm-reduction, treatment, and recovery services across the lifespan that are accessible and equitable for all persons; and,

WHEREAS, our response must also be nimble regarding emerging drug threats, such as xylazine; and,

WHEREAS, there is furthermore a need to respond to all affected and vulnerable individuals in our communities, including affected family members, survivors of overdose victims, and children and families involved with child welfare, the courts, or the criminal justice system; and,

WHEREAS, there exists a behavioral health workforce crisis that hampers overdose response and treatment efforts; and,

WHEREAS, a robust response requires the coordination of efforts across State agencies, including Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, Illinois Department of Insurance, and others, and,

WHEREAS, as a result of efforts by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, it is anticipated that Illinois will continue to receive funds from national multi-state opioid settlements over the next 18 years, from judgments or settlements resolving claims related to the opioid epidemic and resulting public health crisis, which will be allocated according to the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement; and,

WHEREAS, the uses of the Illinois Opioid Remediation State Trust Fund, in accordance with the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement are approved by and will continue to be approved by the Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee (Steering Committee) created by Executive Order 2 (2020), which receives advisory recommendations from the Steering Committee’s sub-committee, the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board, as further detailed in Executive Order 19 (2022); and,

WHEREAS, the Steering Committee created by Executive Order 2 (2020) is currently set to sunset on September 30, 2023, subject to renewal by a succeeding Executive Order. 

Therefore, I, JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, by virtue of the executive authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, hereby amend Executive Order 2 (2020) as follows:

1. Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee
   In light of the Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee’s (Steering Committee) continuing work, including its work, in the years to come, to effectuate the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement, the Steering Committee, including, but not limited to, its sub-committee, the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board, is renewed and shall continue until the Illinois Opioid Remediation State Trust Fund, created at 30 ILCS 105/6z-133, has been extinguished.
   
   
2. Savings Clause
   Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene, any federal or State law or regulation.  Nothing in this Executive Order shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency or be construed as a reassignment or reorganization of any State agency.
   
   
3. Prior Executive Orders
   This Executive Order supersedes any contrary provision of any other prior Executive Order.
4. Severability Clause
   If any part of this Executive Order is found invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The provisions of this Executive Order are severable.
5. Effective Date
   This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

  ______________________________

JB Pritzker, Governor

Issued by Governor: September 29, 2023

Filed with the Secretary of State: September 29, 2023