LOCAL BILL TOUGHENS METH LAW

SPRINGFIELD - In the ongoing battle against the methamphetamine
epidemic State Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, has introduced a bill
that will increase the punishment for buying over-the counter
ingredients for methamphetamine production with a fake or borrowed ID.

The bill sailed through the Senate Judiciary Criminal Law Committee
last week. The vote was unanimous.

Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are ingredients found in
over-the-counter medicines that are vital ingredients in the
production of methamphetamine.

In recent years a number of laws have been put on the books to make
it more difficult for would-be methamphetamine makers to purchase
large quantities of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. One law requires
the person to show a photo ID and sign a log book when they purchase the items.

Sullivan was surprised to learn there were no laws allowing the state
to charge anyone with felonies for people using a fake ID to buy the
medicines. "At a meeting with local law enforcement last fall, I was
surprised to learn that criminals who use a fake ID to buy medicine
containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are not charged under the
criminal code," said Senator Sullivan. "With this legislation we send
the message that if you misrepresent your identity to buy the
ingredients to make meth, you face severe consequences."

Under current law, criminals face a misdemeanor when using a fake ID
to buy ingredients to make methamphetamine. The passage of Senate
Bill 55 would increase this to a Class 4 felony - one to three years
in prison/$25,000 fine - for first time offenders, a Class 3 felony -
two to five years/$25,000 fine - for a second offense, and a third or
subsequent offense would be a Class 2 felony, punishable by up to
three to seven years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

According to the bill, pharmacies and retail distributors, along with
the employee(s), who violate this act will also face stricter
penalties for first and repeat offenses.

Sullivan said his legislation is directed at closing a loophole that
allows "pill shoppers" using fake driver's licenses and other false
identification to avoid the purchase limit quantity restrictions
placed on medicines that contain chemicals used in the manufacture of
methamphetamine.

"This bill will provide another tool to help law enforcement in our
continued efforts to fight against the illegal production of meth by
creating stronger penalties for individuals using fraudulent
identification to purchase pseudoephdrine," said Master Sgt. Bruce
Liebe of the Illinois State Police who was in Springfield on
Wednesday to testify in support of Sullivan's proposal. "We at the
ISP are grateful that this bill would provide enhanced penalties for
criminals trying to beat the system and purchase large quantities of
meth precursors by using false identification."

Liebe is the ISP's leading meth expert and has served as an expert
witness in both state and federal court regarding methamphetamine
production and distribution.

The bill will now move to the full Senate for consideration.

(Review Atlas editor Stacey Creasy contributed to this report.)