Illinois to Receive $40 Million in Opioid Settlement with Kroger
State to Receive $40 Million Share of $1.37 Billion Settlement
A national settlement agreement with Kroger over the opioid crisis has been finalized, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office announced Monday.
Settlement Terms
Under the agreement, Illinois will receive more than $40 million of the $1.37 billion that the grocery chain agreed to pay in the deal, Raoul’s office said. The majority of Illinois’ money will go to the Illinois Remediation Fund to be used for drug abatement programs throughout the state.
Attorney General’s Statement
“This settlement ensures Kroger is held accountable and allows resources to reach communities hardest hit by this ongoing opioid crisis that continues to affect all corners of America,” Raoul said in a statement. “I am proud of the bipartisan work attorneys general continue to do to hold the companies accountable for fueling the opioid epidemic, and I am committed to ensuring that funding is distributed equitably throughout the state to help fund services needed to mitigate the opioid addiction crisis.”
Kroger’s Response
Kroger agreed to the settlement in September 2023, and Illinois was among 30 states whose attorneys general signed on. The company would not admit wrongdoing or liability as part of the deal and has said it will continue to defend against any other lawsuits related to opioids that the agreement doesn’t cover.
Funding and Opioid Crisis
The majority of Illinois’ money will go to the Illinois Remediation Fund to be used for drug abatement programs throughout the state. National settlement agreements have also been reached with companies such as Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.
Opioid-Related Deaths in Cook County
In Cook County, opioid-related deaths skyrocketed in 2020. Cook County recorded 1,821 opioid-related deaths in 2023. That figure was down slightly from its record of 2,001 in 2022. Opioid-related deaths totaled 1,295 in 2019 and jumped sharply at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Opioid deaths disproportionately affect the county’s Black and Brown communities.
Conclusion
The settlement is a step towards holding companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis and providing resources to affected communities. The Illinois Remediation Fund will play a crucial role in supporting drug abatement programs throughout the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the total amount of the settlement?
A: The total amount of the settlement is $1.37 billion.
Q: How much will Illinois receive from the settlement?
A: Illinois will receive more than $40 million from the settlement.
Q: What will the majority of Illinois’ money be used for?
A: The majority of Illinois’ money will go to the Illinois Remediation Fund to be used for drug abatement programs throughout the state.
Q: What other companies have reached national settlement agreements over the opioid crisis?
A: National settlement agreements have also been reached with companies such as Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.
Q: How has the opioid crisis affected Cook County?
A: Opioid-related deaths in Cook County have skyrocketed in recent years, with a sharp increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opioid deaths disproportionately affect the county’s Black and Brown communities.
