May 29, 2015

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) _ Bipartisan legislation intended to fight the heroin epidemic and prescription drug abuse in Illinois is headed to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk.

The measure would make emergency drugs that reverse heroin overdoses more available to those trained to use them. It also asks Illinois officials to begin a program to collect unused prescription drugs with local agencies. The proposal passed the Senate on Saturday with 46-4 vote. The House approved it without opposition earlier this week.

Republican lawmakers say they are concerned about one estimate of $58 million to pay for components of the legislation when Democrats are pushing through a more than $3 billion deficit budget.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly declined to say whether the governor will sign the measure.

http://fox2now.com/2015/05/30/illinois-lawmakers-ok-bill-fighting-heroin-abuse/