CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a national settlement in principle with Albertsons that, once final, would require the grocery chain to pay more than $773 million to address its role in the opioid crisis. In addition to the financial terms, a final settlement remains contingent on agreement on critical business practice changes.
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To date, national investigations and litigation against the pharmaceutical industry over the opioid crisis have led to more than $50 billion in settlements, with Illinois’ share at more than $1.4 billion.
“This settlement in principle with Albertsons will build upon the important progress we’ve already achieved through previous settlements to fight the ongoing opioid epidemic,” Raoul said. “I will continue to hold companies accountable while ensuring the resources Illinois receives through settlements are distributed equitably throughout the state to help fund the services needed to mitigate the impact of opioid addiction.”
The agreement would only be applicable to states in which Albertsons operates, both under its own name or under the name of other subsidiaries. In Illinois, Albertsons owns Jewel-Osco. The company also owns and operates other stores across the nation, including Safeway, Randalls, Shaw’s, Acme Markets and United Supermarkets.
While the parties have reached agreement on the total potential payment that Albertsons would make to eligible state and local governments, important negotiations remain, which include injunctive relief terms.
The settlement is the latest of Attorney General Raoul’s ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and hold accountable companies whose deceptive practices increased opioid prescriptions at the expense of public health. It comes after the multiple national settlements Raoul’s office has reached since 2022.
Joining Attorney General Raoul in leading these negotiations are the attorneys general of California, Colorado and Oregon.
