05.19.21

Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $105 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding For Mental Health And Addiction Treatment In Illinois

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois has been awarded nearly $105 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to help communities grappling with mental health and addiction challenges that have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois Department of Human Services will receive $54.7 million in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funding and $50.2 million in Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“Even before COVID-19 strained our communities, we had been in the midst of the worst drug overdose crisis in our nation’s history and seen skyrocketing rates of suicide.  The pandemic only worsened these problems,” Durbin said. “This funding will help Illinois providers increase access to treatment and services like trauma-informed counseling and community-based addiction treatment. That’s why Senator Duckworth and I were proud to support the American Rescue Plan, which will continue to help Illinois recover from the effects of the pandemic.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the well-being and mental health of many Illinoisans and Americans across the country, and there’s been an increased need for trauma-informed, community-based and equity-centered treatment and services,” Duckworth said. “I’ll keep working with Senator Durbin to make sure these programs—which are vital to ensuring the health of our nation—have the federal resources and support they need to continue to serve Illinoisans in need during this ongoing public health crisis.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded strains of individuals and families with mental health and substance use disorder challenges—magnifying stress, economic despair, and isolation while at the same time forcing a reduction in necessary services.  In 2020, there were more suicides by Black Cook County residents than in any year over the past decade.  In Illinois, drug overdoses increased 58 percent during the first half of 2020 compared to 2019. 

The ARP provided nearly $4 billion in mental health and addiction treatment grants nationally. Illinois has previously received $63 million in block grant funding in addition to the funding announced today.

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