Senate Approves Reis Meth Legislation

May 17, 2005

Springfield.... A bill dealing with restitution in the fight against methamphetamine sponsored by State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) was given approval in the Illinois Senate on Monday and now moves on to the governor's desk for his signature.   HB3507 provides that methamphetamine restitution shall be made to cover regular and overtime costs incurred by local law enforcement agencies as they continue to battle the epidemic that has hit hardest in the southern part of the state.

"This bill is the result of the Illinois House Republican Meth Crisis Task Force" said Reis, "and through testimony from local law enforcement agencies on how they must pay for the extra overtime, the surveillance, and the cost of capturing and cleaning up methamphetamine labs.   We want to make sure that local law enforcement and the private contractors who assist in securing and cleaning up sites of clandestine meth labs get paid first. "

County governments are facing the brunt of the cost of meth cases.   HB3507 provides that if restitution is ordered by the judge, local governments will get their money first, followed by state agencies and then federal agencies.   "We are very excited to be able to address this major problem facing the budgets of our local governments and in turn for our taxpayer dollars," said Reis.

After being stuck in a House subcommittee for a number of weeks before finally being approved by the House, HB3507 was one of a three meth related bills that were approved by the Senate on Monday.   Other meth legislation given approval in the upper chamber included HB3515 and HB3526 .

HB3515 provides for education seminars for judges throughout the state of Illinois on how to operate drug court programs with a specific emphasis on cases involving the illegal possession of methamphetamine.

HB3526 establishes a grant program to improve security at anhydrous ammonia facilities by encouraging the industry to utilize industry approved ammonia additives, install tank locking devices, or install security systems to prevent the use of anhydrous ammonia in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine.

"The production and use of methamphetamine while on the rise statewide is most prevalent in small rural communities" said Reis.   "This is due to better access to anhydrous ammonia, a key ingredient, and a lessened risk of discovery due to the distinct odors created during the manufacturing process.    Once put into law I believe these bills will definitely bring about much needed changes in combating this dreadful drug."