October 22, 2001

Raising awareness about the dangers of problem and compulsive gambling has long been a goal for State Representative Rosemary Mulligan (R- Des Plaines). Today Governor Ryan joined Rep. Mulligan in her battle to aid compulsive gamblers by announcing that the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) will formally launch the public awareness campaign on the initiative to help problem and compulsive gamblers.

" Raising awareness about the dangers of problem and compulsive gambling is the first step to dealing with the problems," Mulligan said. "I thank and congratulate Gov. Ryan for taking steps in the right direction. This has been a long time coming, and I am proud to see the hard work paying off."
Rep. Mulligan took aim at compulsive gambling problems in 1995 through PA 89-374 which directed the Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) to establish, subject to appropriation, a program to deal with the problem of compulsive gambling. The DASA has since been placed under the DHS.

"There is a community of people out there who have problems with gambling, and the Governor's initiative will help ensure that they get the support they need," said

DHS Secretary Linda Renee Baker. "The Governor's Office, DHS and UIS have worked hard to ensure that the best available resources have been put to use, and we will do everything we can to help Illinois' problem and compulsive gamblers overcome their adversities."

The initiative will raise awareness about the dangers of problem and compulsive gambling through a state-wide media campaign that is targeted to reach senior citizens, families of problem gamblers and youth gamblers. It will also provide for more than $2 million dollars of funds, which the Governor has pledged to raise awareness about available services.
The training aspect of the gambling initiative has educated more than 300 counselors and therapists, who are already experienced in addressing behavioral health disorders. The counselors and Therapists will deliver timely, culturally competent and effective individualized treatment within existing mental health and substance abuse programs.

Rep. Mulligan expressed her thanks to those involved in all the efforts, "This is not a problem that will go away instantly," Mulligan said. "The advertising campaign will improve awareness, and take us one step closer to our ultimate goal."
For more information, please contact State Representative Rosemary Mulligan at (847) 297-6533.