Last October, State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park) gathered community leaders, healthcare professionals, and families in Carol Stream for a town hall discussion addressing the ongoing opioid crisis in Illinois. The town hall event, organized in partnership with the Illinois Harm Reduction & Recovery Coalition, focused on breaking the stigma of addiction and providing life-saving resources to those affected.
“Opioid addiction continues to impact our community, but together we can ensure we are able to help more families and individuals get the support they need,” said Rep. Sanalitro.
In 2024, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) spearheaded legislation that was passed and signed into law (P.A. 103-0980) that increased access to fentanyl testing strips at no cost. The new law gives the Illinois Department of Human Services the ability to establish or authorize programs to distribute fentanyl test strips to promote harm reduction efforts and prevent overdoses. Fentanyl test strips can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in a variety of substances, as fentanyl can be easily disguised and difficult to see with the naked eye.
State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), a co-sponsor of the new law, said, “The opioid crisis in Illinois continues to devastate families in every community regardless of race or income. We have made meaningful progress in mitigating this crisis, but the surge of fentanyl overdoses remains a persistent challenge and has victimized many people who are unaware they are exposed to deadly toxins. The new law addresses one more factor associated with the rise in opioid-related deaths in our state and prevents fatal outcomes for unsuspecting people. Fentanyl test strips are a life-saving resource and should be accessible to everyone.”
This year, Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) introduced House Bill 1478 that would create the offense of fentanyl-related child endangerment for knowingly or recklessly endangering the life or health of a child under 18 years of age by exposing or allowing exposure of the child to fentanyl, including consumption of fentanyl. A violation would be a Class X felony carrying a mandatory prison sentence of not less than 6 years and not more than 30 years, and fines up to $100,000.
Co-sponsor Rep. Nicole La Ha (R-Homer Glen) said, “There is no higher priority for any adult, whether or not you are a parent or a public official, than protecting children from harm. Anyone who allows a child to be exposed to fentanyl should face severe consequences as policymakers and public health officials work with law enforcement to improve public education about the prevalence of fentanyl and work to mitigate risks.”
In addition, Leader McCombie introduced House Bill 2804, a measure to charge anyone who knowingly and unlawfully sells or dispenses any scheduled drug containing a detectable amount of fentanyl with a Class X felony.
The state has also been taking steps to improve awareness and access to over-the-counter opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, which is a nasal spray that can immediately counteract the effects of opioid overdose. Rep. Bill Hauter, a physician, even demonstrated how easy it is to use naloxone in an emergency by having Rep. Amy Grant administer a dose to him on the House floor. To watch the video – Click Here.
To learn more about how to combat the opioid epidemic or find information about treatment and recovery options for a loved one, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website.