Illinois Senate committee discusses surge in opioid deaths Mansur Shaheen | Apr 1, 2021 Share this: Opioid overdoses have spiked in the state of Illinois since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year. As the COVID-19 pandemic nears its end, the state legislature is working to fight the long term effects it had on the opioid epidemic. The Senate Access and Availability committee heard testimony on Tuesday about the spike in opioid deaths that occurred last year. In 2020, more than 2,800 Illinois’ deaths could be attributed to opioids, a 30% increase over 2019. The highest death rate is among Black Illinoisan’s, though Hispanic residents of the state saw the largest increase year-over-year.