Latest news with #Preckwinkle
Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle endorses state Sen. Robert Peters for Congress
Cook County Democrats last week declined to pick official favorites in the crowded primary fields ahead of next year's congressional primaries, but the party's chair is backing a protégé in the race to replace U.S. Rep Robin Kelly in the district that stretches from the South Side to central Illinois. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Monday announced her support for state Sen. Robert Peters, a South Side progressive, in the March Democratic primary to replace Kelly, who is forgoing a reelection bid for the 2nd Congressional District seat to run for the U.S. Senate. Peters worked as an activist on economic and criminal justice issues with both Preckwinkle and another of her protégés, former Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. Preckwinkle also backed Peters for an appointment to the Illinois Senate in 2019 to replace Kwame Raoul after Raoul's was elected the state's attorney general. Preckwinkle's endorsement comes as the potential entry of former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. into the race could dramatically alter the landscape in the 2nd Congressional District primary. Preckwinkle described Peters in a statement Monday as one of her 'most trusted partners in the state legislature.' 'There is no stronger advocate for working people, for social justice and for economic fairness than Robert,' Preckwinkle said. 'I've watched him grow from a hard working young organizer, to an accomplished state legislator. All the while, he's never shied away from the tough conversations necessary to build the coalitions needed to win difficult fights.' Peters acknowledged the four-term County Board president as 'a mentor for me throughout my time in organizing and in public service.' 'I know she will continue to be a trusted ally and coach as I campaign all throughout the 2nd District, and as I take on the big fights in Congress, like fighting cuts to Medicaid, (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and the (Department of Veterans Affairs),' Peters said in a statement. Peters, who already has a big-name endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, has an early fundraising advantage over six other Democrats who've officially declared their candidacies, a group that doesn't include Jackson. From entering the race in mid-May through the end of June, Peters raised more than $415,000, and he entered July with nearly $375,000 in his campaign account, Federal Election Commission records show. That's more than all the other candidates combined, though two of them, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller of Lynwood and state Sen. Willie Preston of Chicago, entered the race after the end of the previous reporting period. After forming an exploratory committee, Jackson told the Tribune last week that it's his 'intention to secure a place on the ballot' in the primary for his former seat in Congress. Jackson resigned in 2012 amid a corruption probe and later went to federal prison for conspiring to defraud his reelection campaign of about $750,000 that was used to pay for personal expenses such as home renovations, two mounted elk heads and high-end merchandise, including mink clothes and a Michael Jackson autographed guitar. Jackson's family has rallied behind Preckwinkle in the past. When she was overwhelmingly defeated in her 2019 bid for mayor, Jackson's father, civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson, hosted her and Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot at his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and told those in attendance not to abandon Preckwinkle in her moment of defeat. He enjoined the crowd to repeat after him: 'Toni is the president of the Cook County Board and of all Democrats. We shall fight to maintain her gain.' The 2nd Congressional District stretches south along the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Indiana border from 43rd Street in Chicago to Danville. Major party candidates for the March 17 primaries can begin collecting petition signatures on Aug. 5 to get their names on the ballot.
Chicago Tribune
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Cook County Democrats hold off endorsement decision for county assessor, don't back Board of Review incumbent
Cook County Democrats punted Thursday on endorsing anyone for Cook County assessor, putting two-term incumbent Fritz Kaegi at risk of an open primary fight as he vies for a third term. The lack of an endorsement is the latest twist in the complex relationship between Kaegi and county Democrats. Eight years ago, Kaegi defeated incumbent Assessor and then-Cook County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Berrios in the Democratic primary race for assessor. Kaegi went on to win the 2018 general election and was subsequently endorsed by the party four years ago. But during a closed-door executive session of party higher-ups Thursday at the IBEW Local 134 meeting hall in Bronzeville, Black members of a party committee united to oppose a recommendation that the full county party organization endorse Kaegi when it convenes Friday. Caucus members were split on which of Kaegi's two primary challengers to support. Several other committee members voted 'present' on a Kaegi endorsement recommendation, bringing him short of the threshold needed to win the endorsement of the countywide slating committee. Instead, the full party will vote on that endorsement Friday. The Kaegi drama highlighted the first day of the party's slating sessions. The Democratic Party's endorsement carries less heft than in decades past, but still gives lesser-known candidates a leg up, providing help with petition signing, campaigning, and inclusion on countywide mailers heading into the March 17, 2026 primary. Candidates at slating make a brief presentation and take questions from fellow committee members from the city's wards and suburban townships. During the first session day, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle — who now chairs the party — avoided a direct faceoff with potential challengers 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly and former state Sen. Rickey 'Hollywood' Hendon. Reilly hasn't formally announced a run against Preckwinkle for County Board president as he is also considering a mayoral run. But Reilly attended the event as the party committeeman for his downtown ward. He planned to appeal to fellow Democrats for an open primary, but told the Tribune he was not allowed to speak during the early morning presentations or during a closed session because he was not a member of the countywide slating committee. Hendon said he was not allowed to present because he did not submit his resume early enough. That left Preckwinkle as the sole candidate and resulted in her winning the committee's endorsement. That decision must also be affirmed Friday. First elected board president in 2010, Preckwinkle, 78, sought to tamp down rumors she planned to end what would be her fifth term early and hand over the reins to a political ally. 'I look forward to being reelected and I will serve the entire term,' she pledged. During a brief presentation, she said she would defend the county's ordinance welcoming immigrants and fight for continued access to health care for county residents despite federal attacks on immigrant issues and health care funding. She won praise from allies such as state Sen. Rob Martwick, who credited Preckwinkle for her work in stabilizing the county's pensions and budget. 'All these issues we care about don't matter if we can't afford to pay for them,' he said. During his pitch to party leaders, Kaegi of Oak Park highlighted his advocacy for creating new incentives for affordable housing construction, his work to automatically renew a program that freezes property values for some seniors, and his 'circuit breaker' legislation designed to help low-income homeowners pay for big hikes in their property tax bills. 'When we work together, we can solve big problems,' he told committee members. 'Let's keep going.' Kaegi's personal wealth and ability to self-fund his candidacy represent a major challenge for his opponents, who are largely political unknowns. Kaegi ended the most recent quarter with $1.3 million in the bank. Since 2017, he has loaned himself roughly $5.4 million, including $750,000 earlier this year, according to the State Board of Elections. Any eventual challenger, however, is likely to attract contributions from the business community and commercial real estate interests, both of which have disagreed with Kaegi's methods in running the office. Two Democratic challengers who work at the Cook County Board of Review — which hears appeals to Kaegi's assessments — are so far trailing behind on fundraising and have yet to rally enough committeemen to win an endorsement, either. Timnetra Burruss, the Board of Review's main administrator, ended the quarter with $51,610 on hand, according to campaign records, $50,000 of which came from state Sen. Napoleon Harris, who represents voter-heavy Thornton Township. Dana Pointer, who serves as an outreach coordinator for Board of Review commissioner and constant Kaegi critic Larry Rogers, received a $50,000 loan from Rogers. Burruss, who previously worked for Rogers, told committee members she entered the race after becoming 'frustrated' by rising assessments that did not mirror market values, plus 'thousands upon thousands of errors and general disregard about impact on property owners.' She said she would support creating a new exemption for historically disinvested communities in federal opportunity zones and make it easier for property owners to sign up for other exemptions. Pointer blasted Kaegi's 'mismanagement and lack of transparency,' which she said contributed to this year's late property tax bills, as well as property assessment adjustments Kaegi's office made following the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'apartment loophole' Kaegi's office closed last year, which hiked assessments for certain business properties, wiped out 'some families' generational wealth,' she added. His 'continued use of propaganda to pit homeowners against business owners needs to stop,' Pointer said. Patrick Hynes, the current Lyons Township assessor, said he had 'fought tenaciously for fairness' in his corner of the suburbs after auditing current records and finding several properties missing from the property tax rolls. The Tribune and the Illinois Answers Project detailed some of those problems last year, finding the assessor's office had missed at least $444 million of assessed property value by misclassifying and undervaluing properties, primarily due to its failure to account for new construction and significant property improvements. 'I restored fairness and I will do the same for Cook County,' Hynes said, pledging to begin capturing more data to better reflect homes' true value. First-term Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele also failed to earn the party's endorsement as she runs for a second term. County Democrats opted not to back any candidates in her race for one of the seats on the three-member panel. County Democrats did endorse the other Board of Review commissioner running next year, George Cardenas. Steele, who until recently served on Lake County, Indiana's, property tax appeals board and runs a property valuation consulting business with government clients in Indiana, has been dogged by several controversies in recent months. On Monday, the county's inspector general cited an unnamed Board of Review commissioner for not properly disclosing outside work. The details of the case match Steele, whose annual economic reports did not disclose details about government contracts through her private business, the Leonor Group. Her annual economic interest statements mentioned she owned the firm but not which units of government she worked for, a failing the IG's office said equated to a breach of her fiduciary duty to the county. She's also been fined by the county's ethics board, and she's still fighting a DUI charge from last year. Steele has called the ethics fines 'unfair.' In a statement to the Tribune, she said she was 'singled out' for releasing confidential information about the valuation battle for the Arlington Heights property now owned by the Chicago Bears, arguing it was 'the public's right to know' about information that was already discussed aloud in a public hearing. Steele, who raised just $26,375 last quarter and has only $27,000 on hand in her campaign fund, had publicly considered running against Kaegi for assessor. But last week she dropped out of the race and said she wanted to focus on her board work. One of her opponents, Liz Nicholson, has a background in public relations, fundraising and advising nonprofits. Northfield Township Trustee Vincent Pace, who has worked in real estate investment and finance, also presented to the Democrats seeking the endorsement. Steele gave a brief presentation Thursday, but no committee members asked questions — a troubling sign given that the question period typically features supporters singing the praises of their candidates. No one presented to challenge incumbents Maria Pappas for another term as county treasurer, Monica Gordon for county clerk or Tom Dart for sheriff. All received the committee's recommendations for endorsement. Clad in a pink sweater that read 'All this and brains too,' Pappas highlighted successful efforts to sign up taxpayers for exemptions they were owed and her office's studies of major property tax issues. 'I don't think anybody's running against me, but if they are, I love a good fight,' she said. The party reconvenes Friday morning to hear from statewide candidates, including for U.S. Senate and comptroller, an opening that arose following incumbent Susana Mendoza's announcement that she would not run for reelection. A new name surfaced for the comptroller's post Thursday: State Sen. Karina Villa, a Latina who was born and raised in West Chicago. A former vice president of the local school board who has a master's degree in social work from Aurora University, Villa was elected to the Illinois House in 2018 and to the state Senate two years later. Villa is scheduled to present her credentials for comptroller to slatemakers Friday, along with state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim.
Politico
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Preckwinkle's got Pritzker and a poll
Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. The news doesn't stop. TOP TALKER FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's campaign team says she's been endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker in her re-election bid — and she has polling that shows she could trounce any competitor. 'Toni Preckwinkle is a fierce champion for Cook County, a true partner in governance, and a good friend. I'm proud to endorse her re-election,' Pritzker said in a statement. Bringing home his point: The governor said while President Donald Trump is 'dismantling constitutional rights, defunding public safety and slashing healthcare, Toni is a tested, successful leader we need standing up for working families.' The bold support follows Playbook's report about Preckwinkle facing potential challenges from former state Sen. Rickey Hendon and Chicago Ald. Brendan Reilly. Both have sophisticated campaign organizations that could put up a fight. She's got a poll: Preckwinkle's team says she'd crush any challenger, and they point to a recent poll from Tulchin Research as proof. The survey says Preckwinkle holds a 61 percent job approval rating. She 'is also favored for re-election by a 2-to-1 margin, with 58 percent of likely Democratic primary voters supporting her compared to just 29 percent who prefer someone else,' according to the campaign. Worth noting: The survey was done in February — before we knew who competitors might be in the race — though the campaign notes that the numbers are based on 'any' Democratic opponent. The full polling memo is here. RELATED GEARING UP: Gov. JB Pritzker has sent out invitations for a Thursday morning event. The invite is short on details, so recipients are guessing it's a campaign kick-off to run for a third term. The governor's campaign didn't immediately return a request for comment. There's no limit to the number of terms an Illinois governor can serve. Gov. Richard Oglesby served during three non-consecutive terms, and Gov. Jim Thompson was elected to four. THE BUZZ THREE YEARS AGO TODAY, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, ending the federal right to abortion and allowing states to restrict or outright ban the procedure. States like Illinois, which is a haven for reproductive care, have picked up the mantle, explain Gov. JB Pritzker and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in an opinion piece in Time magazine this morning. Read it here 'The Dobbs decision didn't end abortion in America. Instead, it's been rerouted to a few states now bearing the weight of a national need,' the governors write. 'States like ours — Illinois and New Mexico — have become what many call 'surge states,' where Americans facing extreme abortion restrictions in neighboring states turn for abortion care in record numbers.' Numbers prove their point: Illinois now has the highest number of abortions provided to out-of-state residents, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which credits a strong infrastructure that connects reproductive health-care to traveling patients. 'The more restrictive' other states are about abortion 'means the more people come here for care,' said Sarah Garza Resnick, the CEO of Personal PAC. Check out Friday's Women Rule newsletter for the full interview. RELATED: Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) has introduced the Access to Birth Control Act, which would guarantee patients' access to over-the-counter birth control at pharmacies. 'Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade three years ago, refusals in pharmacies to fulfill a birth control prescription or purchase have increased,' Kelley explains in a statement. The full text of the bill is here. If you are JB Pritzker, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON No official public events Where's Toni In Park Forest at 11 a.m. for a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of the Veterans Home Repair Program — Online at 1 p.m. for a media briefing on the Cook County Criminal Justice Dashboard Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — State Rep. Adam Niemerg, a Republican from Dieterich, has announced he's running for re-election to a fourth term. 'I will continue to fight for Southern Illinois values in Springfield,' Niemerg said in a statement. 'I'm proud to stand with President Trump and the America First movement as we push back against the radical left and put our communities first.' THE STATEWIDES — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul criticizes Trump administration as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defends record: The U.S. attorney general 'shouldn't be loyal to the president, but she should be loyal to the rule of law,' Raoul said during a hearing in Washington on Monday with AGs from Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey, by the Center Square's Greg Bishop. — Supreme Court won't hear appeal over Illinois' Covid vaccine mandate, by Crain's Jon Asplund — Q&A with state Sen. Ram Villivalam on the transit fiscal cliff, via Governing's Jared Brey — Pritzker OKs changes to Prisoner Review Board following years of controversy, by Capitol News' Ben Szalinski — Taxes on vapes, Zyn and most tobacco products go up July 1, by the Tribune's Jeremy Gorner ILLINOIS' POPE — Before Robert F. Prevost was the pope, he thanked Gov. Pat Quinn for ending the death penalty: 'Catholic organizations had lobbied Quinn to end the death penalty. The former governor was not previously aware of Prevost's message to him,' by WBEZ's Mawa Iqbal. CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson firm on ending tipped subminimum wage as restaurant group calls for reversal: 'Johnson pledged to continue the planned gradual raises for tipped worker minimum pay, including an hourly raise from $11.02 to $12.62 going into effect next week. Meanwhile, restaurant groups argue the so-called 'One Fair Wage ordinance has forced businesses to shutter and led to a decrease in hospitality jobs,' by the Tribune's Jake Sheridan. — Mayor credits tipped minimum wage law with fueling growth in Chicago, by the Sun-Times' Amy Yee — CPS needs to borrow to avoid cuts, CTU chief Stacy Davis Gates argues: 'With Chicago Public Schools facing a $529 million budget deficit, the teachers union president says Chicago needs to stand up to President Donald Trump's attacks on public education by supporting its schools,' by WBEZ's Sarah Karp. — Northwest Side Council members want out of anti-gentrification zone, saying it's 'punishing' longtime homeowners: 'Alds. Felix Cardona Jr. and Gilbert Villegas say there's too much red tape in the program that gives renters the right of first refusal to buy their building,' by the Block Club's Ariel Parrella-Aureli and Quinn Myers. — Lincoln Yards site is poised for new chapter, but debate over what went wrong with the stalled project continues: CEO Andy Gloor says the Lightfoot administration was slow to issue needed approvals, setting the project back by several years. But former Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently told Axios otherwise, saying, 'You've got a high-rise building over here that was supposed to be a new life sciences building that doesn't have one tenant… They're liars. They never had the money,' via the Tribune's y Brian J. Rogal and Gregory Royal Pratt. — Lake Michigan has fallen nearly 4 feet since 2020, changing the shape of Chicago's lakefront, by the Block Club's Madison Savedra TAKING NAMES — Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a self-described 'finance nerd,' is out with a new podcast: 'The Mendoza Podcast — Financial Talk that Makes Cents.' Listen here — Greg Harris, the former Illinois House majority leader, will be honored by Chicago Parks Foundation at the AIDS Garden Chicago on Thursday as part of Pride Month. Details here — Former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun releases memoir 'Trailblazer: Perseverance in Life and Politics,' via CBS 2 Reader Digest We asked about non-political people who are powerful in politics. Suzie Bassi: 'Businesswoman Penny Pritzker.' Michael Burton: 'Our White Sox lovin', social justice-espousing pontiff, Pope Leo XIV!' Josef Michael Carr Jr.: 'Larry Ivory, the president and CEO of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce.' Mathias Delort: 'Consultant Kevin Conlon.' Mike Gascoigne: 'Barack Obama is retired from politics but still influential.' Lucas Hawley: 'The great and powerful Joseph James Rogan.' Bill Henkel: 'Jesse White, who's retired from politics.' Jim Lyons: 'Warren Buffet. When he speaks about the economy, people still listen.' Michael Mannion: 'Kirk Dillard. He's a former state senator who now chairs the board of the RTA. His contacts, political acumen and balanced approach to problem-solving have made him a respected bipartisan individual Illinois' political arena.' Dan Mattoon: 'Jim Edgar, who's retired from politics.' Will Newton: 'Cardinal Blase Cupich.' John Straus: 'Mark Cuban.' Timothy Thomas: 'David Axelrod. Never held an office but was instrumental in the successful elections of Mayor Harold Washington and President Barack Obama and started up/directed the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.' NEXT QUESTION: Who are you hoping the Bulls draft on Wednesday? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Sen. Tammy Duckworth says she's voting 'no' on the nominee to head the FAA, via post THE NATIONAL TAKE — Trump says both Iran and Israel violated the ceasefire, by The Associated Press — Mamdani's victory would signal seismic shift in national politics and test for socialist movement, by POLITICO's Jason Beeferman — Supreme Court eases rapid deportations to countries where immigrants have no ties, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney — Senate Republicans work to salvage SNAP cost-share savings, by POLITICO's Grace Yarrow and Meredith Lee Hill — House Democrats needle the GOP over Jan. 6 with replica plaques, by POLITICO's Mia McCarthy TRANSITIONS — Michal Sered-Schoenberg is now chief of staff to Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel. She was the district director for Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita. — Longtime Arlington Heights Village Clerk Becky Hume set to retire: 'Her successor will be Maggie Mattio, who is now an administrative assistant in the finance department,' by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek. — Greg Oguss is now a partner with Mayer Brown in Chicago, working in the firm's corporate and securities practice and global insurance Industry group. Oguss was global chief counsel for corporate development at Athene Holding Ltd., a subsidiary of Apollo Global Management Inc. — Tom Posey is now a shareholder attorney at the Buchalter law firm, which has offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. Posey also is the national chair of the firm's labor management relations group. He was a partner at Seyfarth Shaw. TRIVIA MONDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Michael Kreloff for correctly answering that Alice Palmer was kicked off the ballot after newcomer Barack Obama challenged her signatures, which were circulated by kids named 'Pookie and Squirt.' TODAY's QUESTION: Who were the sitting Illinois state senators who married each other? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY State Sen. Omar Aquino, former state Rep. Joe Lyons, Stomping Ground Strategies Media Relations Director Jaclyn Driscoll, Chicago Department of Buildings Managing Deputy Commissioner Grant Ullrich, Illinois Department of Early Childhood Chief of Staff K.C. Stralka, Doejo founder and CEO Phil Tadros, comms strategist Michael Tirrell and The New York Times' Adrienne Hurst, a POLITICO alum -30-
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mobile help for opioid overdoses rolls into south suburbs with aid of Cook County $1M grant
Family Guidance Centers offers medications to people meant to counteract the effects of opioid overdoses from a clinic. But whether it's access to transportation, child care needs or physical limitations, the nonprofit knows there are many people who need the lifesaving drugs but can't get to the clinic, said Ron Vlasaty, Family Guidance Centers' chief operating officer. With the help of a Cook County grant of nearly $1 million, Vlasaty and county officials celebrated the rollout of a van that will bring the medications to more than two dozen south suburbs. The program was announced Friday during a news conference outside the Posen Fire Department's headquarters, with the new van and another already in use by Family Guidance Centers parked outside. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said while opioid overdose fatalities are 'trending in the right direction,' the problem is still of major concern. 'This crisis is everywhere,' Preckwinkle said. 'This is a challenge we have all over the country, not just in Cook County.' With the rollout of the van, a refurbished ambulance, residents will no longer need to overcome transportation or access issues, she said. We are 'able to deliver the care and services right where they are,' Preckwinkle said. The van is equipped with a nurse, peer recovery support specialist and outreach staff to deliver care directly to communities most affected by the opioid crisis, according to the county. It carries methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone, FDA-approved medications for opioid and other drug overdoses. Family Guidance Centers' other van delivers naloxone, also known as Narcan, which can revive a person suffering an opioid overdose, Vlasaty said. Posen police Chief William Alexander said opioid overdoses are one of the most urgent challenges faced by first responders. 'We are losing far too many lives to addiction and senseless violence,' Alexander said. Preckwinkle said, with the rollout of the van, health care officials are working to operate in a backdrop of possible federal spending cuts that would help their efforts. The nearly $1 million grant to Family Guidance Centers comes from the county's allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 'We see at the federal level a discouraging and alarming willingness to cut health care services,' Preckwinkle said, vowing Cook County will continue to provide services to those in need. 'If someone needs help we want to make sure they get it,' she said. Deborah Sims, former Cook County commissioner for the 5th District, which includes many south suburbs, said 'this is a good day.' Sims said that in delivering health care, agencies 'always want people to come to us.' 'If we can take it to the community it's always better for us and better for the residents,' she said. The grant program is part of the county's Stronger Together initiative, a countywide effort focused on behavioral health equity, system coordination and the expansion of community-based care, according to the county. The county grant to Family Guidance Centers is spread over three years, and the mobile unit will operate Monday through Friday. Tom Nutter, chief behavioral health officer with the Cook County Office of Behavioral Health, said opioid addiction affects people from the very start, creating a dependency that requires increasing amounts of drugs. For those with addictions, Nutter said their day 'begins with how will I get the drug and how will I pay for it?' Nutter praised Family Guidance Centers for its work, saying they bring 'unquestionable dedication' to the job. The Cook County Office of Behavioral Health was established by the county in 2023 to address the behavioral health needs of county residents, particularly those from historically marginalized and underserved populations. Vlasaty said that the Family Guidance Centers operates 14 locations in Illinois, including eight in Cook County. He said the Harvey clinic takes in residents from many south suburbs, but people can't always get to that location. Vlasaty said the van will be able to go to patients' homes or central locations, such as village halls and police and fire stations, to distribute medications. He said the nonprofit already distributes naloxone, which can help revive someone suffering an opioid overdose, to south suburban police departments through a smaller van it purchased with help of a previous county grant. Family Guidance Centers also has a naloxone distribution point at Harvey's Pace bus station, established about a year ago. He said it needs to be refilled every couple of days and was done in conjunction with the county and Pace. Vlasaty said Family Guidance Centers will put up informational posters at municipal buildings, liquor stores, gas stations and food pantries 'and wherever people congregate' to publicize the new mobile unit. 'We need to get the word out to where people are at to let them know this is available,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
30-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Mobile help for opioid overdoses rolls into south suburbs with aid of Cook County $1M grant
Through a clinic in Harvey, Family Guidance Centers offers medications to people meant to counteract the effects of opioid overdoses. But whether it's access to transportation, child care needs or physical limitations, the nonprofit knows there are many people who need the lifesaving drugs but can't get to the clinic, said Ron Vlasaty, Family Guidance Centers' chief operating officer. With the help of a Cook County grant of nearly $1 million, Vlasaty and county officials celebrated the rollout of a van that will bring the medications, used to revive people suffering the effects of an opioid overdose, to more than two dozen south suburbs. The program was announced Friday during a news conference outside the Posen Fire Department's headquarters, with the new van and another already in use by Family Guidance Centers parked outside. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said while opioid overdose fatalities are 'trending in the right direction,' the problem is still of major concern. 'This crisis is everywhere,' Preckwinkle said. 'This is a challenge we have all over the country, not just in Cook County.' With the rollout of the van, which is a refurbished ambulance, residents will no longer need to overcome transportation or access issues, she said. We are 'able to deliver the care and services right where they are,' Preckwinkle said. The mobile van is equipped with a nurse, peer recovery support specialist and outreach staff to deliver care directly to communities most affected by the opioid crisis, according to the county. It carries methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone, FDA-approved medications for opioid and other drug overdoses. Family Guidance Centers' other van delivers naloxone, also known as Narcan, which can revive a person suffering an opioid overdose, Vlasaty said. Posen police Chief William Alexander said opioid overdoses are one of the most urgent challenges faced by first responders. 'We are losing far too many lives to addiction and senseless violence,' Alexander said. Preckwinkle said, with the rollout of the van, health care officials are working to operate in a backdrop of possible federal spending cuts that would help their efforts. The nearly $1 million grant to Family Guidance Centers comes from the county's allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 'We see at the federal level a discouraging and alarming willingness to cut health care services,' Preckwinkle said, vowing Cook County will continue to provide services to those in need. 'If someone needs help we want to make sure they get it,' she said. Deborah Sims, former Cook County commissioner for the 5th District, which includes many south suburbs, said 'this is a good day.' Sims said that in delivering health care, agencies 'always want people to come to us.' 'If we can take it to the community it's always better for us and better for the residents,' she said. The grant program is part of the county's Stronger Together initiative, a countywide effort focused on behavioral health equity, system coordination and the expansion of community-based care, according to the county. The county grant to Family Guidance Centers is spread over three years, and the mobile unit will operate Monday through Friday. Tom Nutter, chief behavioral health officer with the Cook County Office of Behavioral Health, said opioid addiction affects people from the very start, creating a dependency that requires increasing amounts of drugs. For those with addictions, Nutter said their day 'begins with how will I get the drug and how will I pay for it?' Nutter praised Family Guidance Centers for its work, saying they bring 'unquestionable dedication' to the job. The Cook County Office of Behavioral Health was established by the county in 2023 to address the behavioral health needs of county residents, particularly those from historically marginalized and underserved populations. Vlasaty said that the Family Guidance Centers operates 14 locations in Illinois, including eight in Cook County. He said the Harvey clinic takes in residents from many south suburbs, but people can't always get to that location. Vlasaty said the van will be able to go to patients' homes or central locations, such as village halls and police and fire stations, to distribute medications. He said the nonprofit already distributes naloxone, which can help revive someone suffering an opioid overdose, to south suburban police departments through a smaller van it purchased with help of a previous county grant. Family Guidance Centers also has a naloxone distribution point at Harvey's Pace bus station, established about a year ago. He said it needs to be refilled every couple of days and was done in conjunction with the county and Pace. Vlasaty said Family Guidance Centers will put up informational posters at municipal buildings, liquor stores, gas stations and food pantries 'and wherever people congregate' to publicize the new mobile unit. 'We need to get the word out to where people are at to let them know this is available,' he said.
