Illinois will use money from marijuana taxes, opioid settlements to address mental health issues
Illinois is allocating funds from cannabis taxes and opioid settlements to address mental health issues across the state.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The state of Illinois is allocating funding from cannabis taxes and opioid settlements to address mental health issues across the state.
The state Legislature is targeting this special funding to alleviate Illinois’ shortage of mental health professionals. Their efforts include strengthening mental health infrastructure and expanding access to substance use treatment and harm reduction services across the state.
Lawmakers recently held a hearing focused on mental health and addiction issues.
“In addition to the advances in behavioral health, coupled with the strong needs in a strained behavioral health workforce, we need to carefully consider how behavioral health is funded, especially how it is funded. I think it’s even more timely. It’s outside of the general fund fund,” said state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago).
Representatives from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Recovery Alliance also presented ideas for improving access to mental health care.
