Welcome to Illinois:
Educated & Empowered

CRCC is proud to launch "Illinois: Educated & Empowered," a statewide initiative designed to spread awareness and education about Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Co-Occurring Disorders (COD). This campaign is tailored to reach five distinct regions in Illinois, with the goal of connecting with 500,000 individuals and their loved ones in just one year.

We envision an Illinois where stigma no longer stands in the way of recovery, and every individual affected by Substance Use Disorders and Co-Occurring Disorders is empowered through education, understanding, and access to life-saving resources. Our goal is to create a future where communities are united in fostering empathy, supporting harm reduction, and advocating for compassionate, inclusive recovery services statewide.

Empowering Recovery, Breaking Stigma: Illinois United for Change

Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower individuals and communities across Illinois by delivering targeted, culturally responsive public awareness campaigns that break the stigma surrounding Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Co-Occurring Disorders (COD). Through education, collaboration, and the sharing of personal stories, we aim to promote compassionate understanding, harm reduction strategies, and access to critical recovery resources. We strive to create a healthier, more empathetic society where every person affected by substance use is supported on their journey to recovery.

Vision Statement

We envision an Illinois where stigma no longer stands in the way of recovery, and every individual affected by Substance Use Disorders and Co-Occurring Disorders is empowered through education, understanding, and access to life-saving resources. Our goal is to create a future where communities are united in fostering empathy, supporting harm reduction, and advocating for compassionate, inclusive recovery services statewide.

Recovery Educated & Empowered Committee (REEC) adjustments on this site

Developing Campaigns by and for the Community
CRCC’s Recovery Educated & Empowered Committee (REEC) will develop and enhance our campaigns. Composed of six partner organizations specializing in serving key populations, the REEC brings together individuals, family members, and advocates to collaborate on campaign ideas. Monthly meetings ensure that our campaigns stay relevant, impactful, and community-driven.

To maximize the program's effectiveness, CRCC will strategically partner with the following nonprofit, peer-run SUD/COD-focused community organizations. All program partners currently support both target populations for this project. They are each located in Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) regions #1 through #5. These partners are instrumental in ensuring comprehensive statewide coverage and include:

CRCC (Chicago Recovering Community Coalition), covers Cook County & South Central Illinois (Region 1 & 4)
NIRCO (Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization), covers Northern Illinois (Region 2)
Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery (SVVOR), covers Northern Illinois (Region 2)
Perfectly Flawed Foundation (PFF), covers North Central Illinois (Region 3)
Take Action Today (TAT), covers Southern Illinois (Region 5)
Live4Lali, a Statewide Harm Reduction Organization

Who We Serve

This statewide campaign is designed to support two key at-risk groups:

Emerging Adults (Ages 18-25): This population is particularly vulnerable as they transition into adulthood, often encountering new challenges related to mental health, substance use, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). We pay special attention to Non-Hispanic Black emerging adults, who face higher rates of overdose fatalities and other risk factors.
Adults Over 21 Legally Permitted to Use Substances: As Illinois expands its cannabis legalization, CRCC is focused on raising awareness about responsible use, potential risks, and available treatment options. Many individuals in this group are also at risk due to underlying mental health conditions, neurodivergence, and familial histories of substance use.

Statewide Reach

Our campaign will engage communities across all 102 counties in Illinois, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach. By collaborating with local partners, recovery organizations, and treatment centers, we will spread important messages to help individuals understand substance use risks and find the right support when needed.

Why This Matters

Illinois faces significant challenges related to substance use, with thousands of residents affected by opioid addiction, alcohol use, and increasing cannabis use. According to SAMHSA, over 36,000 treatment admissions were reported in 2020 alone for substance use disorders, including heroin, alcohol, marijuana, and methamphetamines. Yet, 80 percent of Illinois residents who need substance use treatment still don’t receive it.

Through this campaign, CRCC is working to close this gap by educating communities, reducing stigma, and providing clear pathways to help. We believe every individual deserves access to recovery services, and we are here to make that a reality.

How to Get Involved

CRCC welcomes individuals, organizations, and community members who want to support our public awareness campaign. Whether you’re looking for resources, want to learn more, or wish to collaborate with us to extend our reach, we invite you to join us.