Pubdate: Wed, 18 May 2016
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 2016 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/82
Author: Monique Garcia, Contact Reporter

RAUNER GETS NEW MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION BILL

House lawmakers sent Gov. Bruce Rauner legislation on Wednesday to
decriminalize marijuana across Illinois, meaning people caught with
small amounts of marijuana would be fined instead of receiving jail
time.

The legislation incorporates changes the Republican governor suggested
when he used his amendatory veto powers to rewrite similar legislation
last year. Rauner said the old version would have let people carry too
much marijuana and set fines too low.

The new edition drops the number of grams allowed from 15 to 10 and
raises the range of fines from $55 to $125 to between $100 and $200.
Municipalities could add to the fines and implement other penalties,
such as a requirement for drug treatment. Citations would be
automatically expunged twice a year, on Jan. 1 and July 1.

Under current Illinois law, possession of up to 10 grams is a class B
misdemeanor that could result in up to six months in jail and fines of
up to $1,500.

"Illinois is long overdue for creating marijuana policies that treat
our residents more fairly and free law enforcement up for more serious
crime," sponsoring Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said in a statement.
"We should not spend our resources arresting and jailing people just
for the possession of a small amount of marijuana."

The bill also would loosen the state's zero-tolerance policy for
driving under the influence. As it stands, a driver can be charged if
any trace of marijuana is detected, even if it was ingested weeks
before and the driver shows no signs of impairment. Under the newest
proposal, drivers would not be charged with a DUI unless they have 5
nanograms or more of THC in their blood, or 10 nanograms or more of
THC in their saliva.

The legislation comes as Rauner and Democrats have found rare accord
as they seek to reduce the state's prison population.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D