Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly approved a bill sponsored by State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) to combat opioid overdoses by strengthening reporting standards statewide.
If signed by Gov. JB Pritzker, the legislation would amend Illinois’ Emergency Medical Services Systems Act, requiring all municipalities — not just Chicago — to log suspected overdoses using the state’s Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program, an online tool designed to support first responders.
In a Friday news release from the Illinois Senate Democrats, Fine called the opioid epidemic a statewide problem.
“Thousands of Illinoisans face opioid overdoses every year — more than motor vehicle accidents and homicides,” Fine said in the news release. “The opioid crisis has taken lives and a sense of security in our communities, which is why it is critical to initiate life-saving preventative measures.”
The bill would also bolster patient privacy by ensuring overdose information reported by EMS providers is not used in opioid-related criminal investigations, prosecutions and welfare checks.
The legislation directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to utilize ODMAP data to identify “areas of need” and pursue harm reduction efforts accordingly.
“This measure helps to prevent future overdose cases by ensuring data is used to identify vulnerable communities and implement essential public health interventions,” Fine said.
Since 2019, Fine has represented Illinois’ 9th Senate District, which encompasses North Shore suburbs like Evanston, Wilmette and Glenview. She is now running to succeed U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Congress.
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