Chestnut Health Systems

A recovery program in McLean County has shifted to virtual sessions to support people battling addiction.

UPDATED 11:15 a.m. | President Trump on Friday signed an historic $2 trillion economic recovery package into law.

Millions of Americans struggling with addiction rely on the support of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. But due to the strict social distancing measures of COVID-19, many groups have suspended face-to-face meetings. The changes in procedure have some experts worried that people in recovery may be at risk.

For the 99,000 women incarcerated in U.S. prisons, the path to the criminal justice system is littered with broken relationships, physical and sexual abuse, and addiction.

A substance abuse treatment program that has helped reduce alcohol and marijuana use rates among Bloomington-Normal high school students plans to start taking that outreach to junior high schools.

Chestnut Health Systems of Bloomington will be taking part in a national study that aims to curb opioid abuse among recently released prisoners.

McLean County will open a behavioral health triage center next year, filling a gap in adult psychiatric services after the Center for Human Services closed its doors to new clients earlier this month.

Illinois State University's Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) received a $2.8 million grant to fund a new project that will educate student nurses on preventative practice.

A 33-year-old Bloomington woman recovering from opioid addiction at Chestnut Health Systems says additional residential treatment centers are needed, as well as better support for those leaving treatment to return to their communities.

Chestnut Health Systems is selling off the division that focuses on employee assistance programs.

Chestnut Health Systems has chosen its new CEO.  

Current Chief Clinical Officer Dave Sharar will take over as CEO on Jan. 7 when Russ Hagen retires after several decades with the not-for-profit health agency.

Sharar also has a long tenure at Chestnut. A statement from board Chair Judy Smithson indicates Sharar's experience in many of the lines of business and that the leadership skills he has exhibited over 29 years are valued.

The longtime leader who helped Chestnut Health Systems grow from a small drug treatment program into a health and wellness organization with global reach has announced plans to retire.