Attorney General Kwame Raoul, alongside a bipartisan coalition of states and other parties, has announced a settlement in principle with members of the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma Inc. The $7.4 billion agreement addresses the role they played in the opioid crisis. Illinois is set to receive up to approximately $154 million from this settlement.
The settlement aims to end the Sacklers' control over Purdue and their ability to sell opioids in the United States. It will also provide funding for communities across the country over 15 years to support opioid addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs. If approved by the court, this settlement will resolve Raoul's 2019 litigation against Purdue and individual Sackler family members.
"My priority has long been reaching a resolution that holds the Sackler family accountable for the devastation that addiction to their opioids caused tens of thousands of other families," Raoul stated. He emphasized that this effort was part of a bipartisan national endeavor.
Under the terms of the settlement, Purdue will continue under oversight by a monitor and will be barred from lobbying or marketing opioids. A board of trustees selected by participating states will determine Purdue's future operations.
Funds from the settlement are intended for distribution among participating states, local governments, affected individuals, and other parties who have previously sued Purdue or the Sacklers. Initial payments include $1.5 billion from the Sacklers and nearly $900 million from Purdue within three years.
Additionally, if approved, more than 30 million documents related to Purdue's business practices will be made public as part of compliance measures stemming from past legal judgments.
This announcement follows previous legal proceedings where a multistate settlement requiring over $5.5 billion payment was invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 due to liability shield issues for the Sacklers.
Members involved in this current agreement include eight heirs of Purdue founders Raymond and Mortimer Sackler: Richard, Kathe, Mortimer Jr., Ilene, David, Theresa Sackler; and estates of Jonathan and Beverly Sackler along with associated trusts and advisers.
Attorney General Raoul continues his efforts against deceptive pharmaceutical practices contributing to opioid misuse. National investigations have resulted in over $50 billion in settlements related to such cases so far.
For those seeking assistance with opioid addiction, Raoul advises contacting the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 833-2FINDHELP available around-the-clock.
Joining Attorney General Raoul are attorneys general from several states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas Vermont Virginia West Virginia.