By AP/KWMU
Edwardsville, Illinois – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan wants to crack down on methamphetamine laboratories by doubling the penalties of drug makers who endanger children.
Prisons terms of convicted meth producers would range from six to 120 years under Madigan's proposal.
Meth lab seizures in Illinois rocketed 2,600-percent from 1997 through 2001. Madigan said 35 percent of those cases
involved children.
Madigan says mixing methamphetamine production and children is a "recipe for disaster." Freon, anhydrous amonia and other substances used in meth production can cause burns, poisoning and, in exteme cases, even death, she said.
The bill will be introduced in the Illinois Senate this week and could become law July 1, if approved.