Illinois Opioid Remediation Fund Administration – Recommendations FAQ

This post answers frequently answered questions about recommendations for use of opioid settlements funds. Please contact the State Opioid Settlement Administrator (SOSA) at [email protected] with additional questions.

Background

The Illinois Office of Opioid Settlement Administration (OOSA) was established per Executive Order 2022-19 to address the opioid crisis by planning, administering, and managing the 55% of the funds received from opioid settlements designated for the Remediation Fund. The OOSA is housed within the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (IDHS/DBHR) and is led by the Statewide Opioid Settlement Administrator (SOSA).

The OOSA ensures opioid settlement funds meet the requirements of the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement (Allocation Agreement), which details the approved opioid abatement strategies. These strategies align with recommendations in the 2022 State of Illinois Overdose Action Plan (SOAP), a comprehensive, equity-centric outline for combatting the opioid epidemic.

Developing a Recommendation

What is a Recommendation?

A recommendation is a proposal suggesting how Illinois should use funds from the Illinois Opioid Remediation Trust Fund (Remediation Fund) to address opioid-related harms. These proposals must align with the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement and the State of Illinois Overdose Action Plan (SOAP). To learn more about the Opioid Settlements and the Remediation Fund, visit the Illinois Opioid Settlements Initiative.

Who Can Submit a Recommendation?

Anyone can submit a recommendation, including:

Individuals
Community organizations
Coalitions or other regional or local working groups
Members of the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board (IORAB) and its Working Groups

Where Do I Submit a Recommendation?

Recommendations are submitted through Illinois Remediation Funds (IRF) Core Abatement Strategy Proposed Recommendation form.

Submit a Recommendation

What Should a Recommendation Include?

A strong recommendation should:

Clearly describe the proposed strategy or intervention
Align with Core Abatement Strategies
Avoid duplication of existing programs or funding
Be feasible within current infrastructure and funding levels
Include measurable outcomes or impact indicators

What Types of Recommendations Are Not Allowed?

Recommendations seeking funding for a particular organization, organization’s program, or for individuals will not be considered.

Can I Submit More Than One Recommendation?

Yes. Multiple recommendations are allowed.

Review and Approval Process

The following images demonstrate an overview of each step of the Review and Approval Process, followed by FAQS.

A conceptual graphic showing two individuals reviewing a checklist. Title is "How-to Guide: Illinois Opioid Remediation Fund Recommendation Review. Step-by-Step Approval Process

A conceptual graphic showing three individuals reviewing a computer screen. Title is "Step 1: Initial Review by OOSA." Body text reads "OOSA reviews submissions for strategic alignment, duplication, and feasibility. May request clarification or combine similar proposals." The figures have speech bubbles reading "Duplication/Supplantation" and "Strategic Alignment."

A conceptual graphic showing three tables consisting of groups of individuals who are conversing. Title is "Step 2: IORAB Working Groups" and the body text reads "Groups develop and refine recommendations. Includes chairs and external experts." One table is labeled "Access & Equity," one is labeled "Workforce Development & Infrastructure," and one is "Workforce Development." At each table one individual has a speech bubble that reads "Develop."

A conceptual graphic showing an individual speaking in front of a group presenting information and then a group of individuals making decisions. Title is "Steps 3 & 4: IORAB & Steering Committee" and the body reads "Recommendations presented at public meetings. Steering Committee makes final decisions."

A conceptual graphic showing a group of individuals sitting at a table conversing and one individual stamping a document. Title is "Step 5: Certification & Completion." The body reads "Attorney General certifies recommendations. Process complete!"

What Happens After I Submit a Recommendation?

Step 1: Initial Review by OOSA

The Office of Opioid Settlement Administration (OOSA), led by the Statewide Opioid Settlements Administrator (SOSA), consults with subject matter experts, state partners, and other interest-holders to review submissions for:

Strategic alignment
Duplication and supplantation
Feasibility

The OOSA will acknowledge receipt of the submission may contact the submitter for clarification and additional details. Similar proposals may be combined during the review process to strengthen their impact.

Step 2: Engagement of IORAB Working Groups

The SOSA partners with the IORAB Working Group Chairs and Working Group members to develop and refine recommendations. The Working groups gather quarterly to develop new recommendations in addition to providing feedback on existing submissions. The SOSA shares submissions with Working Group Chairs, who will determine if recommendations are presented to the working groups to refine.

The Working Groups are the Access and Equity, Medical and Research, and Workforce Development & Infrastructure. Each group is chaired by an IORAB member and may include external experts appointed by IDHS.

Step 3: Presentation to IORAB

Recommendations are presented at public meetings of the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board (IORAB), which may:

Approve
Reject
Defer for revision or clarification

Step 4: Steering Committee Decision

Approved recommendations are forwarded to the Governor’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee (Steering Committee), which has final decision-making authority.

Step 5: Certification by Attorney General

Once approved, recommendations are certified by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to ensure compliance with legal and financial terms.

Can the Public Participate in the Recommendation Process?

Yes. Anyone can submit a recommendation and all IORAB and Steering Committee meetings welcome public comment.

How Can I Stay Informed About Meetings and Decisions?

Visit the IORAB and Steering Committee pages for meeting schedules, recordings, and meeting minutes.
Visit the Illinois Opioid Settlements website for quarterly updates regarding approved recommendations.

Funding and Implementation

What Happens After a Recommendation Is Approved and Certified?

The OOSA identifies a procurement process for each certified recommendation. The processes are:

Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)

A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is a public announcement issued by a government agency or designated administrator (such as IDHS or RCCA) inviting eligible organizations to apply for funding. NOFOs outline:

The purpose of the funding
Eligibility criteria
Application instructions
Deadlines
Evaluation and selection process

In the context of Illinois opioid settlements, NOFOs are used to implement certified recommendations by funding programs that address opioid-related harms.

Service Expansions

Service Expansions refer to the enhancement or scaling up of existing services or initiatives. This can include:

Increasing geographic coverage

Extending capacity

Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs)/Uniform Grant Agreement (UGA)

An Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is a formal contract between two or more government entities—such as state agencies, counties, municipalities, or tribal governments—to collaborate on shared responsibilities or services. IGAs typically:

Define roles and responsibilities
Outline funding arrangements
Establish performance expectations

IGAs may be used to distribute funds, coordinate responses, or implement joint programs across jurisdictions.

Who Develops and Administers NOFOs?

For programs funded by the Opioid Settlements Funds, NOFOs are developed and managed by the Advocates for Human Potential as the Regional Care Coordination Agency (RCCA).

The RCCA handles:

Drafting and posting NOFOs
Application review
Awarding and monitoring subrecipients

Where Do I Submit a Recommendation?

Recommendations are submitted through Illinois Remediation Funds (IRF) Core Abatement Strategy Proposed Recommendation form.

Submit a Recommendation

Where Can I Find Active NOFOs?

Visit Illinois Opioid Settlements Initiative Funding Opportunities to review current funding opportunities.

How Do I Learn Who Received Awards?

Visit IL RCCA Awards. Each program page includes details on the awardees and their program implementation activities.

Can I Submit More Than One Recommendation?

Yes. Multiple recommendations are allowed.

Learn More

To learn more about the committees and groups involved in the Governance Process, review the The Remediation Fund: Governance – Illinois Regional Care Coordination Agency.