Join the Northern Illinois Recovery Movement!

Supporting Recovery, Building Resilience & Strengthening Communities

We are a Peer-Led, Peer-Driven
Recovery Community Organization

Our mission at Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization is to promote recovery principles for individuals and families in order to strengthen recovery advocacy, peer engagement, and community collaboration in the Northern Illinois area.

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SUPPORT

NIRCO provides peer-based recovery support services provided by individuals with lived experiences of substance use disorder, mental health, justice involvement, homelessness, and workforce challenges.

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advocacy

NIRCO spearheads advocacy efforts to educate and provide information about substance use disorders and recovery for policy makers and our community.

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EDUCATION

We facilitate education and training to inform our communities on recovery management, recovery capital, stigma reduction, NARCAN training, and health & wellness.

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ROsc

The Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care-Illinois Statewide Network works to
establish multiple ROSC Councils to assist communities with
building local recovery-oriented systems of care.

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Join the Northern Illinois Recovery Movement!

Join the Northern Illinois Recovery Movement and help empower our community members to know recovery is possible and rebuild their lives. Your story can create lasting change for those still suffering in silence.

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Our 2025 Impact in Numbers:

1,397

Community outreach contacts across Lake County, expanding access to recovery supports and resources.

472 Individuals received peer recovery support services through NIRCO’s programs.

750 individuals and families received free Narcan units to help prevent opoioid overdose and save lives.

20,889

Cumulative Peer Recovery Support Service Days Delivered to individuals in Lake County, IL.

NIRCO News:

Stay up to date on the latest recovery-focused news in Northern Illinois!

NIRCO Announces FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity with IDHS

The Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) is pleased to announce the release of its FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), made possible through funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). This competitive sub-grant opportunity is designed to support community-based organizations serving residents of the 60th Illinois House District in Lake County with programs that address critical community needs and advance equity, stability, a

Jan 14

NIRCO Recognized as Employer of the Year by the Waukegan Coalition to Reduce Recidivism

Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) is honored to receive the Employer of the Year Award from the Waukegan Coalition to Reduce Recidivism for our continued commitment to providing second-chance employment opportunities for justice- impacted individuals. The award was presented at the Coalition’s Annual Luncheon, where community partners gathered to celebrate local organizations that are creating pathways to stability, empowerment, and recovery for those

Oct 23, 2025