Ryan Signs New Laws To Battle Methamphetamine

CAMBRIDGE -- Governor George H. Ryan today signed legislation to strengthen the state's effort to wipe out the manufacture, delivery and possession of methamphetamines in Illinois.

"Controlled substances, especially methamphetamines, are a danger to the health of our communities and families," Ryan said. "This legislation will increase the punishment for anyone who possesses or intends to sell this dangerous drug.

Methamphetamines, known as "meth" or "crank", is one of the most prevalent illegal drugs in the Midwest because it is quick and easy to produce from unrestricted products and can be made in any building, shed, apartment or automobile.

In recent years the spread of methamphetamines has reached dangerous levels in Illinois, especially in rural Illinois. The drug can be cooked and on the streets in a matter hours. Manufacturers also are migrating into the state's forests and open spaces to make the drug - a dangerous situation because of the caustic nature of chemical by-products and the threat of explosions and fires.

House Bill 2347, signed by Ryan last week, amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act -- changing the minimum terms of imprisonment for manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver methamphetamines.

The act changes the minimum prison term for possessing, manufacturing or delivering between 400 and 900 grams of methamphetamines from six years to eight years and the minimum term of imprisonment for possessing, manufacturing or delivering over 900 grams of methamphetamines from six years to 10 years. The fine for the possession of methamphetamines may not exceed $200,000, or the full street value of the substance, whichever is greater.

HB 2347 was sponsored by state Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo; state representatives Richard Myers, R-Macomb; and Donald Moffitt, R-Galesburg. The law is effective January 1, 2000.

House Bill 376 amends the Criminal Code making it unlawful for any person to tamper with anhydrous ammonia equipment, containers or storage facilities. The bill also establishes this kind of tampering as a Class A Misdemeanor.

House Bill 376 was sponsored by state senators Judith Myers, R-Danville; Frank Watson, R-Carlyle; Larry Walsh, D-Joliet; Duane Noland, R-Decatur; Laura Donahue, R-Quincy; state representatives Mary O'Brien, D-Coal City; Kurt Granberg, D-Centralia; Ron Stephens, R-Troy; William Black, R-Danville; and Donald Moffitt, R-Galesburg. The law is effective January 1, 2000.

Senate Bill 105 amends the Code of Civil Procedure to provide that a person tampering with anhydrous ammonia equipment does not have a civil cause of action against the owner or user of the equipment who is using the chemical lawfully.

Senate Bill 105 was sponsored by state senators Frank Watson, R-Carlyle; Larry Walsh, D-Joliet; Duane Noland, R- Decatur; Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo; Evelyn Bowles, D-Edwardsville.

In the House, the bill was sponsored by state representatives William Black, R-Danville; Kurt Granberg, D-Centralia; Thomas Holbrook, D-Belleville; and Dan Reitz; D-Sparta. The law is effective January 1, 2000.

House Bill 1278 Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act prohibiting the possession of any methamphetamine manufacturing chemicals with an intent to manufacture meth. It establishes the following penalty structure:

House Bill 1278 was sponsored by state senators Evelyn Bowles, D-Edwardsville; Antonio Munoz, D-Chicago; state representatives Steve Davis, D-East Alton; Rick Winkel, R-Champaign; Lauren Beth Gash, D-Deerfield; Thomas Johnson, D-West Chicago; Mary O'Brien, D-Coal City; Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago; James Brosnahan, D-Oak Lawn; Thomas Dart, D-Chicago ; William Delgado, D-Chicago; James Durkin, R-Westchester; Eileen Lyons, R-LaGrange; Douglas Scott, D-Rockford; George Scully, D-Park Forest; Michael Smith, D-Canton; John Turner, R-Lincoln; Ann Zickus, R-Palos Hills; Richard Bradley, D-Chicago; Lovana Jones, D-Chicago; Patricia Reid Lindner, R-Sugar Grove; Monique Davis, D-Chicago; Thomas Holbrook, D-Belleville; Ronald Wait, R-Belvidere; and Philip Novak, D-Kankakee. The law is effective January 1, 2000.