Title
Joint resolution approving a reallocation of Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) within the Lake County Health Department - Behavioral Health Services Division to stabilize funding for the A Way Out Program in the amount of $247,732.74.
Staff Summary
• Lake County commissioned the Opioid Settlement Strategy Report in 2024, which provided a framework for spending the Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) with a focus on spending the money to save lives.
• Staff has identified a need to provide funding to continue services of the A Way Out Program to connect individuals seeking help for substance use with treatment and recovery services and has the support of the Opioid Working Group.
• The A Way Out Program has been funded through a federal grant since 2019 and current funding will be expended by September 30, 2026, with no notification of funding for future years received.
• OSF previously appropriated for use by the Health Department for stabilizing and sustaining substance use disorder services for uninsured residents can be reduced and made available to ensure continuity of services for the A Way Out Program for the next nine months, through June 2027, in the amount of $247,732.74.
• OSF funds will continue to be distributed as a reimbursement, and any unused funds will be re-programmed for future projects should federal funding be awarded or another funding source be identified.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Lake County received Opioid Settlement funding as designated in the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement and approved by the Attorney General; and
WHEREAS, use of funds is restricted to Opioid Remediation and the terms and conditions as defined in the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement and the Opioid Settlement Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Lake County commissioned the Opioid Settlement Strategy Report in 2024, which provided a framework for spending the Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) with a focus on spending the money to save lives; and
WHEREAS, staff has identified a need to continue services of the A Way Out Program to connect individuals seeking help for substance use with treatment and recovery services; and
WHEREAS, the A Way Out Program is aligned with the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement, which restricts funds to opioid remediation; and
WHEREAS, Opioid Settlement Funding previously appropriated for use by the Health Department for stabilizing and sustaining substance use disorder services for uninsured residents can be reduced and funding made available for the A Way Out Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that an allocation in the amount of $247,732.74 of Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) be re-programmed to the Lake County Health Department for administration of the A Way Out Program through June 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any unused OSF funds will be re-programmed for future projects.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on September 8, 2026.