Calling it a major victory for law enforcement and communities, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan lauded the passage of her proposal to ensure that the state's restrictions on the sale of ingredients used to make methamphetamine are as tough as or tougher than those of surrounding states, according to a press release from her office. The bill now goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich for his signature.
The goal of the new restrictions is to keep Illinois from becoming a favored shopping stop for out-of-state meth makers looking to buy the pseudoephedrine or ephedrine needed to make meth. Illinois meth makers also will face significant new barriers in producing their deadly drug because of the increased restrictions on purchasing products.
If signed into law, the new restrictions will become effective on Jan. 15, 2006. State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, and State Sen. William Haine, D-Alton, proposed the legislation.
In a separate statement, State Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago, also applauded the passage of the bill. 'Meth is not just a problem for the rural parts of Illinois anymore,' McKeon commented. 'Meth is one of the fastest growing drug addictions in the city of Chicago and is an issue that must be addressed before it is too late.' S.B. 273 is one of several new laws McKeon has sponsored this year to prevent the spread of the crystal meth drug problem.