Sangamon Sun

Illinois Sen. Sally Turner recently discussed Senate Bill 4221, a bill she introduced in August.

"It is our impassioned hope that this will address the overwhelming increase of overdosing and dying from fake pills that are made to look like prescription opioids or stimulants," Turner said.

Turner went into more details pertaining to the plan and talked about the problems posed by fake prescriptions. 

"Senate Bill 4221 would expand a controlled substance trafficking offense to create a new class 1 felony, which would come with a fine of $100,000 for anyone using an electronic communication device in the furtherance of controlled substance trafficking involving a substance containing any amount of fentanyl," Turner said. "This fake prescription pill that is marketed and sold on social media and e-commerce has been made available to anyone with a smartphone including our children. We must do everything we can to combat this ongoing epidemic before it becomes too late. Each day that we do nothing more lives are lost. I truly believe in my heart that this bill is without question necessary and the very least we can do is to protect our citizens and families and children that call Illinois their home."

The bill amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and makes changes so that a person who knowingly and unlawfully sells or dispenses any scheduled drug containing a detectable amount of fentanyl is guilty of a Class X felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than nine years and not more than 40 years or fined not more than $250,000.

Turner was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2021. A Republican, her legislative experience includes serving on the Ethics Committee and Senate Higher Education Committee.