Reis’ Meth Legislation Advances through Committee and Full House

October 26, 2005

Springfield.….This week, the House Judiciary II committee voted 16-0 in favor of proposed methamphetamine legislation that would require people to show identification when purchasing Sudafed or other kinds of cold and sinus medications. The measure also State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) is a member of the committee and a sponsor of the legislation. Senate Bill 273 also forces customers to sign a logbook before buying the medications.

“This legislation is extremely important in our fight against meth manufacturers” said Reis “especially in the rural areas that have been hardest hit.  This law, if passed by the Senate will bring Illinois’ meth laws in line with our neighboring states.”  Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana have already implemented requirements where I.D cards and sign-in procedures are mandatory.

“We have worked this proposal very hard this summer because the current laws in Illinois are very attractive to out of state meth-makers” Reis said.  “We need to put up these roadblocks and make it much more difficult for the manufacturers of this dangerous drug to obtain the ingredients.”

Reis said that many downstate pharmacies have already voluntarily implemented the requirements found in SB273. “And now, there will be statewide restrictions that prevent the key ingredient Sudafed from being so easily obtainable.”

After advancing out of committee the bill passed in the full House by a unanimous vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration. If approved and signed by the Governor, the bill will take effect on January 1, 2006.