Chambana Sun

The deadline for voting on House bills and moving the legislation to the Senate expired last week, but Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Watseka) said there is still much to be done in the dusk of the legislative session. 

In an update from the Illinois House GOP last week, Bennett also chastised the representative chamber for moving a bill that lowers certain drug possession and use charges from a felony to a misdemeanor. 

The legislation in question, House Bill 3447, amends the Criminal Identification Act to lower the possession of small amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and controlled opioids from a felony to a misdemeanor. 

"[This bill passed] in spite of strong opposition from our police and sheriffs," Bennett said. 

House Bill 3447 also provides that a convicted person can petition the court to have their records expunged for certain drug crimes. 

Democrats who introduced the bill said it was a step in the right direction to seek treatment and reform for drug addicts rather than conviction and punishment. 

House Republicans opposed the bill because they feel it would benefit drug dealers who should face charges. 

“People that will continue to flout the law and seek every chance they can to continue to damage lives beyond their own, because that is their path in life," Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), whose cousin reportedly died of a heroin and fentanyl overdose, said on the House floor, according to Capitol News Illinois. 

The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate, where 30 votes are needed for it to pass.