Electronic Spring 2026 | Issue 66

State Legislative Update

By: Mark Peysakhovich, IPS Legislative Consultant

IPS Meets with Key Mental Health Lawmakers

Leaders of the Illinois Psychiatric Society (IPS) recently convened a working lunch with state Representatives Lindsay LaPointe and Tracy Katz Muhl, Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, of the Mental Health & Addiction Committee of the Illinois House of Representatives. The meeting presented a unique opportunity to strengthen IPS’ collaboration with these two key decision makers who play a leading role in setting Illinois’ mental health policies.

The meeting was hosted by IPS President Adrienne L. Adams, MD, at Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital, where Dr. Adams serves as Vice Chair of Education and Academic Affairs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

IPS invited the legislators to kick off the discussion by outlining their policy priorities for the current state legislative session in Springfield and how IPS’ advocacy can help advance those priorities. Each legislator also talked about the upcoming challenges and opportunities facing Illinois’ mental health sector. Both legislators expressed concerns about the impact of federal government funding cuts and other unexpected national policy changes on Illinois’ most vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing mental illness.

Following the legislators’ comments, IPS members talked about our policy priorities and the issues we’re addressing in Springfield. Much of the discussion focused on the best ways to increase adoption of the Collaborative Care Model of Care (CoCM) by providers throughout Illinois. Other discussion topics covered included IPS’ positions on proposals to legalize psilocybin therapy and to expand psychologist prescribing privileges in this state. This type of collaboration and information sharing with key influencers is an important part of IPS’ ongoing advocacy work. 

Spring is an especially busy time for members of the Illinois General Assembly, as they split their time between weekly legislative sessions at the state capitol in Springfield and the ever-present needs of their home districts. We are grateful for the time and attention these important legislative leaders were able to spend with IPS, and we look forward to working with them to improve and expand access to mental health services throughout Illinois.