The answer “We don’t have the money” does not wash with Sara Howe.

The chief executive officer of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association says the governor’s amendatory veto of what was touted as comprehensive heroin legislation is not acceptable. The part vetoed addresses $15 million to cover Medicaid treatment, but Howe says the state would actually save $58 million on the back end – health care costs.

Howe says heroin is cheap and easy to get, and prescription opiates are a gateway.

She expects an attempt to override the governor’s veto.

In other State news, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs isn’t affected by the state budget crisis according to its director, but it could be.

Department Director Erica Jeffries says both sides of the aisle agree that veterans and their families deserve support, so budget issues just aren’t there. Jeffries says that includes grants her agency gives not being frozen.

That said, Jeffries says her office could always use more money, but she’s glad she has what she does.
Jeffries says after a career in the military, she has what she would consider her dream job.