By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed legislation in to law on Wednesday that will make it harder for people to buy cold medicines that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
Those ingredients are key components of the drug methamphetamine.
Stores will have to keep those cold medicines, including Sudafed, behind counters. Buyers will have to be at least 18 years old and sign a log with information available to police officers. They may buy no more than two packages of the medication at one time.
Drug dealers use the ingredients to make meth, a highly addictive and illegal drug.
The law is similar to one that went into effect in Missouri earlier this year. Supporters in Illinois said the tougher laws in surrounding states were making Illinois a better place for meth cooks to operate.