Afternoon Briefing: Illinois’ opioid settlement fund slow to distribute millions

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Legal settlements with prescription painkiller manufacturers, distributors and sellers have put Illinois in line for some $1.3 billion in payouts intended to help in fighting an opioid crisis that’s still killing tens of thousands of Americans every year. The payouts stem from multistate agreements with major drug distributors, manufacturers and household names such as CVS, Walgreens, and Johnson and Johnson. Nationwide, more than $50 billion is expected from the settlements, according to KFF Health News, which tracks the money.

But so far, the flow of settlement money to organizations in Illinois has remained barely a trickle. A complex bureaucratic process for distributing the funds has put only a tiny fraction of the money into the hands of organizations dealing with the crisis.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Ask Amy

Gail Wise behind the wheel of the first Ford Mustang sold in the United States, which she purchased 60 years ago this month as a fresh-out-of-college school teacher. (Pam DeFiglio/Pioneer Press)

Park Ridge woman still owns the first Ford Mustang sold in the US, 60 years ago

Gale Wise never intended to be a pace-setter with the Mustang, the sporty model which caused a stir with young people because it was so different from their parents’ huge sedans of the time. She simply wanted a new convertible. Read more here.

More top news stories:

An employee brings shopping carts into a Jewel Osco grocery store in Niles on Nov. 4, 2022. (Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune)
An employee brings shopping carts into a Jewel Osco store in Niles on Nov. 4, 2022. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Kroger and Albertsons will sell off more Illinois stores in updated divestiture plan

Under federal scrutiny over their plans to merge, supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons said they will sell off about 20 more Illinois grocery stores than originally planned in an updated divestiture plan announced Monday. Read more here.

More top business stories:

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, left, slides into second base past Chicago White Sox shortstop Nicky Lopez to advance after a throwing error on a pickoff attempt during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper, left, slides into second base past Chicago White Sox shortstop Nicky Lopez to advance after a throwing error on a pickoff attempt during the first inning Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Chicago White Sox extend worst start in franchise history — 3-18 — with 8-2 loss to Philadelphia Phillies

While the offensive struggles — such as being last in the majors in runs (45) and getting shut out seven times — are well-documented, the Sox didn’t do themselves any favors defensively Sunday. Read more here.

More top sports stories:

Chris Apassingok (front) and friend as seen in the documentary "One with the Whale." (Independent Lens/PBS)
Chris Apassingok, front, and friend in the documentary “One with the Whale.” (Independent Lens/PBS)

‘One with the Whale’ review: Climate change and animal activists threaten an Indigenous Alaskan community

The PBS series Independent Lens shows life in Gambell, a small island village where centuries-old hunting traditions are attacked by outsiders. Read more here.

More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

FILE - Former President Donald Trump attends jury selection at Manhattan criminal court in New York, April 15, 2024. Trump's criminal hush money trial involves allegations that he falsified his company's records to hide the true nature of payments to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who helped bury negative stories about him during the 2016 presidential campaign. He's pleaded not guilty. (Jeenah Moon/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Former President Donald Trump attends jury selection at Manhattan criminal court in New York, April 15, 2024. (Jeenah Moon/Pool Photo via AP)

Trump tried to ‘corrupt’ the 2016 election, prosecutor alleges as hush money trial gets underway

Trump arrived at the courthouse shortly before 9 a.m., minutes after castigating the case in capital letters on social media as “election interference” and a “witch hunt.” Read more here.

More top stories from around the world:

Related posts