State Senators Sally Turner (R-Beason) and Sue Rezin (R-Morris), joined by McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder, are calling for urgent legislative action to combat the fentanyl crisis in Illinois. At a press conference today, they outlined four bills aimed at cracking down on traffickers, strengthening public safety, and properly identifying fentanyl-related deaths.
Senator Turner is leading efforts with two bills that would increase penalties for fentanyl dealers. Senate Bill 280 proposes a Class X felony for unlawful fentanyl sales, carrying up to 40 years in prison and fines up to $250,000, while Senate Bill 1569 increases mandatory prison sentences for fentanyl-related crimes.
“We must take a firm stance against those who knowingly sell this deadly drug,” said Turner.
Senator Rezin is also introducing legislation to ensure public safety and accurate classification of fentanyl deaths. Senate Bill 113 would require stricter pretrial release conditions for fentanyl traffickers, and Senate Bill 1283 seeks to label fentanyl-related deaths as “poisonings” rather than overdoses.
“In my district, someone was arrested with enough fentanyl to kill 1.5 million people and was released. That’s unacceptable,” Rezin stated.
McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder emphasized the growing dangers of fentanyl, noting that some synthetic opioids cannot be reversed by naloxone.
“This crisis demands prevention, treatment, and accountability,” said Yoder.
Two of the bills have been assigned to the Senate Criminal Law Clear Compliance Subcommittee, while the others await committee assignment. Lawmakers urged swift action to address the ongoing fentanyl epidemic.
