Title
Joint resolution approving an allocation of Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) to the Lake County Health Department - Behavioral Health Services Division for stabilizing and sustaining substance use disorder services for uninsured residents and authorizing an emergency appropriation in the amount of $292,672.
Staff Summary
• Lake County commissioned the Opioid Settlement Strategy Report in 2024 that 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 stabilize services provided by the Lake County Health Department - Behavioral Health Services Division substance use disorder services for uninsured residents through June 2026.
• The Health Department receives an annual appropriation of funding from the State of Illinois for reimbursement of expenses associated with the program and there is a concern that services will exceed the reimbursement.
• The need is further anticipated to increase access to services and costs to treat uninsured residents with the reopening of the Withdrawal Management Unit.
• This program is aligned with the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement that restricts funds to opioid remediation and will be a means to prevent service disruptions for those seeking treatments.
• This resolution authorizes an emergency appropriation in the amount of $292,672 of OSF, which will be distributed as a reimbursement, and any unused funds will be re-programmed for future projects.
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 that 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 stabilize services provided by the Lake County Health Department - Behavioral Health Services Division substance use disorder services for uninsured residents through June 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Health Department receives an annual appropriation of funding from the State of Illinois for reimbursement of expenses associated with the program and there is a concern that services will exceed the reimbursement; and
WHEREAS, this program is aligned with the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement that restricts funds to opioid remediation and will be a means to prevent service disruptions for those seeking treatments; and
WHEREAS, an emergency appropriation in the amount of $292,672 is hereby authorized in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget in the Fund 771 Opioid Settlement Fund budget as detailed in the attachment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that an allocation of Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) to the Lake County Health Department - Behavioral Health Services Division for stabilizing and sustaining substance use disorder services for uninsured residents in the amount of $292,672 is approved and any unused funds will be re-programmed for future projects.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on April 14, 2026.