New law strengthens effort to combat opioid crisis

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner took another step today to strengthen the state's effort to combat the opioid crisis by requiring medical professionals to take 3 hours of existing continuing education on how to safely prescribe opioid medications. The education requirement became law when he signed Senate Bill 2777 amending the Illinois Controlled Substance Act.
 
"We're fighting this opioid crisis every day," Rauner said. "It's impacted too many families here in Illinois. We've given people who struggle with substance use more opportunities to get the help they need. We've started a 24-hour Helpline where they can get connected to treatment options. There's a standing order for using opioid reversing Naloxone. We've boosted reporting requirements to our Prescription Monitoring Program to halt ‘doctor-shopping.'"
 
"Now, we want to make sure our doctors see potential signs of abuse and are cautious when prescribing opioid medications to those who need them, cutting back on the potential for addiction," he continued.
 
The legislation was championed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
 
"This law ensures that medical professionals will obtain valuable education while still preserving their ability to use judgment and treat patients appropriately," said IDFPR Secretary Bryan A. Schneider.
 
Impacted professions that hold a separate controlled substance license include: Physicians, Podiatric Physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants, Dentists, Clinical Psychologists, Optometrists, and Veterinarians.
 
"Medical professionals who prescribe and dispense controlled prescription drugs are the first line of defense for patients who rely on them.  Continuing medical education is critically important for those affected by the prescribing of controlled substances," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian M. McKnight, Chicago Field Division.
 
An estimated 11 million Americans have misused opioids in the past year, approximately 1.9 million Americans are addicted to opioids, and 4 out of 5 heroin users started out on prescription opioids
 
"This law along with the Department's adoption of the Federation of State Medical Board's Guidelines on the Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Chronic Pain in Administrative Rule (which became effective July 6) is a vital part of efforts to educate prescribers and is in line with the initiatives set forth by the Governor's Opioid Prevention and Intervention Task Force," said Jessica Baer, IDFPR Division of Professional Regulation Director. "The misuse of prescription opioids has become prolific and vastly contributed to the current epidemic Illinois faces."
 
Illinois released its State Opioid Action Plan along with Executive Order 2017-05, establishing the Governor's Opioid Prevention and Intervention Task Force in September 2017.
 
"This legislation is a notable step in the right direction to protecting the citizens of the State of Illinois from the devastating opioid epidemic that has plagued my community and the entire state," said SB 2777 Sponsor, Illinois State Senator Pamela J. Althoff.  "I am very proud to have been a part of this bi-partisan, bi-cameral effort that will guarantee all prescribers are provided with the proper education to ensure safe methods of prescribing. I also commend Governor Rauner and the Department for championing this legislation as well as the adoption of prescribing guidelines earlier this summer." 
 
Gov. Bruce Rauner also took action on the following bills:
 
Bill No.: HB 5784
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Sign
Effective Date: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 1979
An Act Concerning Revenue
Action: Sign
Effective Date: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2447
An Act Concerning Regulation
Action: Sign
Effective Date: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 2544
An Act Concerning Local Government
Action: Amendatory Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: SB 2619
An Act Concerning Local Government
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: SB 2662
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Veto
Note: Veto Message Below
 
Bill No.: SB 2777
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Sign
Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Bill No.: SB 2858
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Sign
Effective Date: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 3139
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Sign
Effective Date: Immediately
 
Bill No.: SB 3143
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Sign
Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2019
 
Veto Message for HB 2544 is below:
 
August 27, 2018      
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today, I return Senate Bill 2544 with specific recommendations for change.

This legislation would allow for a referendum to make the the Chief Assessor of Lake County, a position currently appointed by the County Board Chairman, an elected position in the future. While this legislation promotes the accountability of property tax officials to the taxpayers they serve, it furthers a concerning practice of local carve-outs in state law. What is beneficial to Lake County taxpayers and voters may also be beneficial to citizens across the state, who should get the same opportunity to determine whether an elected county assessor would better serve their communities.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(e) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2544, entitled "AN ACT concerning local government," with the following specific recommendations for change:

On page 4, by replacing line 15 with: "Sec. 3-47. Appointed county assessor referendum; election."; and

On page 4, line 17 through 20 with: "the election authority for a county with an appointed county assessor shall cause to be submitted to the voters of such county at the general election held on November 6, 2018 a referendum to convert the office of the county assessor to an elected"; and

By replacing line 24 on page 4 through line 2 on page 5 with: ""Shall the office of the county assessor in (county) be an elected office beginning with the 2020 general election?""; and
On page 5, by replacing lines 8 through 10 with: "office of the county assessor in the county where the referendum was approved shall become an elected office. The county assessor in such county shall then be elected at the first general election"; and

On page 5 by replacing lines 12 through 15 with: "county assessor under this Section, the office of the then-serving county assessor shall become vacant, and the newly elected county assessor shall assume that office."; and

On page 5, by replacing lines 16 and 17 with: "(c) Should the office of a county assessor become an elected office as provided under".

With these changes, Senate Bill 2544 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.

Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for HB 2619 is below:
 
August 27, 2018
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto Senate Bill 2619 from the 100th General Assembly, which mandates that home rule communities comply with increased eligibility criteria for the appointment of a fire chief, acting chief, the department head, or other positions responsible for day-to-day operations of a fire department.
 
This bill would preempt home rule authority and mandate the use of eligibility criteria for the appointment of a municipal department head. While local governments might value the type of experience and training this bill would require, it would force them to exclude qualified candidates coming from different backgrounds including leaders from other public safety disciplines.
 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2619, entitled "AN ACT concerning local government," with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
 
Veto Message for HB 2662 is below:
 
August 27, 2018      
 
 
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
100th General Assembly:
 
Today I veto Senate Bill 2662 from the 100th General Assembly, which creates the Task Force on Human Services Contracting Act. 

While the goal of the task force is important, creating a task force that will develop recommendations on how State departments and agencies interact will likely conflict with the Grant Accountability & Transparency Act (GATA). GATA already prescribes how the state and grantees interact. The State and grantees are still acclimating to the changes prescribed by GATA and to change things midstream would undo positive changes GATA has made.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2662, entitled "AN ACT concerning State government", with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,
 
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR