Sangamon Sun

State Senators Sally Turner and Sue Rezin, together with McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder, have urged legislative action to address the fentanyl crisis. They presented four bills aimed at increasing penalties for traffickers, ensuring public safety, and properly identifying fentanyl-related deaths.

Senator Turner is advocating for stricter measures against fentanyl dealers through two legislative initiatives. Senate Bill 280 proposes making it a Class X felony, punishable by 9 to 40 years in prison and fines up to $250,000, for unlawfully selling or dispensing any scheduled drug containing fentanyl. It also suggests imposing a Class 1 felony with fines up to $100,000 for using electronic communication devices to facilitate fentanyl trafficking. Senate Bill 1569 seeks to increase mandatory prison sentences for fentanyl-related crimes by adding two years of imprisonment to the current sentence for manufacturing or delivering fentanyl.

“We must take a firm stance against those who knowingly sell this deadly drug in our communities,” said Senator Sally Turner. “Fentanyl is fueling the opioid epidemic, killing thousands, and leaving families devastated. These bills send a strong message that if you traffic fentanyl in Illinois, you will face serious consequences.”

Senator Rezin introduced two proposals targeting the crisis as well. Senate Bill 113 aims to enhance public safety by requiring defendants charged with manufacturing or delivering significant amounts of fentanyl to prove they do not pose a threat before being granted pretrial release. Senate Bill 1283 calls for classifying fentanyl-related deaths as “fentanyl poisonings” rather than overdoses.

“Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs we’ve ever encountered,” stated Senator Sue Rezin. “In my district, we saw a case where an individual was arrested with enough fentanyl to kill 1.5 million people and was released. This is unacceptable.”

McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder emphasized the devastating impact of fentanyl on communities.

“The fentanyl crisis is a crisis for everyone,” said Yoder. “What began as an opioid epidemic fueled by prescription medications has now evolved into a deadly wave of illicit synthetic opioids."

The proposed legislation marks critical steps in addressing the crisis according to the senators and Coroner Yoder. Senate Bills 280 and 1569 have been assigned to the Senate Criminal Law Clear Compliance Subcommittee; however, Senate Bills 113 and 1283 are yet to be assigned.