All posts tagged Minority Leader Christine Radogno

Chicago Area Heroin Abuse Worst in the Country; Governor Pat Quinn Cuts Illinois Drug Prevention, Treatment Budget 30%

Heroin leaves its mark.

(Chicago, IL) — While the Chicago-area has been earning the infamous distinction of having a heroin abuse problem more extreme than anywhere else in the country in the last decade, according to a new report, Illinois has cut its drug prevention and treatment by more than 30% in the last two years.

The new state budget proposed by Governor Pat Quinn will slash Illinois drug prevention treatment for more than 2,500 Illinois residents, including drug prevention for 1,000 youth.

“For those of us in the drug prevention and treatment system, the explosion of heroin abuse among suburban Chicago youth is something we already knew,” said Eric Foster, Chief Operating Officer of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, referring to a new heroin usage report released today by Roosevelt University.

“In fact, all year, we were warning lawmakers and the governor’s office of the escalating heroin problem, pleading with them not to cut prevention and treatment funding,” said Foster. “But funding got cut anyway.”

“Governor Quinn’s budget cuts to the Illinois addiction healthcare system will eliminate care for more than 2,500 people, including drug prevention for1,000 youth,” said Foster.

Since 1995, the number of Illinois women in drug, alcohol treatment has surged 41%, but Quinn this year is still cutting treatment services by 8%, which will toss more than 2,500 out of treatment, of whom nearly 1,000 are women.

Quinn’s budget cuts to the Illinois Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse budget for community treatment providers and funds for addiction prevention for community prevention providers are on top of a 22% cut last year.

“Relentless budget cuts are forcing the Illinois addiction healthcare system into a death spiral and women and youth confronting heroin are increasingly suffering the brunt of the budget pain,” said Foster.

In FY 2009, there were 89,909 individuals receiving treatment services, down from 101,105 in FY 2008, an 11.6% decrease.

“By further strangling the drug treatment system, threats to public safety by heroin will boil over,” said Foster.

In 2009, a resurgent heroin crisis killed more than 100 people in Northern Illinois alone, a crisis that is zeroing in on local teens. Meanwhile, Quinn’s proposed budget will eliminate drug prevention for more than 1,000 youth.

“The threat to public safety is not a hypothetical threat,” said Foster. “There are young people whose lives will be sacrificed to heroin because of prevention funding cuts.”

“We urge Speaker Michael Madigan, Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, Minority Leader Christine Radogno and Governor Quinn to adjust the new state budget to eliminate drug prevention and treatment budget cuts.”

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by Jud DeLoss on June 28, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Heroin & Illinois Teens
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on June 28, 2010

https://ilabh.net/2010/06/28/chicago-area-heroin-abuse-worse-in-the-country-governor-pat-quinn-cuts-illinois-drug-prevention-treatment-budget-30/

Between 1995–2007, Illinois Women in State-Supported Drug, Alcohol Treatment Spike 41%

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Sara Moscato Howe, CEO, IADDA

(Chicago, IL) – November 12, 2009. According to a new analysis of Illinois government data, the number of women receiving state-supported treatment for drug or alcohol addiction between 1995-2007 jumped 41%, compared to 21.7% for men.

“The face of addiction is changing across Illinois—and it is increasingly a woman’s face,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, who analyzed the historical data published by the Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.

(Listen Here to Podcast: Illinois Women in Drug, Alcohol Treatment Increases 41%)

In the state fiscal year 1995, 30,545 adult Illinois women received drug or alcohol treatment through local community treatment providers financed primarily by state government. In FY 2007, 52,045 received services, a 41% increase.

FY 2007 is the most recent data available.

During the same period, 65,992 adult men received services in FY 1995 and 84,326 in FY 2007, a 21.7% increase.

In FY 1995, adult women comprised 31.6% of the total adult population receiving treatment services. By FY 2007, their share of the treatment population had grown to 38.1%.

Young girls and boys in treatment are surging even more dramatically.
Female youth in treatment increased from 2,392 in FY 1995 to 5,087 in FY 2007—a 52.9% jump. Boys totaled 6,020 in 1995 and 13,188 in 2007, a 54.3% hike.

The growth in substance treatment use far outstrips the general population growth in Illinois. In 1995, Illinois had an estimated population of 11.8 million and 12.9 million in 2008, a 9.3% increase.

What troubles Moscato Howe even more is that Illinois is failing to meet the overall need for treatment services.

“The state’s own plan says they will serve 15% of the need,” said Moscato Howe, “However, using the most recent Illinois Household Survey Data from 2003, we are currently only serving about 5.25%.”

Moscato Howe noted when this year’s Illinois budget cuts are factored, that number will fall to about 4.09%, much lower than 7-9% served in previous years.

“More and more women and young girls are seeking drug and alcohol treatment and our ability to help them is diminishing with each passing year,” Moscato Howe said.

Moscata Howe noted that IADDA will be pushing Governor Pat Quinn and legislative leaders House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno to address funding issues next year.

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by Jud DeLoss on November 12, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Illinis Substance Abuse Treatment Funding, Illinois Budget, Women & Susbstance Abuse Treatment
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on November 12, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/11/12/illinois-women-in-state-supported-drug-alcohol-treatment-spike-41/

Illinois Doomsday Budget Forces TASC to Suspend Addiction Servicess

(Chicago, IL) — TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities), a not-for-profit helps drug and alcohol addicts get into treatment, is losing 76 percent of its state funding in the Illinois doomsday budget crisis.

Beginning July 1, workers were forced to take two weeks off without pay.

The organization is mandated by the state to evaluate substance abuse addicts and determine an alternative treatment to jail. Without TASC services, addicts who fail to receive treatment are likelier to continue to abuse drugs and alcohol, sending them back in jail, again and again and again.

Governor Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno continue budget negotiations.

Lawmakers return to Springfield on July 14.

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by Jud DeLoss on July 10, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Pat Quinn, Illinis Substance Abuse Treatment Funding
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on July 10, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/07/10/illinois-doomsday-budget-forces-tasc-to-suspend-addiction-services/

Illinois ‘Doomsday’ Budget Slashes Drug Treatment for 65,000 Residents; Madigan, Cullerton, Cross, Radogno, and Quinn Urged to “Get Back to Work”

(Springfield, IL) – Illinois’ addiction prevention and treatment advocates today denounced the ‘doomsday’ budget approved by the Illinois legislature on Sunday, saying it will slash drug treatment for more than 65,000 Illinois residents starting on July 1, 2009.

“This budget will destroy Illinois’ addiction healthcare system,” said Sara

Sara Moscato Howe, CEO, IADDA

Sara Moscato Howe, CEO, IADDA

Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association. “Little will remain standing on July 1.”

The legislature’s ‘doomsday’ budget—a spending plan without Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed income tax increase—guts both the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse budget for community treatment providers and funds for addiction prevention for community prevention providers, a total of nearly $84 million.

The ‘doomsday’ budget will eliminate drug treatment services for 65,000 currently served by state-financed community providers across Illinois, Howe estimates.

Currently, untreated addiction costs the State of Illinois over $3 billion a year. Increases in health insurance rates, incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, domestic violence, on-the-job accidents, lost worker productivity, school drop-out rates, teen pregnancy, and traffic accidents and fatalities are all attributable to untreated addiction, says Howe.

“Crime rates, domestic violence incidents, and traffic accidents will explode across Illinois,” said Howe.

“We urge Speaker Michael Madigan, Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, Minority Leader Christine Radogno and Governor Quinn to go back to work and to approve an income tax increase to restore the $84 million to the addiction healthcare system and not unleash a doomsday that will decimate Illinois communities.”

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by Jud DeLoss on June 1, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Pat Quinn, Illinis Substance Abuse Treatment Funding, Illinois General Assembly
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on June 1, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/06/01/illinois-%e2%80%98doomsday%e2%80%99-budget-slashes-drug-treatment-for-65000-residents-madigan-cullerton-cross-radogno-and-quinn-urged-to-get-back-to-work/

Quinn ‘Doomsday’ Budget Will Eliminate Addiction Healthcare for 355,071 Residents across Illinois

(Springfield, IL) – Illinois’ alcohol and drug prevention and treatment advocates today denounced Governor Pat Quinn’s ‘doomsday’ budget, saying it will slash drug prevention and treatment for more than 355,000 Illinois residents starting on July 1, 2009.

“This budget will destroy Illinois’ addiction healthcare system,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association. “Little will remain standing on July 1.”

Governor Pat Quinn

Governor Pat Quinn

Quinn’s newly unveiled ‘doomsday’ budget—a spending plan without the Governor’s proposed income tax increase—eliminates both the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse budget for community treatment providers and all funds for  addiction prevention for community prevention providers, a total loss of $170 million.

Quinn’s ‘doomsday’ budget will eliminate drug treatment services for 98,000 currently served by state-financed community providers across Illinois, Howe estimates.

“Cuts of this magnitude will eliminate services for more than 51,000 in Cook County alone,” said Howe.

Currently, untreated addiction costs the State of Illinois $3 billion a year. Increases in health insurance rates, incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, domestic violence, on-the-job accidents, lost worker productivity, school drop-out rates, teen pregnancy, and traffic accidents and fatalities are all attributable to untreated addiction, says Howe.

“Crime rates, domestic violence incidents, and traffic accidents will explode across Illinois,” said Howe.

Additionally, the state’s community-based prevention system will be completely eliminated.

“Currently, our statewide substance abuse prevention system serves 257,071 youth ages 12 to 17,” said Howe. “Under this budget, every community-based addiction prevention provider will close.”

“We urge the Speaker Micheal Madigan, Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Minority Leader Christine Radogno and Governor Quinn to approve an income tax increase to restore the $170 million to the addiction healthcare system and not unleash a doomsday that will decimate Illinois communities.”

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by Jud DeLoss on May 19, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Pat Quinn, Illinis Substance Abuse Treatment Funding, Illinois Budget
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on May 19, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/05/19/quinn-%e2%80%98doomsday%e2%80%99-budget-will-eliminate-addiction-healthcare-for-355071-across-illinois/

Alcohol, Drug Treatment Advocates Descend on Springfield Urging Lawmakers to Back 5¢ a Drink Tax, Reverse Quinn Addiction Healthcare Cuts

(Springfield, IL) – More than 100 Illinois drug and alcohol treatment and prevention advocates fanned out across the capitol on April 29 during IADDA’s Lobby Day to urge state lawmakers to increase the state’s alcohol tax by 5¢ a drink.

This move would raise $250 million for cash-strapped Illinois and restore $12.9 million cut from addiction healthcare services in Governor Pat Quinn‘s proposed FY 2010 budget.

“A nickel a drink increase will raise $250 million to help offset the budget deficit and restore budget cuts to addiction healthcare services,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA). And legislators got the message loud and clear.”

“We recognize Illinois faces tough economic problems, but in these times more people turn to drugs and alcohol and treatment must be available.”

“We are urging Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno to raise revenue and to restore cuts made to treatment services by passing a nickel-a-drink alcohol tax increase,” said Howe.

Howe noted that alcohol and drug treatment advocates will keep the pressure on lawmakers by calling and writing their local senators and representatives.

“We’re not going to let up,” said Howe.

Lawmakers are in the final stretch of the General Assembly’s spring legislation which is scheduled to adjourn on May 31.

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by Jud DeLoss on May 4, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Pat Quinn, Illinis Substance Abuse Treatment Funding, Illinois Alcohol Taxes, Illinois Budget, Illinois General Assembly
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on May 4, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/05/04/alcohol-drug-treatment-advocates-descend-on-springfield-urging-lawmakers-to-back-5%c2%a2-a-drink-tax-reverse-quinn-addiction-healthcare-cuts/

“5¢ a Drink” Alcohol Tax Pushed to Reverse Quinn Cuts to Drug, Alcohol Treatment; Help Plug Illinois Budget Hole

(Springfield, IL) – Illinois’ leading drug and alcohol treatment and prevention advocates today called on state lawmakers to increase the state’s alcohol tax by a 5¢ drink.

This move would raise $250 million for cash-strapped Illinois and restore $12.9 million cut from addiction healthcare services in Governor Pat Quinn‘s proposed FY 2010 budget.

IADDA CEO Sara Moscato Howe

IADDA CEO Sara Moscato Howe

“A nickel a drink increase will raise $250 million to help offset the budget deficit and restore budget cuts to addiction healthcare services,” said Sara Moscato Howe, (above) CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).

“We recognize Illinois faces tough economic problems, but in these times more people turn to drugs and alcohol and treatment must be available.”

“We are calling on Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno to raise revenue and to restore cuts made to treatment services by passing a nickel-a-drink alcohol tax increase.”

Howe also noted alcohol abuse and drunk driving continue to exact a terrible, deadly toll on youth and children in communities throughout Illinois.

Recent media reports of drug and alcohol-related driving tragedies reinforce the need for adequately funding the state’s addiction healthcare system.

  • February 5 Edwardsville, IL – “A wrong-way driver whose license was yanked several times for alcohol-related offenses caused the crash early today that killed two adults and a boy and left an 11-year-old girl hospitalized.”
  • February 17 Johnsburg, IL –“Police are investigating who provided alcohol to a 17-year-old Johnsburg High School student who froze to death after a minor car accident last month.”
  • February 18 Elgin, IL – “The blood-alcohol level of an Elgin teen who crashed into a house last fall, killing his passenger, was nearly three times the legal limit for driving, police said.”

Howe also noted an Illinois Department of Human Services study revealed that in 2006 nearly 40 percent of Illinois 12th graders had ridden in a car with a drunk or high teenager in the last year and 30 percent had the same experience with a drunk or high adult.

Lawmakers return to Springfield on April 21 to continue work on the state budget.

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by Jud DeLoss on April 15, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Alcohol Taxes, Illinois Budget, Illinois General Assembly
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on April 15, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/04/15/%e2%80%9c5%c2%a2-a-drink%e2%80%9d-alcohol-tax-pushed-to-reverse-quinn-cuts-to-drug-alcohol-treatment-help-plug-illinois-budget-hole/

House Panel Approves Feigenholtz Bill to Boost Drug, Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Treatment by $74 Million; Quinn, Legislative Leaders Urged to Support Plan

(Springfield, IL) – The Illinois House Appropriations Human Services Committee today approved 17-1 legislation to give a $74 million financial boost to community addiction treatment providers who are relentlessly confronting deadly accidents involving youth linked to alcohol or drugs.

“Alcohol abuse and drunk driving continue to exact a terrible, deadly toll on youth and children in communities throughout Illinois,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association. “Substance abuse is recession-proof.”

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

“We are calling on Governor Pat Quinn, Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno to support State Rep. Feigenholtz’s legislation to invest an additional $74 million this year into under-funded state prevention and treatment services,” said Moscato-Howe.

“We recognize the state faces tough budget problems, but we can’t put a price tag saving peoples’ lives,” Moscato-Howe added.

Feigenholtz’s legislation, House Bill 3928, would appropriate an additional $18,100,000 to community based addiction treatment for Medicaid eligible individuals and KidCare enrolled children.  The legislation would also appropriate an additional $6,000,000 to expand addiction prevention services for youth..

Moscato-Howe also noted a Illinois Department of Human Services study revealed that in 2006 nearly 40% of Illinois 12th graders had rode in a car with a drunk or high teenager in the last year and 30% had had the same experience with a drunk or high adult.

“Youth are at risk from their own problems with substance abuse and the substance abuse problems of adults,” said Moscato-Howe. “That’s why the entire Illinois substance abuse treatment system needs the financial investment.”

“We are grateful to Rep. Feigenholtz and the members of the committee for their commitment to the battle against underage drinking and their support for prevention and treatment.”

Voting “yes” were State Representatives: Sara Feigenholtz, Harry Osterman, Rosemary Mulligan, Patricia Bellock, Beth Coulson, Keith Farnham, Jehan Gordon, Deborah Graham, Elizabeth Hernandez, Eddie Jackson, David Leitch, Deb Mell, Kathy Ryg, Angelo “Skip” Saviano, Tim Schmitz, Darlene Senger, Mark Walker, and Eddie Washington.

Voting “no” was State Represenative: Ron Stephens.

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by Jud DeLoss on March 12, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Pat Quinn, Illinis Substance Abuse Treatment Funding, Illinois House of Represenatives
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on March 12, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/03/12/house-panel-approves-feigenholtz-bill-to-boost-drug-alcohol-abuse-prevention-and-treatment-by-70-million-quinn-legislative-leaders-urged-to-support-plan/

Quinn, Lawmakers Urged to Support $74 Million Schoenberg Plan to Boost Drug, Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Treatment to Protect Youth

(Springfield, IL) – Illinois’ leading addiction healthcare advocates today called on Governor Pat Quinn and top lawmakers to support legislation to give a $74 million financial boost to community addiction

State Senator Jeff Schoenberg

State Senator Jeff Schoenbergprevention and treatment providers who are relentlessly confronting deadly accidents involving youth linked to alcohol or drugs.

“Alcohol abuse and drunk driving continue to exact a terrible, deadly toll on youth and children in communities throughout Illinois,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association. “Addiction is recession-proof.”

“We are calling on Governor Pat Quinn, Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate

Senate President John Cullerton

Senate President John Cullerton

Minority Leader Christine Radogno to support Senator Jeff Schoenberg’s legislation to invest an additional $74 million this year into under-funded addiction healthcare services,” said Moscato Howe.

“We recognize the state faces tough budget problems, but we can’t put a price tag on saving peoples’ lives,” Moscato Howe added.

Schoenberg’s legislation, Senate Bill 1856, would appropriate an additional $18,100,000 to community based addiction treatment for Medicaid eligible individuals and KidCare enrolled children.  The legislation would also appropriate an additional $6,000,000 to expand addiction prevention services for youth.

The bill is currently in the Senate Assignment Appropriations I Committee.

Moscato Howe also noted an Illinois Department of Human Services study revealed that in 2006 nearly 40% of Illinois 12th graders had ridden in a car with a drunk or high teenager in the last year and 30% had had the same experience with a drunk or high adult.

“Illinois youth are at risk of harm and death by their alcohol and drug use and adults’ use too,” said Moscato Howe. “Governor Quinn and lawmakers must act now to increase investment in the addiction healthcare system. Saving lives must be a priority even in a recession”

“We urge the Senate Appropriations Committee to debate the risks faced by Illinois youth from drugs and alcohol and then approve the bill quickly,” said Moscato Howe.

The Senate Appropriations Committee includes: Senators Donne Trotter, Jeff Schoenberg, Jacqueline Collins, William Delgado, Mattie Hunter, Mike Jacobs, Emil Jones III, Matt Murphy, Pamela Althoff, Tim Bivins, Chris Lauzen, and Dave Syverson.

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by Jud DeLoss on March 12, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Pat Quinn, Illinis Substance Abuse Treatment Funding, Illinois Budget, Illinois House of Represenatives, Illinois Senate
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on March 12, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/03/12/quinn-lawmakers-urged-to-support-74-million-schoenberg-plan-to-boost-drug-alcohol-abuse-prevention-and-treatment-to-protect-youth/