$40 Million Behavioral Health Bump in Pritzker Budget Hailed

(Springfield, IL) – Illinois’ top behavioral health advocates today praised Governor J.B. Pritzker’s proposed $40 million increase for mental health and addiction treatment services in next year’s spending plan.

In his Fiscal Year 2021 budget priorities outlined for a joint session of lawmakers on Wednesday, Pritzker said that he was increasing funding for mental health and addiction treatment for a second year in a row, drawing the bulk of the new money from the proceeds of the state’s tax on legalized marijuana sales.

“For the second year in a row, I am proposing a substantial increase in mental health and addiction treatment services,” told legislators. “This 2021 budget includes a $40 million increase, funded in large part by revenues from the successful roll out of adult use cannabis, which dedicates 22 percent of cannabis taxes to these programs.”

Illinois Association and Behavioral Health CEO Sara Howe applauded Pritzker’s budget proposal.

“We thank Governor Pritzker for maintaining the integrity of the cannabis fund for behavioral health services by investing the sales tax proceeds in mental health and addiction treatment services,” said Howe. “The $40 million in new money will help enable community providers to provide needed care to families, women, and youth in crisis.”

Lawmakers must approve a budget by May 31, 2020.

davidormsby@davidormsby.com