Lake County Gazette

Lake County Board District 13 candidate Ben Grum is calling for a more robust approach to address the fentanyl crisis, as new data reveals a spike in both overdose deaths and suicides associated with the drug. 

Grum, a Lake Forest Police Commander, said a more balanced strategy is needed to combat the influx of fentanyl into the community.

“It comes as no surprise that suicides and overdoses in Lake County are on the rise,” Grum told Lake County Gazette. “During my visit to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office with Congressional Candidate Jim Carris, I witnessed firsthand the alarming increase in fentanyl crossing the border. This crisis is largely due to the lack of a cohesive border policy.” 

Lake County's 2023 report from the Coroner’s Office highlights a troubling rise in overdose deaths, particularly those linked to fentanyl, with 135 reported fatalities—a 3% increase from the previous year. 

Fentanyl-related overdoses alone rose by 5%, underscoring the ongoing opioid epidemic's severity in the community. 

The report also noted that most overdose deaths were accidental, with a significant number involving a mixture of drugs, including fentanyl combined with cocaine. 

Alongside rising overdose rates, suicides increased by 6%, prompting calls for enhanced mental health resources and community collaboration to combat these preventable deaths.

“As someone with over 20 years of law enforcement experience, I’ve seen a disturbing rise in fentanyl cases,” Grum said. “What’s even more concerning is the emergence of fentanyl being cut into drugs not typically associated with it—such as ecstasy, oxycodone, and even marijuana.”

Grum is challenging incumbent Chair Sandy Hart in the 13th District election, drawing on his 20 years of law enforcement experience and local community involvement.

“Unlike my opponent on the Lake County Board, I have the firsthand experience and insight needed to deliver real, impactful results,” Grum said. 

As the election approaches, Grum said he is determined to bring attention to the urgent need for a multifaceted strategy to combat the drug crisis in Lake County. 

“We cannot afford to ignore the realities of this epidemic,” he said. “Our community deserves a comprehensive response that prioritizes both the enforcement of laws and the support for recovery.” 

Grum pointed out that while Lake County has made strides in prevention and education—highlighted by the successful “A Way Out” program initiated by former State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim—there is a significant gap in enforcement. “Lake County has only pursued a handful of drug-induced homicide cases, while surrounding counties like McHenry have taken a much more aggressive stance,” Grum said. “This gap in enforcement has two major consequences.” 

“First, while we’re helping victims of addiction through rehabilitation programs, these individuals often return to the same streets where the criminals who preyed on them continue to operate, causing them to fall victim again. Second, by not aggressively prosecuting these offenders, we leave dangerous criminals free to target new, vulnerable victims—many of whom are our children.”

Addressing the need for a comprehensive approach to the drug crisis, Grum highlighted the proposal by Mary Cole, a Lake County State’s Attorney candidate, to implement a drug-induced homicide task force. 

“Mary Cole has taken a firm stance on this issue, and I support the idea of a task force that collaborates with law enforcement, the State’s Attorney’s office, drug rehabilitation centers, and mental health professionals,” he said. “This approach is crucial to ensuring that offenders are prosecuted, allowing victims to fully recover and break the cycle of addiction.”

Earlier this year Cole praised the Lake County Sheriff's Office for their efforts in combating illegal drug distribution, particularly through the Special Investigations Group (SIG). She highlighted the significant drug seizures made by SIG in 2023, including over 17,000 fentanyl-laced pills and nearly 10 pounds of cocaine, emphasizing their impact on community safety. 

Cole, who is running against incumbent Eric Rinehart, positions herself as a staunch supporter of law enforcement and aims to enhance collaboration to address drug-related issues. Her campaign focuses on accountability and compassion, contrasting her approach with Rinehart’s perceived political prioritization.

Rinehart is an activist State’s Attorney who has been reluctant to bring cases against arrestees and has received heavy campaign support from entities linked to George Soros. 

Grum’s advocacy for a dual approach to the drug crisis—combining both enforcement and rehabilitation—stresses the importance of recognizing the complexity of the problem. 

“We’ve gone from relying solely on law enforcement to fight the war on drugs to focusing almost exclusively on rehabilitation,” he said. “Until we recognize that both enforcement and rehabilitation are equally essential, we won’t make meaningful progress in tackling this crisis.” 

Grum strongly opposes the Illinois Safe-T Act claiming it has not improved safety in the region and has criticized Rinehart for being the only current state’s attorney candidate to support it. 

He has argued that the legislation allows dangerous defendants to avoid pretrial detention and was rushed through without adequate review or input from law enforcement experts. 

Grum, a lifelong Lake County resident and father of two, has actively participated in local governance through various boards, including the Montessori School of Lake Forest and the Lake Bluff Youth Baseball Board. He holds an Associate's Degree in Fire Science Management, a Bachelor's Degree in Business, and an MBA with a minor in Human Resources.