2026 Legislative Priorities

  Protect funding to support community mental health services. 

 Protect the intent of the Community Mental Health Act.

Expand Medicaid funding for people who are on the PUNS list, including increasing rates, allocating adequate appropriations, and ensuring rate increases do not negatively impact other area of care.

Monitoring the implementation of Medicaid redeterminations, paperwork, and work requirements on recipients. Support any State efforts to mitigate the harm of these federal policies on recipients.

Advocate for strengthening the I/DD service system through necessary redesign including, but not limited to, efforts around improving 1915C waiver, expanding a continuum of supportive housing options, and ensuring adequate funding for these programs.

Support all Suicide Prevention efforts, especially those in school settings.

Continue to advocate for measures which address workforce development to ensure adequate staffing in community mental health, substance use treatment, and I/DD organizations. 

 Monitor the implementation of the Community Emergency Services and Support Act. Public Act 102-580.

 Monitor the state-wide implementation of 988 and subsequent changes to the crisis response system for adults. Advocate for increased funding for local communities relative to new system requirements.

Monitor the implementation of Illinois’ Pathways model. (Advocate for the well-being of peer support workers.)

Monitor changes to the crisis response system for children.

Promote the state or federal increase of funding for school-based mental health and early intervention/prevention services.

Advocate for additional funding for substance use disorder treatment services.  

Monitor efforts to restrict harmful access to hemp derivatives (i.e. Delta 8 and 9) Kratom, and other synthetic substances.    

Monitor alignment of workforce policies around THC testing because of the legalization of recreational use marijuana.

Advocate for expedited transfers from institutions (hospital/jail/prison) to a State operated mental health facility for individuals who are seriously mentally ill (SMI). This may include encouraging DHS to partner with municipalities on innovative local solutions.

Monitor efforts in local government administration that create a threat to 708, 553, and 377 boards (i.e. government consolidation).