Report says opioid overdose deaths are falling in Cook County, but experts are cautious
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
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In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
Far more Americans use illegal opioids like fentanyl than previously estimated, a new study found. It was previously thought less than 1% of Americans used illegal opioids; the new survey of adults found that number is above 11%,
A leaked budget shows the Trump administration plans to make major cuts to federal programs that combat substance abuse and opioid overdoses, as well as substance abuse treatment programs.
The U.S. Department of Justice has canceled more than 250 grants being used to address issues like opioid abuse, hate crime and gun violence.
Dr. Julie Nowinski Konchak, an addiction medicine physician with Cook County Health, joins Marie Saavedra to talk about what is making the difference in reducing opioid deaths.
The Pace Bus Company revealed new vending machines at its bus terminal in the southwest suburbs to help fight the opioid crisis.
Lawmakers applauded federal efforts to crack down on one of the most common opioids, illegal fentanyl.
More people die from opioid overdoses in Cook County than shootings and car accidents combined. County and community leaders hope to raise awareness about the issue.
This comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an overall decrease in opioid overdose deaths across the country for the first time since 2019.
The worry and fear is the number of overdoses will continue to increase – as has happened in Chicago in the past summer months. CBS 2's Darius Johnson reports.
The proposed law change comes after a CBS 2 story on one suburban woman's pills being taken by a stranger from her local CVS pharmacy.
Her story reveals the danger of such medication falling into the wrong hands amid a national opioid epidemic.
There is no requirement to show a photo ID in Illinois when it comes to picking up some highly addictive narcotics from pharmacies. Doris Jones tells CBS 2's Marie Saavedra she fears her pills are in the wrong hands.
So far, 90% of the opioid deaths in 2023 have involved fentanyl, a painkiller 50 times more powerful than heroin.
There are more opioid deaths in Cook County than murders, and overdoses are skyrocketing too.
There are more opioid deaths in Cook County than murders, and overdoses are skyrocketing too. Many of them happen outside 24-hour gas stations. Thus, the plan is to get the antidote to places where it is needed most. CBS 2's Jermont Terry reports.
Cook County commissioners have proposed a new resolution to increase treatment for opioid addiction.
"Anything that is life-saving should be accessible to everybody."
Some measures include adding more Narcan dispensers and overdose prevention sites.
With so many Americans addicted to opioids, Narcan is no match for the epidemic that is hitting a grim new milestone around Chicago.
The mobile unit will distribute first aid kits and Narcan, the FDA-approved medication to reverse opioid overdose.
The majority of the state's money will go to the Illinois remediation fund to be used for rehabilitation and recovery centers throughout the state.
Doctors said they worry about cost, especially if over-the-counter availability means fewer insurance companies are willing to cover the price.
Cook County is on track to break a record that no one wanted – 2022 will likely be the worst year on record for opioid overdose deaths.
Last year, the city saw more than 1,400 opioid overdose deaths, that's the most in the city's history.
A Delta Air Lines flight landing in Chicago was hit by a firework as it was coming to land at Midway International Airport on Saturday.
Police early Sunday were investigating a slashing that left a man wounded on a Chicago Transit Authority bus.
An extra-alarm fire broke out in a building on Chicago's Near South Side early Sunday morning.
Chicago police early Sunday were investigating multiple shootings, including one that wounded multiple people on the city's West Side.
Skylar Diggins led Chicago (6-14) with 19 points and Kamilla Cardoso had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
President Trump hasn't committed to a firm number of people who will receive clemency — he's scheduled to have a meeting on pardons Friday afternoon, sources said.
Dr. Debra Houry, who resigned in protest from the health agency, said the spread of misinformation impacted lives.
David Hearn is accused of ripping out a piece of sealant on the bottom of the Reflecting Pool on June 19, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is making moves to remove state Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) from office.
Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas DePodesta, who has led FBI Chicago for the past three years, is leaving his post on July 6.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul this week warned residents cleaning up from last month's storms to be on the lookout for scams.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed several new consumer protections into law, including a ban on junk fees.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
The north Chicago suburb of Glenview became the latest Illinois municipality this week to confirm mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus this year.
Environmental and community groups are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to act on a petition challenging U.S. Steel Gary Works operating permit renewal.
In the four years since Roe v. Wade was overturned and Illinois became a destination for abortion care, Illinois providers and advocates have rebuilt the state's infrastructure to support the tens of thousands of people who travel to the state for abortion services every year.
June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, raising awareness of a disorder that affects a person's ability to speak, write, and understand both spoken and written language.
The Chicago Bears this weekend said they are assessing land at Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, Indiana, for a possible new stadium.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
Daley's Restaurant, known as Chicago's oldest, has served Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood for more than 130 years.
Walgreens is set to close in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, and there's growing concern about where families will get their medications.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were married as they celebrated their wedding with hundreds of guests Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Renowned singer-songwriter and Chicago-area native John Prine will be honored with a mural at the Old Town School of Folk Music in the Lincoln Square community.
Victor Willis, lead singer of the disco group Village People, whose hit "Y.M.C.A." became a fixture at rallies for President Trump, has died at the age of 74, his wife and the band said.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding plans include a rehearsal dinner and a late-night celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City, according to sources familiar with the security planning.
Chicago rapper Twista has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to pay income taxes.
Police in the southwest Chicago suburb of Bridgeview warned people to be careful this July 4th weekend after multiple people were injured while lighting fireworks.
A Delta Airlines flight landing in Chicago was hit by a firework as it was coming to land at Midway International Airport on Saturday night.
Police early Sunday were investigating a slashing that left a man wounded on a Chicago Transit Authority bus.
An extra-alarm fire broke out in a building on Chicago’s Near South Side early Sunday morning.
Chicago police early Sunday were investigating multiple shootings, including one that wounded multiple people on the city's West Side. Asal Rezaei reports.
Chicago police early Sunday were investigating multiple shootings, including one that wounded multiple people on the West Side.
A Delta Air Lines flight landing in Chicago was hit by a firework as it was coming to land at Midway International Airport on Saturday.
Police early Sunday were investigating a slashing that left a man wounded on a Chicago Transit Authority bus.
An extra-alarm fire broke out in a building on Chicago's Near South Side early Sunday morning.
The tree ended up through the windshield, just centimeters from the passenger's face.
About 13,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in 2025, and with America's 250 birthday celebration about to start, doctors worry even more people could get hurt this year.
A new AI-powered tool being used by some police departments claims to turn a shell casing into an investigative lead in under 24 minutes.
University of Illinois - Chicago scientists took their lab work to the streets of the South Side during this week's heat wave, checking on tree cover and tree health in some of Chicago's more vulnerable neighborhoods.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
An Uber driver who was assaulted during a ride said he begged Chicago police officers not once but twice for help, but was left to fend for himself.
Skylar Diggins led Chicago (6-14) with 19 points and Kamilla Cardoso had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Nathan Church and Masyn Winn hit three-run homers and the St. Louis Cardinals had 17 hits overall to beat the Chicago Cubs 17-1.
Brayan Rocchio hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the Cleveland Guardians a 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a four-game series between the top two teams in the AL Central.
The Cubs (49-38) have won five straight after sweeping the Padres (43-42), who have lost five in a row.
Dean Kremer pitched six impressive innings in his return from a quad injury, and the Baltimore Orioles avoided a sweep Wednesday with a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Police early Sunday were investigating a slashing that left a man wounded on a Chicago Transit Authority bus.
Chicago police early Sunday were investigating multiple shootings, including one that wounded multiple people on the city's West Side.
Chicago police are looking for three men who targeted four businesses in Bridgeport and Bronzeville overnight, on the hunt for ATMs and cash registers.
Two people are dead, and one is injured after a shooting at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn, Michigan, on Friday.
A man was ordered detained Thursday after the shooting death of an employee at an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Matteson, Illinois, earlier this week.
