New law requires Illinois libraries to supply overdose medication

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Beginning in the new year, all libraries in Illinois will be required to have medications available for people experiencing an opioid overdose and to train their staff to recognize the signs of an overdose.

House Bill 1910 was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on Aug. 1. It requires that all public libraries in the state have a supply of opioid antagonists in an accessible location. Opioid antagonists, like naloxone, are medications that can block or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

The new law also requires that libraries take all “reasonable steps necessary” to ensure that at least one person present during operating hours has completed opioid overdose training. This training should include how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, including how to administer an opioid antagonist.

The training can either be done by an organization recognized for providing opioid overdose training or created by the library using resources online from the Department of Public Health.

You can read more about the bill here. The law officially goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.