LAW STIFFENS ECSTASY PENALTY

SPRINGFIELD--Gov. Ryan signed legislation Monday that severely toughens the
penalty for selling a party drug popular among teens and college-age adults
known as Ecstasy.

Having seen its use surge in Chicago and the collar counties, authorities
moved to curb its availability after numerous teens across the state died
after taking the drug.

"Illinois and our communities are being flooded by this and, today, we're
acting to stem the flow,'' Ryan said during a bill-signing ceremony in his
Springfield office.

The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, means an offender could face a
Class X penalty for selling 15 or more Ecstasy tablets. Now, anyone selling
that amount would likely receive probation.

The Class X status, which allows for imprisonment for as long as 30 years,
is permitted under current law only for those caught selling 900 or more
Ecstasy pills.

Pushed by DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett, the measure was
nicknamed "Kelley's Law" after 23-year-old Kelley Baker died from an
Ecstasy overdose.

Her parents, along with another couple whose child died after taking
Ecstasy, joined Ryan on Monday in praising the new law.

"Education can still go on,'' said Baker's stepfather, Steve Patton, of
Springfield. "But we need to make sure these kids have a chance to be educated."