The advisory referendum will appear on the November ballot in Cook County; Citizens Activated to Challenge Healthcare, a coalition of 67 agencies, fell short of the required 300,000 signatures for a statewide ballot initiative.

The "Treatment On Demand" initiative would provide Cook County residents with greater access to treatment, regardless of their economic status. Proponents hope the Cook County initiative would lead to the creation of a state program.

According to Sara Moscato of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, 1.5 million Illinois residents were unable to receive treatment last year because they couldn't afford it.

"Treatment on demand would ensure that there'd be enough state funding to provide addicts with an adequate level of care," Moscato said. "Right now, there isn't enough funding."

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