Springfield–(ENEWSPF)–April 13, 2011. Attorney General Lisa Madigan praised House members for their unanimous passage yesterday of House Bill 1908, which prohibits offenders who re-enter society after a methamphetamine-related conviction from purchasing or possessing any product containing pseudoephedrine.
“This legislation is another tool to help law enforcement protect our communities from the devastating effects of meth,” said Madigan. “Our goal is to make it more difficult for offenders to backslide into using or manufacturing meth.”
Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) sponsored the legislation and has worked tirelessly with the Attorney General on meth issues.
“I was honored to stand with Attorney General Madigan last October in Herrin when she announced this latest initiative to fight meth in southern Illinois and throughout the state,” Rep. Bradley said. “I have said many times that every battle needs a general, and Attorney General Madigan is our general in the battle against meth.”
Approved in the House by a vote of 115-0, the measure now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) will sponsor the legislation.
“I too stood with Attorney General Madigan last fall in Herrin when we discussed our intent for this bill, which is to ensure Illinoisans that repeat offenders of our methamphetamine laws are dealt with harshly,” said Sen. Haine.
The legislation focuses on individuals convicted of meth-related offenses who often continue to use and cook meth. In addition to banning the purchase or possession of any product containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient of meth, offenders would also be prohibited from purchasing or possessing any product containing ammonium nitrate, another key ingredient in meth production. The bill also mandates the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) issue a parole violation if an offender is again charged with a violation of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act or the Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act. The bill would also require IDOC to provide written notice to the Illinois State Police, local state’s attorneys and sheriffs of the pending release or discharge of any person convicted on meth charges.
Since assuming office in 2003, Attorney General Madigan has taken the lead in working with members of the General Assembly to enact laws that require stricter purchasing regulations of products containing pseudoephedrine and created meth-specific offenses that law enforcement agencies statewide have used to arrest and prosecute offenders.
Source: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
