IDPH Issues Illinois Naloxone Standing Order

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. today announced the release of the Illinois Naloxone Standing Order (Standing Order).  This Standing Order makes a drug that is able to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose more readily available to first responders and the community.

“We are seeing an alarming increase in the number of people in Illinois dying due to opioid overdoses,” said Director Shah.  “By making it easier to obtain, distribute, and administer the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, commonly called Narcan, we can help save the lives of some of the 1,900 estimated annual opioid overdose deaths.”

In September 2015, Illinois enacted Public Act 99-0480 (Act), expanding access to naloxone, which can be used to reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by heroin, fentanyl, and certain prescription pain medications.  The law authorizes trained pharmacists and first responders to dispense naloxone.  However, a prescription is needed to dispense naloxone.  The Standing Order acts as that prescription and authorizes pharmacies, pharmacists, and opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs to obtain and/or distribute naloxone.  Non-pharmacy OEND programs may include law enforcement agencies, drug treatment programs, local health departments, hospitals or urgent care facilities, or other community-based organizations.

The Naloxone Standardized Procedure outlines how entities may become authorized to obtain, dispense, and administer naloxone.  It also includes the educational requirements for obtaining a Standing Order, and for administering naloxone.

The Standing Order fulfills one of the duties assigned to IDPH under Governor Bruce Rauner’s Executive Order 2017-05.  For more information about the Standing Order and the recently released State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan, log onto http://dph.illinois.gov/naloxone. 

From the Illinois Department of Public Health

Press Release From the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity

CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity today announced the Office of Trade and Investment (OTI) received a grant from the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant awarded by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The $890,000 in federal funds will support export growth among Illinois small businesses. Since 2011, the State of Illinois has received a total of $4.8 million in STEP funding from the SBA.

“In our increasingly global economy, companies looking to grow need to look beyond domestic markets,” Department of Commerce Director Sean McCarthy said. “Less than one percent of U.S. companies currently export, making foreign markets a huge growth opportunity for Illinois small businesses. STEP will allow the Illinois Department of Commerce to continue to help Illinois companies explore new markets and grow their businesses abroad and at home.”

Illinois’ State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP) program provides small businesses with financial and technical assistance to increase exports. Eligible companies may participate in group trade missions, individual sales missions, receive assistance for product compliance, prepare international marketing campaigns and participate in general export education.

“The federal award will be invested into OTI’s ISTEP program during the state’s 2018 fiscal year (FY18) to proactively assist more Illinois businesses enter and expand to new international markets” said Margo Markopoulos, director of OTI.

Illinois is the largest exporting state in the Midwest, and the fifth largest exporting state in the country. Illinois companies reported exports of over $59.7 billion in 2016.

For companies interested in expanding their global footprint, OTI coordinates participation at international trade shows for a variety of industries, from life sciences and medicine, to green technology, manufacturing and mining.

The ISTEP program is highly competitive. Applications are accepted throughout the year and are considered on a rolling basis. For more information about trade missions and other resources available through the State of Illinois’ Office of Trade and Investment, please visit www.exports.illinois.gov.

Links to trusted charitable, volunteer organizations available
at www.Ready.Illinois.gov/hurricanehelp

CHICAGO (Sept. 27, 2017) – Governor Bruce Rauner and Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti today encouraged Illinois residents to help the millions of Americans struggling to recover from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria by donating money or time to trusted voluntary, faith-and-community-based charitable organizations.

“Mother Nature has devastated Puerto Rico, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, the U.S. Virgin Islands. As we’ve seen whenever disaster strikes in Illinois, people are eager to help in any way possible,” Gov. Rauner said. “Now, it’s time for us to show that compassion and generosity to help our fellow Americans who have been devastated by hurricanes. We know recovery will take months, even years, so we ask you to please open your hearts to help those struggling to recover.”

Rauner directed people to the www.Ready.Illinois.gov/hurricanehelp website that directs them to a list of organizations where they can donate.

“Many organizations have already been vetted by the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, so you can be assured that your donations to these groups will go where help is truly needed,” said James K. Joseph, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “Volunteers should never self-deploy to a disaster site. Anyone seeking an opportunity to get involved in response and recovery operations is encouraged to volunteer with local and nationally known organizations, such as those vetted by the National VOAD,” he added.

People are advised against donating unsolicited goods, such as used clothing or household items, since they may not meet the needs of those affected. They are encouraged to make financial donations to the organizations. “This allows these reputable organizations to obtain needed resources nearer to the disaster location and more efficiently manage logistics and transportation costs related to moving large volumes of donated items,” added Lt. Governor Sanguinetti.

“Your support now and in the future, will help many Americans in their time of need,” said Gov. Rauner

Press Release from the office of Governor Bruce Rauner

Chicago, IL-Today the United States Supreme Court took an important first step toward ending the unconstitutional practice of dipping into the paychecks of hardworking State employees and forcing them to pay into the union coffers, even if they are not members of the union.

“No person should be forced to give up a portion of their pay each month to fund public sector union activity against their will,” said Governor Bruce Rauner. “It’s a fundamental violation of their First Amendment right to free speech and association. I am hopeful the Court will see it that way in the end.”

The Court has questioned this practice twice in the past five years. Most recently in June of 2016, when it split 4-4, following the death of Justice Scalia. By granting certiorari in Janus v. AFSCME today, the Court is again indicating that it’s concerned about the constitutional implications of forcing non-union members to fund union activities.

Governor Rauner’s Administration has been a leader in protecting the free speech and free association rights of State employees since taking office. These efforts began with Executive Order 2015-13, which directed state agencies to comply with the First Amendment and formed the initial impetus for the Janus case. While the Administration is no longer a party to the litigation, it is pleased to know the Supreme Court has recognized the issues warrant careful consideration. The Court has agreed to resolve this question by the time its current session ends, next June.

Illinois Student Assistance Commission and Partners Offer Statewide Free Assistance with College Applications and FAFSA® Completion

CHICAGO – For a second year, Governor Rauner has proclaimed October College Changes Everything® Month (CCE Month), when the state’s college access and financial aid agency, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and partners will be helping students get on track for college by assisting them with college applications and putting them in the best position possible to receive the funding they need to attend. It’s a particularly important effort as the state, now with a budget in place, must address the impact of a two-year budget delay that left some students with little choice but to drop out of college or leave Illinois—frustrating personal goals and hampering the state’s efforts to increase its skilled workforce.

“This is a time to not only rebuild confidence in Illinois colleges and grant programs, but also to remind our students of the value of a college degree or postsecondary certificate,” said Eric Zarnikow, executive director of ISAC. “Particularly for high school seniors and those considering going back to school, we want them to know that postsecondary education can boost their career and long-term earning potential, and can also positively impact their health and their community. And we want them to know that there is a lot of free assistance to help them make smart choices about school, apply, and get the money they need to pursue a degree or certificate.”

ISAC developed CCE Month as a statewide effort to assist students who, as a result of changes made by the U.S. Department of Education last year, now file both college and financial aid applications in the fall. While ISAC provides free assistance to students and families year round, during CCE Month in October ISAC and partners support well over a thousand workshops that assist students with finding the college that is right for them, completing college applications, and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the application for all federal financial aid and some state aid, including the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. Because there is more demand than funding for grants like MAP, students will want to complete the 2018-19 FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1st in order to have the best chance of getting funding.

Many CCE Month workshops are supported by the ISACorps, a group of recent college graduates working statewide who are extensively trained in assisting students with planning, applying, and paying
for college. To find your local ISACorps member, visit studentportal/isac.org/isacorps. To search by zip code for a free public event near you, visit studentportal/isac.org/events. Students and parents should also check directly with their high schools for events within their own school.

ISAC will also be providing answers to financial aid questions during Facebook Live (@ILStudentAssistance) events from 7-7:30 pm CST on October 3, 11, 16, 23, and 30th, and personalized assistance is also available through ISAC College Q&A (isac.org/qa) a text messaging service where students can get answers to their college and financial aid questions sent directly to their phones. The award-winning ISAC Student Portal (isac.org/studentportal) offers free online tools and resources for students. ISAC also offers assistance through the agency’s call center, 1-800-899-4722 (ISAC).

High schools and counselors who would like to participate in College Changes Everything Month can find information and a downloadable toolkit at collegechangeseverything.org/ccemonth.

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/state-senator-says-cent-gas-tax-increase-needed-to-cover/article_4c2662ac-9fd2-11e7-beca-b31c74a20690.html

(Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A leading state Senate Republican says expanded gambling in Illinois could pay off existing capital construction projects, but there would still need to be a gas tax increase for future ones.

Associated General Contractors of Illinois Executive Director Bill Frey said the need for updates to infrastructure is obvious.

“We know where the road miles are,” Frey said. “We know where the bridges are. We know how to fix them and it’s up to the legislature to pick a revenue stream, or a whole bunch of revenue streams” to pay for it.

State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said there’s already a billion dollars outstanding from the 2009 capital plan that could be covered by expanding gambling.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36446036/dept-of-labor-to-permanently-close-golconda-job-corps

GOLCONDA, IL –  (WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below)

The United States Department of Labor has publicly announced its proposed decision to permanently close the Golconda Job Corps.  The department will formally post its decision to the Federal Register Notice on Tuesday, February 26.  That will also begin a 30-day period of public comment on the DOL’s decision.

In a letter to Congressman Dick Durbin, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor, Byron Zuidema, outlines the reasons for the permanent closure.

Zuidema states, “Since the summer of 2010, Job Corps personnel have been on site at Golconda numerous times, including multiple visits to follow up on serious incidents that occurred on Center.”

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-second-worst-in-state-debt-worst-in-taxpayer-trust/article_f2ef98ba-9d43-11e7-9504-afe0923de4e8.html

(Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Got $50,000 laying around you can hand over to the state? Illinois taxpayers owe that much in debt racked up by state government.

Government finance watchdog Truth In Accounting’s latest Financial State of the States report shows only nine states are free of state debt. The rest, including Illinois, are putting their taxpayers in debt considerably

Among the nine states that have no taxpayer debt is Illinois neighbor Iowa, which comes in at No. 9 with a taxpayer surplus of $500. Wyoming came in at No. 3 with a taxpayer surplus of $20,500, behind Alaska’s $38,200 and North Dakota’s $24,000.