SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — GOP State Senators are looking to expand criminalization for fentanyl related crimes with a set of bills filed in Springfield.
The effort is spearheaded by Republican lawmakers to answer what they've called a "fentanyl crisis."
"Today we're not backing down-because our communities need action," State Sen. Sally Turner (R-Lincoln) said.
Turner, alongside State Sen. Sue Rezin (Morris), proposed four different bills. The first plan would increase criminal penalties for distributing and selling the drug. The second would increase the mandatory prison sentence. The third would require defendants to prove they're not a public threat when granted pretrial release and the fourth would re-classify fentanyl overdose deaths to fentanyl poisoning, as the lawmakers say many victims don't knowingly consume fentanyl.
Some of these proposals were filed around 2 years ago, but never made it pass both chambers. Any of these plans would need bipartisan support, as Illinois Democrats hold a super majority. Turner says she thinks they'll have a better shot this year.
"All my peers were very receptive of this because they know this affects everyone," Turner said. "If you don't know someone that's been tainted with fentanyl you will shortly."
Alongside the Senators was McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder. She said she's seen a rise of fentanyl being spliced into more drugs, and urged all Illinois lawmakers to address fentanyl related deaths.
"The fentanyl crisis is a crisis for everyone and every community," Yoder said. "We need a holistic approach that includes keeping this dangerous drugs off the street and holding those trafficking these drugs accountable."
Some of these bills have been assigned to committee, where lawmakers can talk about them in the future.
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
