SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To work towards addressing Illinois’ crippling opioid crisis, state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, is sponsoring a measure that would increase reporting requirements for deaths involving an opioid overdose.
“Action must be taken to address the opioid crisis in our state, because this is a public health issue. Knowledge is power, so I think that getting as much information on trends in overdoses is imperative,” said Connor. “With the increased information that more thorough reporting would provide, lawmakers help develop sound policy that would work towards ending the opioid epidemic.”
Under Connor’s House Bill 4331, hospitals would be mandated to report the age, gender, race and county of residence of each individual admitted with an opioid overdose diagnosis. Additionally, in cases that result in death by an opioid overdose, a coroner must report the death as well as the age, gender, race and county of residence to the Department of Public Health. The Department of Public Health must then report this information to the General Assembly on a yearly basis.
“The opioid epidemic is devastating our communities, and opiate addiction does not discriminate. It can affect anybody,” continued Connor. “In order to address this rampant issue, I think that it is important to increase the amount of information related to opioid overdoses as much as possible.”
For more information, please contact Connor’s full-time constituent service office by calling 815-372-0085 or by emailing RepConnor@gmail.com.
Rep John Connor
(D-Lockport)
85th District
Springfield Office:
259-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-4179
(217) 557-7204 FAX
District Office:
209 W. Romeo Rd.
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 372-0085
(815) 372-0080 FAX