(The Center Square) – Some Republican lawmakers want to go after those who deal fentanyl in Illinois.
Saying it is time to address the fentanyl crisis, GOP lawmakers, including state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, introduced a package of bills that includes increasing penalties for distributing and selling the drug, and reclassifying fentanyl overdose deaths to fentanyl poisoning.
“It’s no different than any other poison out there,” said Rezin. “To enter into our communities and kill our children, we should be outraged.”
State Sen. Sally Turner, R-Lincoln, has introduced legislation that would increase penalties for fentanyl dealers to a Class X felony for unlawful fentanyl sales, carrying up to 40 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
“A packet of sugar that you get at a restaurant, that’s about two milligrams,” said Turner. “If you compare that to two milligrams of fentanyl, that little packet could kill 500 people. Think about that. That’s how important this is.”
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder said she is seeing more instances of fentanyl being mixed with a wider variety of drugs.
“Fentanyl is now being mixed with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and at times, marijuana,” said Yoder. “A person should assume that most illicit drugs contain fentanyl.”
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl decreased by 9.5% in 2023. State officials note several factors likely contributed to the decline, including sustained efforts to increase naloxone distribution throughout the state, and the availability of fentanyl test strips and other drug checking technologies.
“We’ve had a decrease in fentanyl deaths, but considering where we were to where we need to be, we’re nowhere near being able to take a victory lap,” said Rezin.
If you or someone you know has an opioid use disorder, there is help, including treatment, available immediately, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the Medication Assisted Recovery Now (MAR NOW) service, a care manager can help callers determine the best treatment options and connect them to a provider for an immediate telephone appointment and medication prescription.
