IL RCCA Regional Coalitions Quarterly Update

April 2026

Lisa Cook, Ph.D., Senior Program Manager  
Rachel King-Johnson, Staff Consultant 

Summary

Across Illinois, regional opioid advisory coalitions continued turning community input into action during their April and May 2026 quarterly meetings. Coalition members reviewed regional needs survey results, discussed their Fiscal Year 2025–2026 workplans, and advanced recommendations designed to respond to opioid-related needs in their communities. 

Trending Regional Needs

Across the regions, coalition members identified several common themes: 

• Organizations are using innovative approaches to help address transportation barriers for clients. 

• Housing instability continues to rise among people who are sheltered and unsheltered. 

• Organizations are increasing engagement with and expansion of their peer workforce. 

• Although overdose deaths have decreased, Black men and Hispanic men remain disproportionally impacted in Illinois.

Regional Priorities

• Expand access to care by reducing stigma, increasing the availability of mental health providers, and creating multiple accessible entry points for people seeking support across the continuum of care. 

• Expansion of peer-supported programs and strengthening support for the peer workforce. 

• Increase regional collaboration to share information about overdose and drug trends. 

• Examine similarities and differences between rural and urban access to care and social determinants of health. 

• Develop innovative harm reduction solutions that address the needs of Black men ages 45 and older. 

• Increase access to low-barrier housing options. 

• Advance workforce development opportunities for high school youth and create recovery-ready workplaces.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, coalitions are finalizing their annual workplans that outline regional priorities and actionable next steps. Each coalition continues working to broaden and diversify their membership so that recommendations reflect the experiences, needs, and strengths of their respective communities.