Consider impact of rehab plan on small town

In my first few months representing the 45th District, I have made it a top priority to fight for our families and support initiatives that are most important to them. Recently, residents have been reaching out to my office regarding the proposed Haymarket facility to replace the Holiday Inn-Itasca.

I support developing true, comprehensive solutions to address the opioid epidemic that has become a true crisis in our country and in DuPage County. And while both the proponents of the Haymarket plan and those with concerns share a commitment to addressing the opioid epidemic and providing access to comprehensive addiction treatment, the solutions we need cannot have such a negative economic impact on so many residents of our district, both in the loss of tax revenue and potential increased emergency response costs.

While we have a responsibility to fund these essential services, the plan needs to be financially sound to ensure that hardworking, middle-class families do not have to carry the load.

Itasca is a village of 8,700 people on the outskirts of DuPage County, whose residents recently passed a referendum to strengthen funding for their one-ambulance Fire Department. This is a less-than-ideal location. It's not fair for DuPage County to ask the residents of one of its smallest municipalities to shoulder the financial burden of a countywide facility, and while the residents of DuPage County deserve to have access to addiction-treatment services, the supporters of Haymarket need to help develop a solution to the revenue loss incurred by the village. If they cannot develop a plan that addresses this issue, then Haymarket should relocate to another community.

I am committed to working with all interested parties to ensure that all residents feel heard during this debate. If you would like to discuss this issue further with me, please feel free to contact my office.

State Rep. Diane Pappas

Itasca