Pubdate: Sat, 01 Jan 2005
Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL)
Copyright: 2005 Peoria Journal Star
Contact:  http://pjstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338
Author: Adriana Colindres
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NEW YEAR BRINGING A BUNDLE OF NEW LAWS

Illinois Raises School Dropout Age - And Minimum Wage

SPRINGFIELD - A state law that takes effect today changes Illinois' high
school dropout age from 16 to 17, keeping some students in the education
system for at least one extra year.

It is one of more than 120 new laws taking effect today.

Today also marks the effective date for a $1 increase in the state's
minimum wage, bringing the new level to $6.50 an hour. A
35-cent-an-hour minimum wage increase was implemented on Jan. 1, 2004.

At least three of the new laws target the state's continuing problems
with methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug that can be manufactured
with household ingredients.

One measure establishes two new criminal offenses: controlled
substance manufacturing arson and aggravated controlled substance
manufacturing arson. Tazewell County State's Attorney Stewart Umholtz
testified for the bill as it made its way through the legislative process.

Aggravated controlled substance manufacturing arson, the more serious
of the two offenses, will apply if the volatile process of making meth
injures another person or if the process damages a building where
someone lives. Someone convicted of that offense could be sentenced to
a prison term of up to 50 years.

Another new law restricts the sale of certain over-the-counter
medications, such as Sudafed and other cold remedies, which can be
used to manufacture the drug.

Individuals will be barred from buying more than two packages of such
medication during a single purchase. Retailers will have to follow new
rules on how to display medication that contains ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in meth.

A third new law expands the definition of child abuse or neglect to
include the manufacturing of methamphetamine when children are present.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin